<p>I'm a sophomore in HS, so I still have some time to join clubs and other extracurriculars. I only did one club freshman year, and 2 this year. However, next year I plan on joining several clubs. I was wondering what EC's look better to colleges, and how important they are as an admission factor? Also, is it better to join more clubs (for application purposes) than do only a few (but are passionate about)?</p>
<p>Colleges won’t look at how many clubs you joined; they will look at how you engaged yourself doing things you like. For instance, it would be better to build LEGO for 3 years than to spend two hours per month in your 100+ clubs.</p>
<p>Don’t start doing things just to fill a curriculum. You don’t have to build a strong resume; you have to build a strong identity.</p>
<p>Join maybe 2-3 clubs that you really enjoy, maybe one’s that aren’t as common as others, and throw everything you have into them. If a college can see that you showed true dedication you’ll be golden.</p>
<p>Wow, I really appreciate the fast and helpful responses! You both gave me amazing suggestions!</p>
<p>You’re welcome :)</p>
<p>Yes, I would worry less about quantity and more about quality. Don’t join different clubs every year; stick with a few and move up until you’re holding some sort of office in the organization/club/whatever. This shows dedication and commitment. A variety can be helpful if you are athletic but also enjoy the arts, for example. Just don’t make it look like you took everything just to say that you took everything. It should all have meaning to you, and you should be proud of the work you do in each and have something meaningful to tell about the experience if asked during an interview.</p>
<p>What if you are a member of many clubs, but each club shows a different part of your personality? Is that bad? Even if I’m equally committed to all of them?</p>
<p>^if you’re truly interested in all of them, it’s not a bad idea; colleges might question it so it’s better if you make sure that you explain your interest, but as long as you show your commitment to them it shouldn’t really matter if they’re not related to each other and each shows a different side of you.</p>
<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly. Many colleges actually don’t care about ECs or give them minimal weight. The most selective colleges, the ones that most people here on the forum discuss endlessly, do. </p>
<p>There is a thread with comments by NSM, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html</a></p>
<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [How</a> Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]How”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) Take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some ideas.</p>
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Here is what Stanford says it looks for; other very selective colleges will see it the same way.
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