How are my ECs?

Applying to College
1

<p>I was wondering how competitive my ECs are and what I can do to improve them (i'm a junior right now). I don't have many, but I put a ton of time and effort into each. </p>

<p>Wrestling-4 Years varsity, by the end of high school will probably have some pretty good accolades/accomplishments, and probably be a captain.
-also in the Sports Involvement Club for talented athletes
NJROTC-4 Years, officer</p>

<p>French Club-2.5 years, officer</p>

<p>Job-a year as a busboy at an Italian restaurant, summer jobs at a marina</p>

<p>Community service- >100 hours accumulated from various sources</p>

<p>Orienteering-4 years, no officer position but i was one of the only freshmen to do it and i've won competitions</p>

<p>Academic team-3 years, no officer position but i work hard at it and spend a lot of time</p>

<p>hopefully (knock on wood) NHS and/or Spanish HS senior year.</p>

2

<p>If you’re applying to prestigious schools, your EC’s don’t stand out that much. One way to improve them is be a little more specific at what you did. For example, what is “academic team” and what did you do in it?</p>

3

<p>well i’m not sure if you’re asking me, but it’s like a quiz bowl type thing. And yeah on a real application I would provide more detail.</p>

4

<p>For 99% of the schools in this country, your ECs look great. The key is this: “I don’t have many, but I put a ton of time and effort into each.” You don’t need a laundry list. You need a few things that you care about. </p>

<p>For the top 1%, the most selective schools in the US, those are still good enough ECs. They won’t get you in, but they won’t hold you back. Feel good about what you’ve accomplished and keep up the good work. Just remember that your grades and test scores have to be in range before they even look at your ECs.</p>

5

<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) While I don’t agree with everything in them, take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>

6

<p>I think your ECs look good! Write some passionate essays! Best of luck.</p>

7

<p>Do you have the grades for West Point or Annapolis? Your ECs look like a list for a pre-military kid.</p>

<p>Wrestling is by far the hardest HS sport, so bonus points for that one. If you are Fargo good, then big bonus points.</p>