Extracurricular rating/advice thread

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>This is a thread where we can post our EC's and get feedback. My EC list has been updated, so I'd like some feedback and, this way, everyone else can also get some feedback.</p>

<p>I'll start off.</p>

<p>9th grade:
-Debate-Pres
-Mock Trial-Pres
-Programming Club</p>

<p>10th grade:
-Debate-Pres
-Mock Trial-Pres
-Research-I am working on my own project under a mentor. This may lead to a publication as first author further down the line.
-Writer for my state's main newspaper; I write op-eds.
-I also founded a charity organization that currently has about 10-15 people in it; we've raised 1,000 dollars in the roughly two months we've been active, and we plan to raise 10,000 dollars by the time I graduate.</p>

<p>11th grade:
-Plan to continue my 10th grade EC's. If current research project is complete, I plan to start a new one.
-I'll lose my leadership positions since I'll be transferring to my state's math/science academy. (Also, how would I put this in my application? Would I have to explain why I lost the positions? Would I say something like "Debate-President (2 years)"?)</p>

<p>12th grade:
Same as 11th/10th</p>

<p>Question 1: How are my EC's? As you can see, my main "hook" is research. Would having a publication in a journal be good enough to have research as my main EC? I also plan to enter a bunch of the science fairs with my work. I am also probably going to do relatively well at debate; last year, we didn't go to any competitions, but we went to our first tournament a few weeks ago, and my partner and I placed in the quarterfinals in varsity, despite it being our first time ever debating. We're confident that with practice, we can get to at least state.</p>

<p>Question 2: Are there any ways I can improve? I mean, is having ~3-4 EC's good enough if I show a lot of focus in two or three of them? I really love research, and starting on Monday, I plan to devote significantly more time to it. At the latest, I plan to have the project done by the end of the summer.</p>

<p>Feel free to post your own stats and hopefully receive some feedback/advice.</p>

2

<p>I’d like to bump this thread as I find it really interesting. All I have is Debate, Math Olympiad, and possible JV/V Tennis in my locker. How did you get the research, writing, and charity opportunities in your school? Did you just go with your friends and make a charity organization? Also, how did you become president in 9th grade haha, all the leadership positions at my school are taken by seniors. I think your EC’s are very solid.</p>

3

<p>For research, I emailed a bunch of profs in my area (~80, I think). Two of them forwarded my email to one of their colleagues, who agreed to take me on.</p>

<p>As for writing, I wrote a few articles/pieces for my school newspaper. A lady who works at my city’s newspaper saw my articles, liked them, and got me an offer to sign on the city newspaper. From the city newspaper, I worked my way up to state.</p>

<p>My charity org is composed of me and a few friends. We’re slowly expanding and gaining more notoriety in my state.</p>

<p>9th grade was when debate was founded (not by me, by the sponsor). We went to a few district wide tournaments (not like state or anything), and my partner and I were the best from our school. So, the sponsor made me pres and my partner VP.</p>

<p>The debate sponsor also heads the mock trial team; she saw that I was a really good lawyer in mock trial, so she made me pres. I basically handle the fundraiser, our relations with our sponsors/principal/other schools, and just general paper pushing for the debate team and mock trial team.</p>

4

<p>When did you start the charity, begin emailing, and start writing?</p>

5

<p>Charity was started this year.</p>

<p>Initial writing was done the latter part of 9th grade year. I started city over the summer; state a while later.</p>

<p>Emailing was done over the summer.</p>

6

<p>Sounds amazing, those EC’s will definitely give you an advantage. How do the professors who “accepted” you utilize you in their research? Also, may I read one of your writing works?</p>

7

<p>Only one prof accepted my request. I’m working on my own research project under him.</p>

<p>And yeah, sure. PM me, and I’ll send you one of the articles I’m working on when it’s finished.</p>

<p>I’m also considering including photography as an EC. I dunno if it’s significant enough, though.</p>

8

<p>haha, sure will, is your prof from a CC or a state uni or priv uni? Yeah, I think it will be considering I’ve seen one of your beautiful photos.</p>

9

<p>He’s from a state university. As much as I hate this place, it does offer some really great opportunities that many fail to take advantage of (my school is really noncompetitive). I also get to go to NYC every winter and summer since my parents feel guilty about moving us here :P</p>

<p>I plan to submit to some contests; if I win one or two, I’ll include it.</p>

10

<p>What subject is debate/mock trial under? Social studies? If so then why not do some history bowls, model UN, etc.?</p>

<p>Here’s mine:
Freshman Year
-JV Quiz Bowl (I’m in the club, but I haven’t been to any comps)
-HOSA (this club is very unreliable. It’s the one that I was looking most forward to, yet the club leaders are “busy” and have only done one meeting).
-Key Club
-Science Olympiad (also a very lax and unreliable club)
-Hospital Volunteering (I’m starting in the summer if I get accepted, and I need my 1st semester transcript to do so)
-Tae Kwon Do (hopefully winning competitions + 3rd degree black belt before I apply to college)
-Tutoring (this is not on the list yet, but I helped establish a club called “Fresh Help” where we tutor freshman on all the core subjects + world languages. It’s probably not going to get approved, but if it does, I’ll be a major tutor and when one of the founders goes back to Korea, he says I’ll be one of the leaders).</p>

<p>How’s that look so far?</p>

11

<p>I think debate and mock trial fall under their own category. They’d be more humanities than STEM though.</p>

<p>It looks pretty solid so far. Are you a freshman or a sophomore? If so, you have time to build one or two of your EC’s to be the shining star.</p>

<p>Once the tutoring club gets established in your school, try to make it a statewide thing.</p>

12

<p>Thanks. Yes, I am a freshman I’m just nervous about my EC list because although I’m in these clubs, I haven’t really done anything.</p>

<p>I’m definitely going to do TKD, HOSA, and maybe Quiz Bowl throughout all four years. Also tutoring if the club is successful (we just submitted the approval form last wed/thurs)</p>

13

<p>This is what I have so far. I’m a junior by the way.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Youth Court - I have around 370-390 hours here and am currently the assistant chief judge. I’ve been doing this since freshman year.</p></li>
<li><p>Debate - I’m currently the treasurer. Last year, I finished 3rd in LD at the state tournament and qualified/attended NCFL nationals as a result. This is my second year of debate.</p></li>
<li><p>Partners Club - I am the co-president of a club where we work with the kids involved with Special Olympics at our school. I’ve been doing this since freshman year.</p></li>
<li><p>JV Tennis - I might try out for varisty next year. I’m actually getting better, considering that I was awful last year.</p></li>
<li><p>NHS - Fairly self-explanatory.</p></li>
</ul>

14

<p>Bump - anyone have good advice?</p>

15

<p>akacesfan, I think your debate would be your strongest asset. Work on getting a higher ranking this year and maybe start a free debate academy that teaches good public speaking/debating skills to underprivileged persons and/or people underrepresented in debate.</p>

<p>From what I’ve seen on CC, it’s usually a good idea to pick one or two areas and just run with it. Find your niche, and work until you get some significant achievement.</p>

16

<p>bump</p>

<p>10char</p>

17

<p>Original poster, is your charity organization an actual non profit organization? I have been wanting to make a charity organization, but the process of making it an official non profit is just too time consuming/expensive. Which charity do you donate to? Nice EC’s! And also, how ever did you get an op-ed spot in your state’s newspaper?</p>

18

<p>I am an international student.
I am not boasting/showing off. Just wanted some ideas/input if I could improve them/present them in a better way.
ECs-

  1. Quizzing-
    Many national level and regional level prizes.
    Hosted quiz shows in my city ( Youngest quizmaster ),
    Researched questions for various quizzes.
    Quiz Team Captain.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Classical Music –
Cleared 2 major exams with distinction.
Held concerts regularly in the city.
School team member, which has won quite a few regional competitions.</p></li>
<li><p>Table Tennis-
Silver and Bronze Medal (Team) at a national level event, after winning city, state and regional levels.
Best Player award : 2 years at the same event.
Acted as the coach for the junior school team, which managed to reach nationals.</p></li>
<li><p>Spell Bee-
National semifinalist ( Top 32 in the country) ( First ever qualification for this competition from my region).
Won other regional level competitions.</p></li>
<li><p>Violin-
Passed a major exam with distinction.
( Attended classes for 1 year. Self learnt it later with my music knowledge).
Held concerts in the city. ( Both solo and group) . </p></li>
<li><p>Philately and Numismatics-
Extensive collection of coins and stamps.
Displayed the collections at various exhibitions.
Won prizes from the Postal Dept. for ‘ Best Student collection’.</p></li>
<li><p>Writing-
Editor of the School Magazine.
Contributed a lot of articles to the school magazine.
2nd prize at the national level in an essay competition.
Won regional level competitions.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Community Service-<br>

  1. Held free concerts in slums, to encourage students to learn some fine arts ( lot of crimes occur in that area). Taught music to students who approached me.
  2. Raised money for building a home for the poor, by setting up a stall along with classmates.
  3. Taught over 150 hours at a village school.</p>

<p>Leadership-
School Captain ( I joined my present HS only a year back. So, first ‘newbie’ ever to get this honour).
Assistant Senior Minister in sophomore year.
President and Founder- Philately and Numismatics Club.
President- Quiz Club
President- Science Club.</p>

19

<p>Hey guys! Tell me what I need to improve, I’m worried!
Orchestra/Private Violin Lessons: 9 years, section leader freshman year, will be concert master next year.
Concert Choir: Soprano leader
Bharatnatyam (Indian Classical)/Western Fusion Dance
Naya Andaz Dance Competition: Has to be listed separately because I spend around 200+ extra hours on it every year.
Theatre Club: 4 years, have gotten supporting roles
Math Team
Science Team
Field Hockey
Research Assistant at Stem cell Lab in NY (but i live in NJ)
Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India: special-needs kids
Breaking the Chain Through Education: eradicating child slavery in Ghana. VP for two years, hope to president next year
Power of Friendship: also helping special needs kids, every week for 3 hours
Food Pantry: twice a month, 2 years
Hospital Intern</p>

20

<p>^how good are you at violin? Recordings? You probably should do some math and science contests.</p>