In the town where I live, kids spend their summers doing some very elaborate ECs: a summer in Rome studying art; a month at an ivy league college taking classes; a community service stint building huts in Thailand, and so on and so on.
The perception here is that these things will boost a kids’ chances of getting into a top school.
I’m skeptical. If I were an ad com, seeing those things on a application would tell me one thing: This kid’s parents have a lot of money.
The community service thing particularly gets to me. By my lights, there’s something unattractive about spending $6,000 to let a kid spent time in an impoverished developing country. Esp. since we’re got plenty impoverished neighborhoods one could visit for a lot less.
Still, these programs continue to thrive. Am I missing something?
<p>no, you aren't missing anything. Ad coms obviously see this kind of thing all the time, and I imagine they are wise to it by now. NYLC and any kind of "young leaders conference" are more examples of these type of ECs.</p>
<p>While it isn't an EC per se, all these stupid "Who's Who in America's High School's" and other companies that try to get you to buy a yearbook are really ****ing me off. </p>
<p>I guess some EC's such as RSI do have an importance, and don't leave an admissions counsellor asking "was he/she really trying to boost his Ec's?"</p>
<p>well, what if you really do like the Ec you're doing? just because you have the money and the resources doesn't mean you should be punished for using them. i really like Junior Statesmen of America, which is a national organization which has a bunch of chapters at high schools. and i'm going to their summer school, which is pricey. i know that many can't afford it, but just because i can and want to means that adcoms will look down on me?</p>
<p>I don't mean to imply there is anything <em>wrong</em> with doing anything that you want and like and can afford. My question was whether or not they actually give applicants an edge.</p>
<p>gotta say not really. but at least it shows you're doing something with your summer. it's not a shoe-in or anything.</p>
<p>and that high-priced community service thing can be looked at a buncha different ways. i would want to give people the benefit of the doubt. maybe they had a passion for helping thai natives. or maybe they were thai themselves?</p>
<p>None of those things is going to be a shoo-in at any top level college. Admissions officers are going to look below the surface and search for the impact of your EC. Like with any other EC, even for high priced ones, they mean nothing unless you can demonstrate how they impacted you through your essays and teacher recs.</p>
<p>
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i really like Junior Statesmen of America, which is a national organization which has a bunch of chapters at high schools. and i'm going to their summer school, which is pricey.
[/quote]
What you want to do is write about your passion for JSA in a personal essay. Make JSA work for YOU! Otherwise, some adcoms may look at it as just another EC.</p>
<p>Dude - totally thinking the same thing about impovished countries. Why the hell are we helping out 3rd world countries will all of our resources when we still have starving people in the streets of the United States? While I can't deny that other countries might need help, we have to tend to our own borders first.</p>
<p>I read somewhere that AdComs are seeing SO many people going to mexico and stuff to build houses...it almost isn't even a factor in your application anymore. It's just another blanket EC that doesn't show any passion.</p>
<p>
[quote]
NYLC and any kind of "young leaders conference" are more examples of these type of ECs.
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NYLC for Technology is in town this week. I see the kids downtown San Jose (CA) and they never look like they are enjoying the experience. IMHO, NYLC is way overpriced for what students get (i.e. a few Silicon Valley company and college tours).</p>
<p>like i ll be going to india this summer, since all of my family practically lives there, and i am indian, so will it actually not help me if i decide to do some work there such as building huts etc? since I have some free time, and it can be better spent rather than wasting my time in front of a tv</p>
<p>sometimes i want to go to these national EC's, like to DC or NYC or international or even sacramento for me, but i can't afford it, especially if it's not paid or if i have to pay fees and housing. i feel like i'm disadvantaged because of where i live and because the place i live doesn't offer the best of the stuff i'm looking for. even if it doesn't impress colleges, i would at least want to experience it for myself and for fun.</p>
<p>^ I agree with that, like I was invited to some ridiculous NYLF on Diplomacy and Defense or something in DC and I'd really like to do, but it's $1,500 I don't have, but I spend a lot of money on debate tournaments nationally, so that's why, I still agree though.</p>