<p>Hey everyone! I'm in Sauk Valley Community College right now, in northwestern Illinois, and hoping to transfer to UIUC in a couple years. How important are extracurricular activities going to be for me? Also, what exactly can I count as an EC?</p>
<p>My CC is somewhat limited as far as EC's go. I'm planning on joining the Math Club next semester...and I've also heard through the grapevine that the school newspaper is looking for some new staff. That's something I've considered looking into.</p>
<p>I'm also trying to get into Americorps. I just picked up an application yesterday, and I'll be getting it turned in next week after the holiday. I'm planning on doing the minimum, 8-15 hours...but am I correct in assuming that this would be a good looking EC on a university app? I'm partially doing it for the money that's involved, but I've also got a strong desire to give back to the community. </p>
<p>I also ran a tree trimming company with my brother for about 6 years before I started going back to school. Would this count as an EC? If so, would this be a good EC? We did run the company very successfully, and the only reason we're not doing it anymore is because we're both back in school. We were both getting tired of doing physical work...and decided to take the smarter route.</p>
<p>I'll also likely be joining Phi Theta Kappa after I get a few more credits done.</p>
<p>I also lead a math study group, and I'll likely be leading some more study groups throughout my next couple years in CC.</p>
<p>What about hobbies? I'm really into playing guitar, mountain biking, hiking and backpacking. Are these types of things worth mentioning?</p>
<p>Anyone have any recommendations? From what I've listed, would this constitute a pretty solid list of EC's?</p>
<p>All the big state schools care somewhat less about ECs than private schools do. As long as you maintain your grades, you should be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for your comment. :)</p>
<p>This is something I’m finding out as I’m doing more research. So, in light of that…I think I’m going to skip working for the school paper. I simply won’t have time for it over the next couple of years. I’ll still likely join the Math Club though, because that can only help as far as math goes. I’m also still going to try to get into Americorps, because the money that they offer would help me out immensely. Even just working the minimum for the next couple years, I’d be able to put away a good chunk to put towards my schooling.</p>
<p>You can look at the Common Data Set for UIUC. [University</a> of Illinois: Student Enrollment Reports](<a href=“Student Enrollment”>Student Enrollment) Section D shows that the HS transcript is requested of all transfer students and Section C7 states ECs are important for freshmen. Work counts as a Big EC. Just keep your grades up.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link. I forgot to mention, I actually never finished high school, and I get a GED. I’ll be transferring as a junior, after I get my associates. I’ve done a lot more research, and it looks like EC’s aren’t too huge of an issue with transfer students at the schools I want to go to. They’re worried more about test scores and grades than they are EC’s. Between running my own business for all that time though, and getting involved in the Math Club and Americorps, it sounds like I should be good to go.</p>
<p>Aside from UIUC, I’m also looking at IIT…as well as looking at UIC a little bit. These all seem to have a fairly similar policy regarding transfers, in the EC’s aren’t of the utmost importance.</p>