Extracurriculars - How many of them and what level of excellence is needed?

Applying to College
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<p>Here are my extracurriculars:</p>

<p>I practice judo, the japanese martial art, at a local club. I compete in tournaments. I hope to win something substantial to impress AOs. Maybe some national qualifiers.</p>

<p>I volunteer in a community volunteering organization. My goal is to have more than 200 hours by the end of my junior year.</p>

<p>I volunteer at my public library, reading to children.</p>

<p>I compete in wrestling at my high school. I think I can get to a level where I can compete with the best in my province.</p>

<p>I recently joined the school's tennis team. I think maybe I can get some kind of status within the team if I show leadership and good playing skills.</p>

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<p>These are some I will do in the future:</p>

<p>I'll join a lot of school clubs. Math Club, Student Council, Global Issues, etc. Maybe 3-5 school clubs. I'll make substantial contributions to all of them.</p>

<p>I'll train for a marathon and complete at least one before I send applications. Why? Because I like running and its a somewhat interesting thing to write about or list as an EC. Yes, I am physically capable, lol.</p>

<p>I might start up a new club at my school next year with some like-minded friends.</p>

<p>I'm going to start working a part-time job near the end of the current semester if not as early as next month.</p>

<p>I will have my black belt in judo by next year.</p>

<p>I'm going to take my music production hobby further. Even though I'm not exceptionally talented in it, I think I can get some results (possibly an independent placement or at least some valuable connections and/or experiences I could write about in an essay or list as an EC). I make mostly hip-hop and/or hip-hop inspired music. I hope that's not a negative thing. I heard the hip-hop duo the Clipse welcomed the 2007 freshman class of Columbia with a concert on campus. That's pretty crazy to me...</p>

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<p>Would any of this be special or significant when applying to some of the better American universities? I know that there are academic and musical geniuses with amazing ECs. Any tips or advice for standing out in the ECs department is welcome!</p>

<p>Sidenote: I hope no one on CC recognizes who I am and confronts me face-to-face that would be creepy... luckily I have a pretty common name.</p>

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<p>Most importantly it depends on whether you are an international student or not. If you were, there would be little you could do that would have a significant impact.</p>

<p>Secondly, do what you will enjoy. Don’t try to sign up for classes and do EC’s because of colleges, because then you’ll end up doing the same thing in college and you won’t enjoy it. College is not a dress-up party, come as yourself.</p>

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<p>I’m a Canadian student. Why would my ECs in Canada have any less merit than similar ones in the U.S.?</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice, though.</p>

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<p>“I’ll join a lot of school clubs. Math Club, Student Council, Global Issues, etc. Maybe 3-5 school clubs. I’ll make substantial contributions to all of them.”
if u join around 5, even if u get a board position on each of them & actually DO make a big contribution to all, most likely admissions officers won’t take it very seriously & think that all the clubs sit around & do nothing. 3 is more of a good #, & like i said, try to reach board positions & organize events. really look for a common theme u can present in your app about yourself. gl :)</p>

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<p>You’re right I shouldn’t be into too many clubs.</p>

<p>Any other suggestions? I guess I’ll have to look at other CC member’s stats for some ideas…</p>

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<p>Bump bump bump.</p>

<p>Suggestions and/or ideas are needed.</p>

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<p>It is harder for international students to gain admissions to top schools in the US, and it’s not easy at all for US students. Canadian students aren’t held to the same standards as those from Asian countries but it seems like most of the Canadian educational system’s ideals are the antithesis of those in the US.</p>

<p>First of all, you should realize that there are many good schools in Canada and in the US. Secondly before you worry about ECs for top 20 schools, you have to have your academics in order. Specifically, you’ll probably need something like this:</p>

<p>-High class rank if your school ranks
-IB/AP classes or self-study APs if your school doesn’t offer them
-2100+ SAT score
-High SAT II’s in several subjects, particularly if AP/IB classes aren’t available and your school doesn’t rank.</p>

<p>After that, you get to be considered… schools are looking for fit and passion, not lists so again, do what you enjoy. Unfortunately, it seems to come down to super amazing people getting in, and the rest of us unable to do anything that has any effect.</p>

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<p>I REALLY REALLY HATE what you are doing. “What can I do, regardless if it interests me or not, to impress colleges”. Nothing is better than another extra curricular, it’s what you do with it. And hell, people whom “overload” themselves with extra curriculars are often denied acceptence to top colleges, because the admissions board thinks they do things just to get into a college, without any passion or love for it.</p>

<p>I’ll join a lot of school clubs. Math Club, Student Council, Global Issues, etc. Maybe 3-5 school clubs. I’ll make substantial contributions to all of them. WRONG WRONG WRONG. You shouldn’t join every god damn club possible, join what are interested in…and if you can, contribute.</p>

<p>I’ll train for a marathon and complete at least one before I send applications. Why? Because I like running and its a somewhat interesting thing to write about or list as an EC. Yes, I am physically capable, lol. YOU CANNOT LIST THIS AS AN EXTRA CURRICULAR. Why? Because it;'s not if you do it once, twice, etc, especially if you have shown no love of running prior.</p>

<p>I might start up a new club at my school next year with some like-minded friends. This is the only ok one…only if it’s a club that actually stands for something/does something (for instance, things like “anime club” is a no no).</p>

<p>I’m going to start working a part-time job near the end of the current semester if not as early as next month. …Ok.</p>

<p>I will have my black belt in judo by next year… Ok. If you are just getting a black belt then, throw away any chance at competing in national tournaments.</p>

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<p>@Poseidenj:</p>

<p>Who says I’m not interested in any of those clubs? I’m going to at least try each one that appeals to me and see if I can make a difference, if not, I won’t continue with all of them. Simple.</p>

<p>Again, how is running something you do once or twice? Running a marathon requires months of training and running shorter races leading up to it.</p>

<p>Anime club? Please… no respectable high school would allow students to start a club without good reason.</p>

<p>I think you should let me worry about my athletic performance instead of trying to insinuate that belt rank is the strongest factor for success in competition, because that’s not the case.</p>

<p>@aigiqinf:</p>

<p>I do realize that Canada does have many good schools. Most of my “fit” schools will be Canadian. That doesn’t mean that I won’t try to get into any of my “reach” schools in the U.S. I do know that it is substantially more difficult to be accepted because of my international status and I am aware of the criteria for consideration. Top 20 schools are realistically, out of my reach.</p>

<p>I’d like to know why you think that the Canadian educational system’s ideals are the antithesis of those in the US…</p>

<p>Any further angry caps-lock-ed messages can be sent to my PM, thanks.</p>

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<p>there is no special formula. It is entirely dependent on what the particular school is looking for. You can be the national leader of xyz and it won’t make a difference, but if Harvard wants more harpsichord players that year, then that’s who they will take.</p>

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<p>John what Judo club are you in and at what level are the tournaments that you are entering. My son also does Judo and unless you are very successful at the highest levels, Competitive Judo will not score you the points with colleges that you think. More important will be your black belt, or more importantly the level of commitment it took to get the belts than how well you do in tournaments. That is of course unless you plan to apply to San jose St. or West Point for their Judo teams. </p>

<p>If Judo is truly your passion, as it is for my son, along with Football, then use your Dojo commitments to show the depths of your EC’s. Our Dojo has service requirements within the club, have you taken advantage of those, do you volunteer as a referee at tournaments, do you donate time after class for other students. Colleges looooove commitment and passion… Sometime less (EC’s) is more (focused commitment, passion and dedication). Judo is unique and can be great for setting you apart, and having great ice breaker questions…</p>

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<p>I’d rather not say what club I go to. I’ve disclosed enough personal information on this site already.</p>

<p>I mostly compete at open level tournaments, which of which are national qualifiers (if you have enough points you can compete in the nationals). I’ve entered provincial championships in the past but I am not phenomenal.</p>

<p>I knew that winning tournaments was not as significant as attaining my black belt but I like to compete and set goals for myself. Winning tournaments would just be a plus in my book.</p>

<p>Thanks for telling me about your son’s experiences. I’ll start volunteering with the kid’s classes or help train younger competitors. I believe to be a referee in my area you must be an adult and a black belt, but I could be wrong.</p>

<p>I’ll build on things I’ve been doing for years for fun instead of taking up stuff that I don’t like…</p>

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<p>If you aren’t aiming for top 20 schools, what you’re doing outside of school becomes exponentially less important than what you are doing inside school. What you are doing now should be enough.</p>

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<p>The way I understand it, the difference can be put like this:</p>

<p>Canada: Let’s put high school students in high school classes and make our grading system such that we can differentiate students at high levels and let’s focus our admissions on marks and test scores.</p>

<p>US: Let’s shove as much university into high school as possible, and then give as little credit as possible… additionally let’s either give no one an A or give everyone an A and focus our admissions on wildly varying things that no one understands and therefore runs around like chickens with their heads cut off.</p>

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<p>HAHAHAHA</p>

<p>I thought you were making a sly insult to Canadians.</p>

<p>Yes, I have a Canadian inferiority complex.</p>

<p>I agree with what you posted.</p>

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<p>
[QUOTE=John-942]
I’ll build on things I’ve been doing for years for fun instead of taking up stuff that I don’t like…

[/quote]
This is the right strategy imho. It shows depth and commitment (personal qualities that any admissions committee will consider valuable) and, more importantly, it enriches you as an individual. If you spend your time in pursuit of productive activities that you love, and present yourself honestly as the product of those activities, then you’re more likely to gain acceptances from colleges you’ll truly enjoy. Choosing ECs based on a generic “fill-in-the-blanks” formula for what you think admissions offices will look for… might still gain you some acceptances, but not necessarily at a good fit.</p>

<p>I can share a little bit of geek_son’s experience. He applied and was admitted to a top-20 college emphasizing math/science/engineering (his dream college, and his only application aside from a couple of safeties). He had almost no ECs that involve math, science, or engineering. He has dabbled in a number of sports, held a position in student government for a few years, and been a leader in a couple of clubs during his senior year (one of those clubs was never listed on his app). Aside from that, he’s spent five years in passionate pursuit of a range of related activities that have nothing to do with M/S/E. His volunteer service, school activities, and community activities all have to do with that pursuit, which he may or may not continue after high school.</p>

<p>Spending several years in those activities gave him a chance to work up the ranks, gain the respect of his peers and sponsors, and show leadership in unique ways. Because he loved what he was doing, he found plenty of ways to go the extra mile and found himself in positions of increasing responsibility. When he needed reference letters, he was able to call on people who’d known him for years and seen him grow. And when he needed to write essays, he had a depth of experience and many personal anecdotes to share.</p>

<p>You’ve noticed that I’m not telling you what activities he pursued, and I wouldn’t if asked. What he did doesn’t matter. Do what you love. That will make you a better person, which will make you a better candidate.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Try to participate in contests/awards because nobody else can take your place if you’re #1 in something.</p>

<p>For example you can try to place in your school contests or advance and take a broader range like @ [Business</a> Contest NOVA CHALLENGE](<a href=“http://www.novachallenge.org%5DBusiness”>http://www.novachallenge.org) –> I got my 1st East National place there and I believe this is what took me to good schools today.</p>

<p>I sincerely believe that a good EC like winning a national contest will put you way ahead of the competition.</p>

<p>Of course, you shoudl still do things that you love.</p>

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<p>Agree with Geek_Mom.</p>

<p>Son #2 had relatively few ECs (4 years of band, 2 years of baseball, helped at church). However, we live on a farm and he’s been working on the farm since he was old enough to walk. Was he “passionate” about working on the farm? No, but after so many years, he knew the ins and outs, held a position of authority, AND when it came down to writing college admission essays, he could share with intimate detail, what life on a farm was all about because he LIVED it.</p>

<p>Son got into every college he applied to and is now a happy freshman at Stanford.</p>

<p>So, in my opinion, colleges are looking for interesting, articulate students, not how many ECs you have.</p>

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<p>If someone started their own business, would it be worth more if they made more money?</p>

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<p>I agree w/ Geek mom and Fresnomom: Do what you love, live it passionately, and show that through your application. In my son’s case he is passionate about theatre and writing. He participate heavily in the drama program only at school (Note: no outside theatre productions or companies), but he was in every school production in some capacity, Thespian Society for 4 years (held a board position in 11/12 grade) and Improv Club for 4 years (pres 12 grade). That’s ALL! But he showed his passion for theatre and his want to write plays in his essay and that just reinforced his EC experiences.</p>

<p>There are so many kids that try to so hard to be involved in every club…AdCom’s know that you can’t do 8 things exceedingly well…but you can be passionate about 1-2. (and even if you’re passionate that doesn’t have to mean you were the BEST in it). Will my son ever be on stage on Broadway? Probably not…but his passion for drama and what that might bring to the extre-curricular drama program during his college career was just what the AdComs were most likely looking for.</p>

<p>By the way, over the summer he worked as a camp counselor for a Childrens Drama Camp near our house. So, he wasn’t out saving the world :)</p>

<p>He is going to be attending Amherst in the Fall.</p>

<p>Bottom line…just do what you love and do it for the right reasons.</p>