<p>What are top schools (ivy caliber) looking for in your ECs?</p>
<p>passion, leadership. ability/awards too, if possible.</p>
<p>They're really looking for your passions. Serisouly. If a person builds his ECs based on what the colleges wants, he's doing what thousands of other applicants are doing. In other words, if you try to base it on what the college wants, you'll make yourself fade into the background because you'll be doing what everyone else did. Plus, the more you love something, the easier it is to get things out of it. </p>
<p>Find the things you love. Pursue them. Put in commitment and leadership.</p>
<p>It's HILARIOUS how people say "don't pander to what you think colleges want" and THEN go on to advise developing passion/leadership because that's the intangible that... colleges seem to want.</p>
<p>don't stress. don't be afraid to do what you like, and that's that.</p>
<p>You can always build an EC that is based around some passion, even if it's not your real passion =)</p>
<p>but i mean do they frown upon joining clubs senior year just to get them on your college app?</p>
<p>....obviously</p>
<p>no i mean if you join a club senior year do they automatically assume you're joining it just to put it on college apps. in other words, are you screwed if you decide to join a club senior year?</p>
<p>Why's that? If you're pursuing an interest, screw the college. Plus, you never really have to put it on your app anyway. Do it if you want to do it, put it on your app if you think it is important.</p>
<p>DukeBlueDevils, if you're wondering whether joining a club in your senior year will HURT your chances, it won't. The general consensus is that it won't do much to help it.</p>
<p>As for the passion...I've known lots of people who fake a passion in science, politics/leadership, etc. just to get in.</p>