<p>Ok, so I don't understand what ECs are the most prominent. I've heard that people should just do what they love, but what if that's not good enough? Can you please give me examples of different ECs? Maybe some of them really stand out, but what things go you do on the side? For me....1) I play volleyball and tennis 2) tutor 3) mentor 4) volunteer at places 5) an about to start Varsity LD Debate. For some reason....I feel like I'm missing the bus and that I am really really behind. Junior year is the most important year, but my thoughts are scattered all over the place. I don't know what to do in order to make myself stand out? Can someone please help me/ advise me. Or you can share your experience too. All advise is appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Sorry for the typos…</p>
<p>I see nothing wrong with your ECs. As a rule of thumb you should have some community service and leadership, beyond that just do what you love. If you can win some awards or be accepted into a program that is selective that is a plus.</p>
<p>“I’ve heard that people should just do what they love, but what if that’s not good enough?”</p>
<p>You’re missing the point. You do what you love because it’s what you love, and that’s always enough regardless of whether or not you get into Harvard. Most colleges don’t care that much about extracurriculars.
Colleges apparently like “passion,” which is a pretty nebulous idea (and kind of stupid in my opinion, because I don’t think a 17-year-old kid has seen enough of the world to know their life passion, and it’s pretty easy to feign a passion on paper). Basically, you devote yourself to the same few ECs for a long time and accomplish Important Things in them.</p>
<p>Exactly. Just do what you love, and in the end, if it helps you get into your dream school, great! If not, you had a great 4 years. If you do things just for the sake of college applications, then you probably won’t have a great time, and if you don’t get in to the school you were doing all of it for…you basically just wasted 4 years.</p>