<p>Hi! I'm in my junior year of highschool and I've realized that the extra-curricular section of my application is very empty. I've tried to join some of the clubs at my school, but none of them really interested me. So far, the only thing I have going for me is starting a badminton club in my sophmore year and a monthly art meeting for our newspaper. I stay after school almost once every week to rehearse with my string quartet (for fun or otherwise) but I'm not really sure if that counts as extracurricular. Should it be? I have A's in all my courses and am currently taking all honors/APs. The colleges that I am looking at are all very selective (top 20). Any suggestions?</p>
<p>If the string quartet is part of band, then I don’t think so. If the quartet’s separate from a course in school, then yes, I’d say that it counts as an extracurricular.</p>
<p>Are you an American student? Badminton is bigger in some other countries. There are many diff CC opinions about ECs, ranging from “most are useless” to “they help show who you are.” It’s not totally about what interests you; it’s also about what you can show committment to. No one know if the president of the student govt is bored- what they know is the role represents responsibility and leadership. You can mentor or tutor, do regular vol work, join the math team (whatever.) Music is good, quartet is good. What other things ARE you doing outside of classes?</p>
<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with comments by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs as viewed by the most selective colleges. 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](<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 [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) While I don’t agree with everything in them, take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>
<p>I found a GOLD POST in the Parents Forum. However, this is only for UCs and just a GUIDELINE.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/8131-dont-dabble-your-ecs-stay-focused.html?highlight=uc+guidelines#post78263[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/8131-dont-dabble-your-ecs-stay-focused.html?highlight=uc+guidelines#post78263</a></p>
<p>Yeah, I go to school in New York. Badminton is actually quite popular in my school (looking at the way everyone rushes to the rackets during PE), though we never actually had a club for it at my school (hence the reason why I started one). I plan on continuing it during my junior and senior years too if I can. I’ve tutored a bit (mostly freshmen year and some of sophmore), but it’s mostly for friends and not exactly official.</p>