hi guys, i want to apply to MIT and they want you to list 5 activities…but i’ve 3 activities right now and i want to know if the following are considered extracurricular activities or not :
1-juggling : learning to juggle with balls ( you know like those guys at the circus )
2-origami : making funny shapes with paper
3-reading
4-learning a new language
so, i want to know what from all of that is considered extracurricular activities ?
These would all be considered hobbies or pastimes, not ECs. Don’t list them. Indeed, they are rather straw-grasping.
So, what are your suggestions could you please give me some examples of ECs that i can do with myself because in my country’s schools they don’t offer clubs that i can join and i can’t start my own club …so i want some examples of ECs that i can do with myself
Anything you do outside class work count as EC’s. Your last two aren’t bad. Everyone loves a reader. In fact, many of the short answer questions from ivies ask what you’re reading. For MIT, I think they then give you a short essay to talk about the EC that is most meaningful to you. As long as you have one, you’ll be good.
I think most people think of EC’s as being part of some organization or doing something with and for someone else. But I think you could still manage to use some of the things you’ve stated as your EC’s. Here is one article that actually includes hobbies as an EC.
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/f/what-is-an-extracurricular-activity.htm
But I think, if possible, it would still be better to do something that goes beyond yourself. You can expand some of your hobbies. For example, how about volunteering to teach youngsters how to juggle or do oragami. Maybe through the local elementary school, or community rec center. Or volunteering as entertainment at a senior center or a children’s hospital? How about reading to preschoolers at the library?
Or look for other volunteer opportunities. How about your church? How about volunteering as a ref or coach for youth leagues – or even just working the snack stand. Like pets? Volunteer at the shelter…