extra curricular activities??

Applying to College
1

<p>I am wondering what kind and how many ECs are a good amount to have and be involved in if I am aiming to be accepted into a more selective school such as Boston College? (I'm still not 100% sure what schools I am aiming for, but I really love BC so far)</p>

<p>I am going to be a junior at a public high school this coming year and this is what I have been involved in currently:
-dance (jazz, ballet, pointe at least 3 hours/wk total, 2 yrs so far, will continue through senior year)
-Royal Academy of Dance Exam Grade 5 Merit completion (will take the next level exam as well)
-key club (editor officer position, 90 total hours so far, very involved as an officer, 2 yrs and will continue)
-for junior and senior year I will be in an organization called PALs where I will be mentoring an elementary student, and participating in more volunteer work. (This is a program through my school that is pretty selective)
-I have been nominated for the Hugh O Brien Youth Leadership award if that counts for anything
-I did choir one year in HS
-I did theatre one year in HS and was very involved in many plays and musicals throughout my middle school time (if that matters)
-I plan on having 3 years of photography through my school by the end of HS</p>

<p>-I haven't applied yet, but I expect to get accepted into National Honor Society (I have been working towards this since freshman year)
-I plan on getting a summer job next summer, maybe even this summer
-I am looking to get more involved in a specific volunteer organization that I can focus on instead of getting involved in random activities through key club that are sometimes consistent and sometimes a one time thing.</p>

<p>Any input and advice on how my ECs look is really appreciated!</p>

2

<p>The less ECs the better in my opinion. Read Cal Newport’s “How to be a Highschool Superstar” if you want more proof (seriously, that book is amazing, highly recommend). . Colleges would rather see commitment and dedication in one area than you dipping your toes in ten others. I would focus in only one or two areas and really commit to accomplishing something worthwhile in those areas if I were in your shoes.</p>

3

<p>I partially second what memphismnb has said.
I believe that the answer is not necessarily having fewer EC’s. If you can manage to be extremely committed to a large number of EC’s, go ahead. With that said, improve your standings in the programs you are currently involved with. For example, try Choir competitions (Maybe all-district or all-state?), photography competitions (more competitive ones often offer scholarships) or work towards actually receiving the leadership award.
If improving in some of those areas mean cutting others, then go with Cal Newport’s advice and cut them.</p>