"Focus" and Long Term Activities in the App

Applying to College
1

<p>I've heard alot about how important "focus" and long term stuff are in college apps.</p>

<p>However, I have a couple of activities that I have been doing since freshman year that may not add to the focus of my apps (in fact I fear they may detract -- anything that doesn't add to it runs the risk of detracting right?). </p>

<p>I have 3 or 4 clubs + 1 sport that I have been doing since 9th grade (Because I enjoy them), but I have not achieved anything in them (no officer position, except 1).</p>

<p>Should I list these even if they are unfocused and I have not achieved anything in them?</p>

2

<p>List- yes. write about- no</p>

<p>pick something that sets you apart for your essays, theres no use talking about how many buddies you've made in model un club.</p>

3

<p>i disagree...if the activity was meaningful he should write about it in the essay, it shows that you have good character/personal qualities.</p>

4

<p>actually i changed my mind... i dont know...what do you guys think?</p>

5

<p>Well... what else are you going to write about?</p>

<p>Just because you weren't an officer doesn't mean you didn't learn anything from your activity, or that you didn't enjoy it. You can talk about how you learned discipline from basketball practice and how it's carried over into other aspects of your life.</p>

<p>And of course you should list the activities you committed to. I would even list activities I did for a year or so. I think it's great that you maintained interest in those activities for multiple years. Lacking leadership will most likely keep you out of the top tier (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc.) but you may get into a great school. I have friends at Berkeley and UCLA who were in clubs for 3 or 4 years but had no officer positions.</p>

6

<p>asayed-</p>

<p>he clearly states that said activities "may detract from the focus" it is obviously not worth the risk. present a clean package to the college not a bunch of ****.</p>

7

<p>asayed-</p>

<p>he clearly states that said activities "may detract from the focus" also he says "i havent achieved anything in them" those are two good reasons not to write an essay on the subject. nuff said noob.</p>

8

<p>Add them. Your ecs do not need to all be in one, or even two or three, neat categories. I would group the ecs by categories on the application, however (sports, community service, academic-related, etc.). </p>

<p>You might consider sending in a supplement where you write a short paragraph about each ec. It's quite common, but be aware that the adcoms may or may not read it.</p>

9

<p>What are some good ways to get leadership positions... especially if you dont have much interest in the in-school clubs?</p>

10

<p>run for class office. join a small in-school club and then seek office. start and run an in-school club. find volunteer jobs where you can oversee younger kids. apply for internships.</p>

11

<p>chillax88...</p>

<p>ur soo smart, where do you get your innate genius from???</p>