Help needed: picking extracurriculars to commit to?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

After much research and looking around, I have found some ECs that work with my schedule and what I’m interested in. But now, I’m having a hard time deciding which ones I should join!

Currently, I am planning on keeping these three for sure:
-YoungLife (all year one hour per week)
-Service Club (Volunteer half year one hour per week)
-Robotics Club (6 hours/six weeks)

I’m on the fence about these clubs. I definitely don’t want to join all of them, it will take up too much time and look like I’m just doing it to strengthen my apps.

Rocketry Club - build rockets, meet once a month. One thing to note is this is a club of adults and my family is unsure of sending me to something where I would be the only kid.

Astronomy Club - Meets once a month to look at stars and volunteer at the observatory. One downside is it is pretty far from where I live, but can be managed because there’s only one meeting a month.

Math Circle- Meets once a month for a two hour mathematics discussion questions and is lead by a mathematics professor from Ohio State University.

Diversity Club- Meets once a month and talks about helping improve community and advocates for diversity.

Habitat for Humanity- Meets once a month and volunteer to build houses.

Some things about me:
I’m hoping to major in engineering at Ohio State University and have lots of interest in STEM. I only have around 39 service hours but am hoping to make it a big part of my application, because volunteering is very important to me. I am huge on advocating for minorities and the disadvantaged in STEM. I am currently in my school’s STEM program.

Some questions:
Some of these are unique ECs. Would that help me stand out more and show my unconventional/unusual interests?

All of these clubs don’t really have opportunities for me to be a leader (as they are organization run or just simply volunteering). Would that look odd, especially since colleges are looking for “leaders”?

All advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

2

Bump…anyone have any insight? I’m trying to get involved in the clubs as soon as possible! :-/

3

Do whatever you’re interested in and isn’t gonna overwhelm you.

4

Rocketry club is kind of off the beaten path (and that can be helpful in terms of ECs). My guess is that you would learn a lot from it. Have you actually been to any meetings yet? Maybe rocketry and astronomy? Both are not huge time commitments, but also not something everyone else is probably doing. And to me they sound super interesting. :smiley:

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@snowfairy137 that’s my problem, lol! They all sound like they fit my interests!!

@intparent I was thinking the exact same thing; those two sound like they aren’t mainstream and are pretty interesting! I haven’t been to a meeting yet, but I’m planning to email the leader and see what he says. I’m sure I’ll be able to gain a lot (these guys know a lot more than me about engineering and wiring and whatnot.) I’m thinking about possibly having one of my family members come with me, but honestly I’m not worried that much because they are a registered team in my state. And plus it really aligns with my dream job (working for a big aerospace company) so I’m definitely considering it!

Thank you also for originally giving me the idea about the astronomy club! I have considered it before, but forgot LOL. It is far away, but if sounds too good to pass up!

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Since you only have 39 service hours, but you want to make that a major part of your application, I would suggest Habitat for Humanity? So that and either/both Rocketry and Astronomy.

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@greenteahermione Habitat for Humanity sounds like a good option for me because not only is it community service, but it is closely related to engineering because you built houses.

My only concern with doing 6 ECs…(although three meet only once a month, but there is always work you have to do outside meetings) is that it will look like I’m just doing it for college apps and not really committing to it. I do really want to commit to these clubs. My two main things I want to highlight in my application are community service and engineering.

If I I think about it, I’m not really spreading myself out that much, as skills used in one can be used for another club and fall under similar categories:

Engineering focused:
-Rocketry Club
-Robotics Club

Community Service:
-Service Club
-Habitat for Humanity (could also fall under engineering)

Religion:
-YoungLife

*Astronomy is kind of in its own STEM category.

8

I don’t think it looks like you’re just doing it for college apps. At least, I hope it doesn’t, because I have more than 5, and I have friends who have at least 10.

9

Check out “How to be a High School Superstar” by Cal Newport.

“The basic message of the book is this: Don’t wear yourself out taking as many classes as you can and being involved in every club and sport. Instead, leave yourself enough free time to explore your interests. Cultivate one interest and make it into something special that will make you stand out among the other applicants and get you into the toughest schools, even if your grades and scores aren’t stellar. Newport calls this the “relaxed superstar approach,” and he shows you how to really do this, breaking the process down into three principles, explained and illustrated with real life examples of students who got into top schools: (1) underscheduling—making sure you have copious amounts of free time to pursue interesting things, (2) focusing on one or two pursuits instead of trying to be a “jack of all trades,” and (3) innovation—developing an interesting and important activity or project in your area of interest. This fruit yielded by this strategy, an interesting life and real, meaningful achievements, is sure to help not only with college admissions, but getting a job, starting a business, or whatever your goals.”

http://www.examiner.com/review/be-a-relaxed-high-school-superstar

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@bopper I’m trying to focus on community service and engineering ECs. So which ones would you suggest?

As I stated before, I don’t think doing over 4-6 ECs is good. Some of these ECs are only during certain seasons (ie. like my robotics) so they will not be full year.

11

Man, to be able to do it all over again…
As a senior who has just submitted their apps (and is rather disappointed by their ECs), let me say this.
Anyone can be a part of an extracurricular, especially one with once a month meetings. If you genuinely enjoy these, and they make you who you are, absolutely do them. If you want to stand out, you’re going to need something more involved.
Devoting a large chunk of your time to one or two extracurricular activities is always best, as it allows you to really make advances as far as leadership and noteworthy accomplishment. None of these seem particularly strong in that aspect.
If volunteering means a lot to you, then you should start up some projects on your own, not just join an existing one. If you love STEM, why not do some research, or get involved in some science fairs? If diversity and activism mean a lot to you, get involved in local political groups.
That advice is what I’ve learned after years of being at the top of my class, surrounded by Ivy bound rich kids with college counselors and the like (some of my closest friends, I’ll add).
Furthermore, what clubs are these that only meet once a month? Do you have any through your school? Most of the ones at mine meet at least once a week (my student council meets every day for 20 minutes, as well as two hours every other week, for instance).
Of course, none of this matters unless the things you do are things you genuinely enjoy. You are worth much more than your college application. I just speak so clinically because, as a theatre kid, I wish I had focused in and really devoted more time to doing shows and such outside of my school, to have a well developed spike when applying to college. Best of luck to you!

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@natmadison The reason why I can not join many clubs within my school that have lots of meetings is because they conflict with doctors appointments. (Long term medical problem.) Should have mentioned that earlier… And believe me, I have tried so hard to make it work, but it just doesn’t.

So my solution to that is joining clubs outside of school. They are outside organizations, (run by adults in their free time) that have jobs. They can’t hold meetings every week. Which works out for me, because although I can do the work, I can’t always come to the meetings.

I know focusing on one or two things is seen as best. My favorite EC is robotics but is not all year… only six weeks. I’m not even sure I’ll be able to hold a leadership position, because leaders can not miss very many meetings. That is why things like rocketry would still keep my engineering going when it’s not robotics season. From the advice you’ve been given by your guidance consolers, does that sound appropriate?

The other EC I do that is important to me (through the service club) is a teacher’s assistant for a first grade class, where I help teach. That’s the only leadership role I have as of now. And probably one of the only ones due to my situation.

My two biggest loves are engineering and education, especially helping minorities learn STEM.

I have plans for the summer to see if I can make a STEM camp for students who are in the same medical situation as me, but it would have ranging degrees of severity and I’m not sure all accommodations for the kids will be able to be met, so it’s a long shot…

Anyway, I know I don’t have as much time as others which is why those clubs that only have meetings once a month work out for me better. Did you have any other suggestions for me?

13

Engineering? Math-sci acivities where you use your wits and collaborate.

Rather than form your own camp, you can can work with one (or a mentoring or tutor program) that already exists. Don’t spin your wheels. An existing group presumes some adult involvement and structure, not a random one-man show.

You’ve previously said you may be short on time and over-extending. Since you’re in robotics now, keep it. Personally, I’d say pick one extra from rocketry, astronomy or math circle. Then Habitat. If you can find a different, ongoing service opp where you work with the needy, so much the better, for you and for them. That’s not hands off, not one hour/week (by the time you get your coat off and your assignment, too much time is lost.) Once/mo, several hours of effort, for the next 2 years, would be fine.

Again, don’t spin your wheels. Just decide and get going.

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@equationlover The long-term medical issue definitely changes things! Sorry if I sounded unempathetic.
With an issue like that, self-directed extracurriculars would likely be ideal, stuff that wouldn’t have you on a strict schedule.
If you don’t mind me asking, are you a minority yourself? And what year are you in high school? Do you have a particular field in STEM that you’re passionate about?
The first thing that comes to mind is Google Science Fair, which is online and would be awesome to get involved in; it would be your own self directed project, and you’d simply have to meet the deadline, which is usually sometime in May.
The camp sounds like an excellent idea, and it also sounds as though it would encompass all of the things that you care so much about. Definitely start working on that, and see what’s possible. Let me add that the internet is a powerful tool; perhaps you could launch an online camp that kids could be able to access from anywhere? Or make it into a club of sorts, and have volunteers who could take the camp to the kids? It’s hard to tell without knowing which medical issue you’re suffering from, so I’m sure you know better than I do what is and isn’t feasible.
Politics could also still be a good thing to consider; it may not be STEM, but garnering support for a candidate who stands for the same issues you do is always powerful, especially with midterm elections coming up (though I’m not sure if you’ll still be in high school by then).
Just some ideas, from a stranger on the internet. Best of luck to you. If it’s any consolation, I understand how hard it is to have such an atypical high school experience. Keep fighting for what you’re passionate about.
Also, if your heart’s set on Ohio, the Math Circle seems like an excellent way to show serious interest in the school and start forming relationships inside it. Just a thought.

15

You said you can volunteer at the observatory as part of astronomy. So that would up your service hours AND let you do one of the activities you are most interested in.

16

The math circle one may be beneficiary if you are set on going to OSU. The LOR from the professor could really help.

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which major do you plan to take? all depends on major, develop a HUGE spike in 1 or max 3 activites. if you want to be all rounded students, your chances of admission will fall down :slight_smile: go develop SPIKE, that what makes you standout ,otherwise you will be one of many identical applicants.

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@natmadison Are you allowed to start projects before the start date? When I looked on the website, the Google Science Fair didn’t state anything about a start date, it still only had stuff up from last year.

I kind of have already have a project going, but I don’t think I’ll be able to enter it intime to my regional science fair, so that would be awesome (especially if it was all online!)

You all have given me so much to think about. I think I’ll go with rocketry for now, maybe find some other types of volunteering to do.

I am trying to only focus on a few ECs… rocketry will be for off season engineering besides robotics, volunteering of course all year, but especially focused on education.

@lookingforward They don’t have any STEM camp around for the visually impaired/legally blind. I have lots of connections with people in the field, so coming up with people to help me lead or who have experience with accommodating this wouldn’t be a problem—the biggest one I could think of would be funding… If the funding is a issue, I could always try a fundraiser or in the end just help pass along the idea.