Good/Bad ECs? Descriptions too long? HELP!

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>HI! I am starting early on my stupid Common App, so hopefully I will thank myself in the Fall. I am filling out the activities section... can you guys please rate my ECs and tell me whether or not to remove some of them or something? I also don't know if the descriptions are appropriate for the "Positions held, honors one, etc" thing. I've filled up all 10 spots... I also did Cross Country 9th & 10th grade, should I remove one of these and exchange them?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>APP DEVELOPMENT/ENTREPRENEURSHIP (11-12): Founder and programmer for Orange Square Apps, an iPhone Application Development business; Orange Square Apps has developed many iPhone and iPad apps for the International Apple App Store such as Save Orange and Amazing Card Trick</p></li>
<li><p>PUBLICATIONS/WEB & APP DEVELOPMENT (10-12): Editor-in-Chief of The Viking Scroll student newspaper (12), Head of Graphic Design for The Viking Scroll and the Valhalla yearbook (10-12); Created the website and iPhone app for The Viking Scroll online (12); Designed the Valhalla yearbook cover (11-12)</p></li>
<li><p>WORK (VOLUNTEER)/MENTORING (10-12): Volunteer Teacher's Assistant at River Legacy Science Center, a summer school for elementary students who have an interest in science; Educate youth about Texas forest conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable materials; Rated "Best Volunteer" by teachers for three years</p></li>
<li><p>STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (9-12): Student representative for Lamar High School Site-Based Committee, a board of principals and teachers that makes executive decisions for the school; Selected by staff and principal as one of two student representatives for the entire school</p></li>
<li><p>NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (11-12): Member (11), Secretary (12); Help organize numerous volunteer opportunities, such as holiday caroling and youth science-education programs; Organized Ragnarok, a rock-concert fundraising event</p></li>
<li><p>STUDENT GOVERNMENT (11-12): Junior Class Council Boys Social Chair (11), Senior Class Council Treasurer (12); Help run school registration, homecoming and prom events; Manage budget for Senior Class; First Junior Class in 9 years to beat Senior Class in homecoming hall decorations</p></li>
<li><p>MENTORING (11-12): Mentor for Project SOAR Mentoring Program; Act as a teacher and friend to an at-risk high school freshman, and educate them about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse</p></li>
<li><p>MENTORING (11): Mentor for Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) Mentoring Program; Talked to children at local elementary schools about the importance of reading and pursuing an academic future</p></li>
<li><p>WORK (PAID) (11): Office Assistant at Grand Prairie Ford, a car dealership based in Grand Prairie, Texas; Worked in an office filing papers and doing miscellaneous work</p></li>
<li><p>WORK (PAID) (10): Assembly Line Worker at Ameripac Incorporated, a packaging plant based in Euless, Texas; Worked on an assembly line packaging and shipping numerous medical products</p></li>
</ol>

<p>TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK PLEASE</p>

2

<p>SOMEONE way</p>

3

<p>pmcneely1, you have a few options. You can combine similar activities, for example, your mentoring work. Just put “Mentoring” and then in one of the descriptive sections, you can mention the organizations you worked for. If you really have too many activities for the Common App section, and you truly think they are all important to include, you can attach a resume in the “additional information” section on the Common App.</p>

<p>As far as which activities should be included, think about which are the most important to you. Then think about the “story” you would like your EC’s to tell about you. Are you representing yourself as an athlete? An entrepreneur? Choose and order your EC’s accordingly. It’s not about quantity, but about quality.</p>

<p>As far as “Position Held, Honors Won, Letters Earned, or Employer” and “Details/accomplishments” go, you will have 100 characters (including spaces) for each of these. Use both spaces to include your details, and use abbreviations if necessary. Pare down your descriptions to get them to fit in these spaces.</p>