<p>I need some help standing out right now on my USC 09 application. What are some good ECs that I could realistically participate in with the time given in one year of CC?</p>
<p>I have a job but I know there is plenty more.</p>
<p>Any ideas? Suggestions?</p>
<p>You should simply choose activities which reflect your genuine interests. There are no ECs more desirable than any others. Just ones which genuinely show who you are, what you find interesting.</p>
<p>Andale is right. They care more about seeing ECs that you are good at and genuinely enjoy.</p>
<p>BTW, a job <em>is</em> an EC. Even a grunt job, when you have worked steadily and/or long hours and/or worked while putting yourself through school... is an impressive EC. Don't overlook that or sell yourself short.</p>
<p>Well aside from clubs and outside jobs. What else can help, I'm only 17 at the moment and have a restaurant job so getting a relevant job to my major is really out of the question.</p>
<p>I just need new ideas outside of the whole school club scene.</p>
<p>Before I started working, I was going to run for my local neighborhood council. All you need to do is go door-to-door and get people to vote for you. Just plan a pitch, practice it in private, do your thing.</p>
<p>Unfortunately now I have to work full time to help with bills. :l</p>
<p>1/2 cup of passion.</p>
<p>1 tablespoon of commitment.</p>
<p>2 dashes of leadership.</p>
<p>Mix with care.</p>
<p>Preheat Honors college to 350 degrees (Any higher and the grades might suffer).</p>
<p>Bake for a semester or two. </p>
<p>Take out when crispy on top.</p>
<p><em>Sprinkle a little more dedication on top for adcom delight</em></p>
<p>Serve with well prepared essay on what the experience meant.</p>
<p>Alright so I should definitely keep my restaurant job (I've had it for a year now) So i really hope that looks good. </p>
<p>Im probably going to switch CCs at the semester for their honors program. </p>
<p>I want to add that I do amateur cycling (no races, yet but hopefully soon), but will that even count/matter?</p>
<p>Then thereafter I can add</p>
<p>110 hrs community service, PF Changs server (1 year), Honors society at CC,. </p>
<p>hmm, does that seem remotely solid enough?</p>
<p>You do NOT need a job related to your major. Don't worry about that. You should definitely list your restaurant job and your amateur cycling - whether that is a club activity, something you do regularly as a hobby or whatever. Of course, include Community Service you have done. Honors Society might show up both as an award/honor and/or in the EC section if it is a club where you meet etc.</p>
<p>Yes, that is all solid. If you have other interests .... go ahead and pursue them. But if these reflect your interests and time availability then just pursue them to the fullest.</p>
<p>Transfer essays don't always allow for this type of essay, but I always remember an Admissions Officer at a top LAC talking about how the best essay she ever read was by an applicant who talked about her job at Dunkin' Donuts .... what she'd learned by observing customers. It was insightful and I think humorous. Just shows you that it's not about "impressive", it's about your ECs and your essays letting the real you shine through.</p>
<p>Thanks a ton Andale, I really have my feet on the ground now! I can't tell you enough how much this helps. </p>
<p>I actually had an epiphany tonight how I should really connect my restaurant job to my essay. Its probably my strongest talking point from my ECs so I'm definitely going to exaggerate it. </p>
<p>So so set for USC '09 </p>
<p>Thanks again Andale!</p>