I am involved in a wide array of ECs, so the limit of 10 forces me to chose the 10 most important to me. One of my 10 activities is piano, despite the fact that I am by no means a piano virtuoso. I took lessons until I was 12 but continue to self teach myself songs, so would that be worth adding to the activities section? I have no interest in majoring/minoring music, but I do enjoy playing on my own time. If I have piano as an activity will they except me to be award winning? I’m not incompetent at piano it’s just that I do not want colleges to expect more than I am, or ask for an audition/recording of my playing since I’m not going to college to do anything related to music.
My understanding is that the EC section is intended to include the things you invest yourself in on a regular basis. There will be no expectation to be more accomplished than what you indicate on the application and no, an audition or recording will not be required.
Pick the 10 most important and long lasting activities. My D listed piano as something she has been doing for about 10 years, She didn’t send a supplement and she doesn’t play in an orchestra as it’s something she does for herself. She did write one of the short answers about it.
Thank you! But for the app is there anywhere that I can specify that I’ve played my whole life? And also, I have Varsity letters in Cross Country and soccer (these are same season sports and I do not have the time or the physical capabilities to participate in both simultaneously), so on my app I have 2 years of each sport. Will that hurt me since it does not show a long lasting activity? I did soccer and XC at the same time my 8th grade year, so I don’t want colleges to think that the sports are something that I just picked up.
If you are passionate and love playing the piano, if that is part of who you are, I’d put it down. You can use an essay to talk about playing your whole life, or perhaps the common app “additional information” section.
Maybe even work it in via the Princeton supplementary app? One of the questions for 2021 was “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences that was particularly meaningful to you. (Response required in about 150 words)”
Btw - Son is Class of 2020, only played 2 years in soccer, JV only. 