<p>I'm currently a sophomore, and I've just come to the realization that I don't like debate. I started it last year, and haven't even placed at a local tournament. I played the piano for about 4 years when I was in elementary/middle school, and am thinking to get back to it. I play tennis, but I'm not even in USTA. I'm just trying to make the team this year because I didn't last year. (The coach was only taking 10 and I was ranked 12). I'm in a bunch of dead clubs at my school, so those don't count. I'm also in Key Club, trying to get the Congressional Award (Gold by senior year), and volunteering at my local hospital. I need a main extracurricular though. </p>
<p>I have tennis, possibly piano, but I need something else. I need to do something that I like, because I just hate debate. I know it's a really good EC, but I just can't dedicate so much of my time towards something I don't like. </p>
<p>I bet that your school has a list of clubs for you to choose from. Just find whatever appeals to you most. It doesn’t have to be something that you think will look great on a college application. If you’re interested in it and stick with it for a few years it will look great. Also, I’m the captain of my high school tennis team (as a junior) and somewhat highly ranked in my USTA section. Just go out and hit with some of your friends/other kids on the team and it will make a huge difference. You don’t need expensive lessons or anything, just hit on your own time. Also, try to show leadership on your tennis team. I made a conscious effort to assert myself as a leader on my team which is how I got to be captain as a junior, this is assuming you want to be a captain. Anyways, good luck on your search!</p>
<p>^^ The USTA isn’t a club or anything, it’s the organization which basically “runs” tennis in America. All the serious juniors play tournaments through it and are ranked accordingly. OP, I suggest that you try out the lowest level USTA tournament you can find. In my section, New England, it would be a level 7. I know the levels are different for most sections so that might not be a lot of help. Regardless, tournaments give good match experience that will become invaluable during the high school season.</p>
<p>Lol, I know what the USTA is. I play tennis, too!</p>
<p>You know, OP, I was in the exact same position as you a couple years back (about tennis). I gave myself an ultimatum and questioned my commitment to tennis. Then I shaped up, found a new coach, and started playing tournaments. Start with Novice or Satellite level. </p>
<p>Being a USTA member means you can do tournaments (and get great discounts to professional tourneys!) but you’re not obligated to attend X amount of tournaments. It gives you great match play and builds mental strength. In the end, high school tennis is all about how well you play in matches. They don’t really care about your technique.</p>
<p>Oh sorry, my bad. Good point about the technique. When I was a frosh I played 3 singles for my team. In our conference championship I was matched up against a 6’3 senior who was all-state in basketball. The kid was an incredible athlete who decided to pick up a racquet his senior year. I on the other hand had a few years of competitive play and lessons under my belt. It turned out that the 6’3 kid was the biggest pusher ever. I was probably 5’7 at the time, and I was hitting twice as hard as he was, but it didn’t matter. The other kid ran almost every ball down and got most of them back. We split the first two sets but the other kid was way more conditioned than I was. The final score was like 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. By the last set I was toast. Excuse my long anecdote but I’m trying to show you that it doesn’t take a lot of training to win. This kid was in great shape and was determined to win, and at the high school level that’s all you need.</p>
<p>@dfree124, You’re right. My school has a TON of clubs (probably 30+). Maybe I will sign up for the USTA. It’s just hard to find the time though, because I’m playing three times a week and 5 AP classes (including AP Physics B - killer). I got 4 As, 2 Bs, and my first C last quarter (thank gosh quarter grades don’t go on my transcript). That’s why I’m having such a hard time deciding what I want to do with my ECs. </p>
<p>@adapui, There’s a ton of clubs at my school. I really have no idea what I could start because there’s something for just about every subject/interest/topic. There’s already a Board Game Club. :/</p>
<p>@jubilee27, Thanks for the advice! Read what I said to dfree. It applies to you too. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone! But do you think playing more competitive tennis is good enough for college apps? I mean, here is what it’ll be:</p>
<ul>
<li>tennis </li>
<li>piano</li>
<li>volunteering at hospital</li>
<li>Key Club</li>
<li>Habitat for Humanity</li>
<li>American Red Cross</li>
<li>Congressional Award</li>
<li>Class Council (Secretary in 9th grade, will run for something for 11th and 12th grade)</li>
</ul>
<p>I know most of you will say to do what I love, but the thing is, I’m trying to find things that I love to do AND that will look good on college apps.</p>
<p>EDIT: Actually, when I look at the list… do you guys think I even need another main EC, or are they good? Ugh, I just want to get into Duke. Lol.</p>
<p>I feel ya dude. I play 4 times a week and take 3 APs and an honors. Colleges want to see you really involved in a few things you’re interested in rather than involved in everything, but not in depth. If you think you can get leadership positions in the habitat for humanity, key club and red cross (I’m assuming all of those are clubs) that should be fine. I know at my school, the key club has like 40 members and only like 4 leadership positions available, so it’s very hard to show leadership through the key club. Seriously, find a club you can put time and effort into and strive to become a leader of it. If you keep up with tennis you can become the captain of that too. Duke is tough but you don’t really need more, you just need more depth.</p>
<p>Also, you can put down tennis tournaments and how often you play in the ECs which shows that you’re very involved in tennis. My tennis coach, who is also my guidance counselor, said that my tennis looks good because I’m going to be a two year captain, I play tournaments all around my region, I practice a ton, I volunteer with charity tennis organizations and co-ran a separate charity tennis tournament. I don’t even plan on playing in college (even though I could) but that’s what I mean by depth. Also, you might be able to get a good letter of rec from your coach, but I’m not sure how that works for other schools.</p>
<p>Wow, that’s really good advice. Thanks! I could definitely see myself becoming president of Red Cross, maybe Key Club, but doubt Habitat and tennis (there’s this other girl in my grade who I know will become captain; she’s already #2 on the team). I think I’ll just stick with the clubs I’m in now, and work hard on them.</p>
<p>I do have a few opportunities to volunteer that involves tennis. I think I’m going to try to work hard on tennis and drop debate. Debate is just flat out boring and frustrating for me. Anyway, my tennis coach was captain of the tennis team at Duke in the 90s. He said he’ll write me a rec letter when the time comes. I think that’ll be worth something. </p>
<p>Princeton is my #1 choice, but that’s not happening. I want to apply to Emory also, but Duke is harder to get in. Just felt like putting that out there.</p>
<p>Although getting a letter of rec from a coach should be the “optional, additional” letter of rec if the coach is not a teacher at the school as well.</p>
<p>Don’t count yourself out for being a captain yet. Last year our team had two captains, I guess the same thing could happen for your team too. Having a coach who went to Duke write you a rec would be awesome! I bet that will help so much. Emory is somewhere on my list too, tough thing is that they’re the #1 DIII tennis team and I think their womens team is really good too, so playing won’t be an option for me at Emory. Good luck with wherever you apply to.</p>
<p>Thank you all so, so much! The letter of rec from my coach will definitely by my “optional” one. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. Now I feel like I actually have a good shot at Duke.</p>
<p>If the clubs are “dead” revive them. Duh. It’s actually convenient for you as you can easily take the President spot in them. Find a passionate EC. Would you happen to be asian by the way?</p>
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