<p>"So many students do it just to look good. That means everyone should do the most ECs just to have a chance. "</p>
<p>Adcoms at ALL the top schools are on to long laundry lists of ECS, and DON'T like them - rather than do the "most," you should focus on maybe two that you really love. Worked for all my kids (in top ten schools). I was anIvy interviewer for 15 years and I am sure NSM and others could back me up on this....</p>
<p>Sry to displease, but I got into Brown, Cornell, and MIT, and I made up all of my EC's and legacy... guess they don't check after all</p>
<p>Yes I am an interviewer too.</p>
<p>When my D was filling out applications and she totaled up her weekly hours in her sport and in her musical groups it was clear that there would be no way to do a third EC of equal depth and still sleep and pass classes. </p>
<p>One sport-- daily practices, matches, some weekend matches, travel, & captain duties-- was being conservative, something like 17 hours a week during the season.</p>
<p>My D went crazy as a freshman this club that club, she has focused herself on two passions- politics and costumes for the shows....her activities are all related....she does politics because she likes making a difference, and costumes because it is fun : the people in the shows are fun...</p>
<p>Backing nedad up.
In fact, the long laundry lists of ECs look suspicious. Most of the time, they are filled with padding.</p>
<p>Regardless , you have to have great ECs, even if you'd rather just study and learn everything you can.</p>
<p>
[quote]
When my D was filling out applications and she totaled up her weekly hours in her sport and in her musical groups it was clear that there would be no way to do a third EC of equal depth and still sleep and pass classes.
[/quote]
The maximum hours is about 54, I think. </p>
<p>In general, a hook is something that the college wants and that is a prominant part of your application. Anyone heard of an essay being a major hook?</p>
<p>mensa: then make your ECs something intellecutal-- research project, special clubd that dovetail with an academic interest (i.e. Civil War re-enactments for a History buff, building robots for engineer, etc)</p>
<p>gianievve: Essay itself not a hook, but truly great writer could = hook.</p>
<p>Yeah, I think it's a huge waste of time to do things just to pad your resume for college. I refused to fall into that trap during high school...and subsequently was told by my gc that i had a poor chance at the Ivies, since i hadn't spent enough time getting "well-rounded" and packaging myself. well, i ended up getting into an Ivy ED. i think the importance of ECs is extremely overestimated, since they are just one factor (and a non-academic one at that)...i think it's the big picture that counts.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Regardless , you have to have great ECs, even if you'd rather just study and learn everything you can.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I second what SBmom said. If what you actually enjoy is learning, then do that and try to create some knowledge yourself (research papers, science projects, etc).</p>
<p>Would it be good to convey that although I only play football at the varsity level in high school, I have played sports all my life (all seasons) and still play rec-league basketball and snowboard? Also, should I list football camps that I did in the summer on my applications? I'm guessing yes?</p>
<p>Also, I built my own computer and have interest in them, yet I don't have any awards/classes to show it. Is the only way to convey my interest in something like this through an essay?</p>
<p>I have a bunch of things I'm involved with, but a politics forum is what I like the most</p>
<p>It's because I'm really interested in communications/politics</p>
<p>What are you interested in?</p>
<p>Things like Science Olympiad, Future Business Leaders of America, and DECA Marketing Association are examples of organizations that you can join and compete with other students - you have to study and work if you want to win, but those are just some suggestions if you aren't really sure of what else you like to do</p>
<p>odan,</p>
<p>yes to both ideas. If these activities are important for you, a part of you, they need to find a way into the app. Essay is a fine way, or if there is something else you prefer to write about, you can also put miscellaneous stuff under "Additional Information," a page which is in the Common App and most others. If there is no Additional Info, page make one but keep it simple and only important things.</p>
<p>mensa - Not everyone gets admitted to an Ivy (or similar school) because of a hook. Sometimes, an applicant comes across as exceptionally intelligent, interesting, and friendly, and the adcoms feel this person will add to the campus community. </p>
<p>So in the next few months, find some things you like to do. (Do them because you ENJOY them, not because you are searching for an elusive "hook.") Let yourself grow. Make yourself happy. You'll find all this will do wonders for your applications.</p>
<p>jamimom is correct.</p>
<p>Also I'd like to add that your EC dosn't have to be with a school or with a group. It could be independent, but its something you're dedicated to, something you stay up late at night working on...etc.</p>
<p>The EC thing is totally bogus; still, it's the tail that wags the dog, because it's the tie breaker at a time when and SAT and GPA of 1500+ and 3.9 put you mid-pack. Maybe the adcoms could spend some of the application money they get actually delving into academics instead of flipping a coin based on bogus EC's. It should be about grades and SATs, so I wouldn't be forced to become a national basketweaving champ to get into an IVY.</p>
<p>yup mensa has a point,</p>
<p>According to US News</p>
<p>Grades = 78% importance
While Extraciricular = 7% importance</p>
<p>EC's come in last, most because as they state in, its a "tip factor" which can sway you in the right direction when 2 ppl have the exact same stats</p>
<p>I dont agree with that assessment at all. As anyone can tell from the Columbia ED boards here, most of the kids with 1500+ and 3.8+ were rejected or deferred. Kids with 1400+ and 1300+ and 3.7-3.9 UW GPA's were admitted (such as myself). After speaking with many of the new admits, many have amazing extra curriculars, but that there are very few of them. Everyone was passionate on 1 or 2 and displayed that. They also had spectacular essays. </p>
<p>While grades are the most important factor, it is not nearly the entire picture. Admission to Ivy League and similar caliber schools should not and needs not to be based on just GPA and SAT. If that were true, then all of the Ivies would be filled with nothing but bookworms who do nothing but study. By accepting kids with "lesser" stats and with some dedication to a select number of EC's and have made themselves unique through their essays, the Ivy League and those top schools are ensuring that their graduates will succeed after college.</p>
<p>If Ivies based admission only on stats, the Ivies would wipe out what makes the Ivies special. The Ivies are not notable because they are filled with nerds and bookworms who do nothing but study. What makes places like Harvard remarkable is how they are filled with students who are passionate about pursuing ECs as well as passionate about their academics.</p>
<p>As the Harvard website says, "Much of the value of a Harvard education lies in things learned outside the classroom and in the relationships established with others in the community, especially with fellow students.</p>
<p>Extracurricular opportunities at Harvard are virtually limitless with nearly 300 official student organizations including performing and visual arts groups, 41 varsity athletic teams, student government, public service organizations, more than 50 ethnic and cultural groups, publications, and media projects...." <a href="http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/student_life/%5B/url%5D">http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/student_life/</a></p>
<p>For students who are looking for the best college experience when it comes to studying academics, there are other colleges that are far better matches.</p>
<p>For students who want to be able to enjoy fine academics as well as having the opportunity to passionately pursue extracurricular interests, places like Harvard are perfect. That's why Harvard looks at more than the numbers. It wants students who will contribute to the life of the various campus organizations, and who will willingly do this for the pure enjoyment, not for pay or for extra credit in class.</p>
<p>People whose idea of fun is not running a social service program or publishing a newspaper or having the lead in a play while also being premed or prelaw should go elsewhere. There are plenty of colleges in the country that will be delighted to admit students with high stats and little else going for them. In fact, there are many colleges that will give such students excellent merit aid.</p>
<p>Large Universities and most ivies do put most emphasis on grades and scores. The problem is that they have thousands of applicants with tiptop grades and scores. So if you base your chances totally on tests and academics, then youre a bean in the lottery. </p>
<p>LACs view applicants more holistically. Grades, Scores + talent, interests, character. You can compensate for a weakness with a strength in another area.</p>
<p>Passions (my, I hate that word) cant be faked. (Except in Harry met Sally.) Find something outside of academics that you love doing and do it with vigor. It doesnt have to be school or community service related. It can be personal and quirky. Collect beetles, for heavens sake. Basically schools are looking for interesting people who do interesting things: Ask not what your college can do for you but what you can contribute to the campus society. If that doesnt describe you, then youre back in the lottery with all the other high achievers.</p>