<p>Hi everybody! I had a quick question about my ECs. I'm on my school's debate team, which pretty much takes up my entire life. We're ranked number 1 in the state pretty consistently, and we practice about 25 hours a week. I've been looking around, and I see that pretty much everyone recommends taking a bunch of ECs and getting leadership positions in as many of them as possible. The only issue is that, with debate and school and everything, I only have time to do one other EC, which is sing with a local choir. The problem is, neither of those things offer leadership positions. Should I be concerned that colleges are going to reject me because I don't have enough extracurriculars or don't have leadership positions? Or will they see it as a plus that I spend so much time in one?</p>
<p>Top colleges are not looking for the “well-rounded” student, but rather a “well-rounded” student body. If Debate is your passion and you’re playing a vital role on the team, I suggest staying on the team and taking up another EC if you have time for it. Two really solid EC’s are better than a laundry list of 7 so-so EC’s.</p>
<p>Colleges like students that are dedicated more than they like students who purposely are involved in minor roles in 5000 ECs (and trust me, they can tell). Perhaps another EC or two that you really enjoy might help, but the one is fine and dandy and I don’t believe it’ll hurt you.</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t factor ECs into admission. This particularly is true of public schools.</p>
<p>The colleges that do factor ECs into admission want students who have pursued a few ECs in depth, not students who’ve had superficial involvement with a laundry list of ECs.</p>
<p>Absolutely not! In fact, that’s usually the opposite of what CCers recommend, though we do tend to herald the important of ECs in general. Like others have said, colleges want to see commitment and focus. However, you should be successful in debate for it to be a valuable use of your time–that is, you should have significant individual accomplishments rather than just being part of a team that tends to win first. </p>
<p>One thing I’m confused about: How does debate not have leadership? Do y’all not have event captains, a president, VP, etc?</p>
<p>You don’t need official leadership positions to be demonstrating leadership. For instance, starting extra training sessions or creating a way of recruiting more members are examples of leadership that one could be doing or one’s debate team. Frankly, often there’s more leadership going on by people who do the kinds of things that I mention than by the many students who have leadership titles, but do nothing with those positions. Colleges know there are many students who have titles that are only resume decoration.</p>
<p>One’s recommendations, essays, and interview also can reflect one’s leadership.</p>