Few Extracurriculars, But a Lot of Dedication

Applying to College
1

I currently am the president of my class and mainly raise funds for the school through this, I’m especially dedicated/enjoy being captain of the Academic Competition Team (essentially a Quiz Bowl) and participating in my school’s Jazz Band.

Our Academic Competition Team hasn’t won particular distinctions until myself and a friend joined the team and bolstered it, currently I am in my sophomore year and we claimed second place at a state tournament (a Toyota-sponsored tournament) that qualified us for nationals but our heads opted out due to our youth (mainly sophomores and freshmen) as well as the competition not covering the cost.

Our Jazz Band mainly does gigs and holds weekly practices, with a local program with professional musicians participating with us for a month each year as well.

As president I am mainly a speaker and fundraisers are often able to be held independently through cooperation with local restaurants.

I’m considering volunteering at a local hospital when I’m 16, which is the required age. Either that or shadowing a doctor.

I would participate in other activities if it were advised but I really prefer to do what I love. Perhaps a science club or founding a debate club?

Do these activities hold any merit with high-tier colleges? Call me hopeful but I wish to enter either Brown or Columbia as my colleges.

Thanks!

2

It’s a lot better to have fewer ECs with dedication. The ECs are fine.

3

I was told once by an admissions person for the USAFA that it was better to have a few ECs and do well in them than be in a bunch but not really be that involved.

4

Yes, a few is better, but I’d still recommend joining 1 or 2 more clubs. There has to be something you enjoy, and if you join now, you can probably get a position by senior year, which would put you at 5 very dedicated ECs, which would be very nice.

5

Keep in mind that out of the 3,000 or so 4-year colleges in the US EC’s are important for admission at only a small fraction. Perhaps the most selective 100 or so. You can see what factors matter in admission at schools you are considering by looking at their Common Data Set filings. Most students worry needlessly about EC’s when they’ll play only a small factor or not even be considered!

The question about impressive EC’s comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html

As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. Stanford, for example, says

2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How to Be Impressive](The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save This Grind?](Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) I don’t buy into his underlying explanation of why they are impressive, but take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.

6

Thanks for all the advice to everyone!

Thank you mikemac for the articles as well.

7

I don’t really understand mikemac’s initial comments since you mention Brown and Columbia as targets and your EC activities for those are significant factors. My daughter had a deep comprehensive activity that I suppose was the star of her application. and a couple of other significant activities of leadership. I don’t think she had any clubs listed. I do think your activities should reflect your interests and values and you should take them to a deeper level when you can.