<p>I know that there are 12 empty slots to fill in EC's. However, for my situation, I have done a lot in music. I've spent most of my time on my instrument and never really got into clubs like NHS or Key Club. My question is: is ignoring the 12 empty spaces on the Common App and making my own resume, where I list my instrument and the countless activities I've done under that a good decision. Michelle Hernandez recommended doing this in one of her books.</p>
<p>I want to sort my EC's into categories. For example, I would write "Music" as the title of the first category and list all the groups, bands, and clubs that relate to music. </p>
<p>I am under the impression that you should never leave the EC category of the Common Application blank, regardless of whether you submit a resume.</p>
<p>I just feel that the Common App spaces aren’t the most practical way for me to convey to colleges the depth of my EC’s. Should I just list every single little thing I’ve done for each of my major ones then? That would take up more than 12 spaces though.</p>
<p>I was actually wondering about this too. Do you have to fill out every box? I only have like 4 or 5 significant activities i’ve been in in the last few years. Adding more would just seem like over-kill…</p>
<p>Yes, fill out at least one of the boxes briefly, then write down the details on a separate attachment. For instance, you can simply write “Music: instrument” on one of the spaces and write “see additional information (or resume in this case) for details” on the place normally reserved for description of the activity. This way, you not only fulfill the requirement of filling out the application but also ensure that the person reading your file while at least turn to the resume to check what you have done for the activity. Try not to repeat information on the application.</p>
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<p>You definitely do not have to fill up every single space! In fact, I think there was an older thread on this topic, but I don’t think I can find it anymore…</p>
<p>so will filling out just 1 or 2 of the slots affect our chances nagatively, what if some of the activities were a one time thing,(not weekly) should we put that in too or ignore?</p>
<p>no it won’t. you can subdivide your ECs. for example, if you have 5 competitions you entered with your instrument, and maybe 2 festivals, 2 bands/orchestras you’re in with that same instrument, just list them as all separate. </p>
<p>its basically like this. if you have more, be more general and attach a resume. </p>
<p>if you are more focused, be more specific and maybe not attach a resume. </p>
<p>either way is good, i would prefer the latter as specificity seems to be better</p>
<p>Is it absolutely essential that I list my activities along with the number of hours spent on each activity? I mean there are some activities which are not adequately represented in terms of number of hour. Besides, I just don’t have a clear idea of how much time I’ve spent on some of my activities,</p>
<p>I could easily fill up those 12 blanks if not more but I only have 7 major a-lot-of-time-spent-type ECs and if I mention the minor ones (not much time spent) in the end will it diminish the value of the major ones??</p>
<p>^^Yes, you should only include your main activities. Keep in mind, with each every additional E.C. you input, the more spread out your time investments are.</p>