How do I better my extra curriculars?

[katievd97]

<p>I'm only going to be a junior this year, so I'm wondering if I have time to change my extra curriculars for the better.</p>

<p>I want to study engineering at one of the top universities, but after reading the results thread, I am questioning whether I will get into one of these schools.</p>

<p>For the violin: I play in the school orchestra, pit orchestra,local youth orchestra and regional orchestra (the latter two are audition only)</p>

<p>For swimming: I swim for high school, summer team, and club team
I'm not good enough to be recruited, but I'm wondering if it would be worth it to step up my training </p>

<p>I feel like those two are my main extracurriculars, but am I conveying my passion enough? Other than that, I..</p>

<p>Have three summer jobs: camp counselor (16 hrs /week), lifeguard (15 hrs/week) and snack bar (14 hrs/week)</p>

<p>Volunteer at hospital (100+ hrs), summer camp (180 total hours), and do other service as a requirement of my school </p>

<p>Clubs: yearbook (future president), book club (president), SADD club, career club, Friends of Rachel club</p>

<p>I've been told I have no focus but I have no idea what I can do to narrow my focus...I enjoy everything I do. I also do not know how I could bring more depth into the activities i do. Finally, I realize I lack some engineering activities but could this absence affect what colleges consider of my ECs?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for any help you are able to give me.</p>

[mikemac]

<p>Keep in mind that out of the 3,000 or so 4-year colleges in the US EC’s are important for admission at only a small fraction. Perhaps the most selective 100 or so. Many students worry needlessly about EC’s.</p>

<p>The question about impressive EC’s 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>As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. Stanford, for example, says

Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which one participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.

</p>

<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) I don’t buy into his underlying explanation of why they are impressive, but take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>

[halcyonheather]

<p>

Perhaps the most selective 100 or so.

</p>

<p>Yeah, but those are the only colleges people on here seem to want to go to.</p>

[yangmaster]

<p>^ True dat. I think mikemac posted everything there is to be said… All you can do is to pursue an activity you really like (perhaps violin in your case?) even further.</p>

[billcsho]

<p>Exactly, try to identify something you have passion on it. Having too many shallow EC is not very good.</p>