How important is EC's and leadership?

<p>I think my stats are good enough, but I believe I lack these two things: E/C’s and leadership. I really haven’t done anything at my current school b/c I don’t like any extracurricular activities (well except orchestra). I ran for the VP twice but never won the position, so I think I can’t really show my leadership. Does anyone without EC’s get into Brown? I think my stats are good enough to try, and I want to apply ED, but I am worried. If my essays are creative, would it be possible to get in even though my EC’s aren’t so outstanding?</p>

<p>You definately need ECs and leadership.
If you didn't win the election, you could of still helped out on some aspect of student government, if you were really interested. I know at my school, anyone can come to student council meetings and be a walk-on.
I think the lack of those two criteria show a lack of initiative.
If you're a senior, all you can do is hope your academics are good enough, if you're an underclassman, my advice would be to find something to do.</p>

<p>Okay, so this is my situation (please help):
I just started my junior year by the way</p>

<p>3 years of Kiwins (2 years on the "executive board" -although we don't do anything special)
Aloha club (this and the rest of the clubs below I started this year and will continue)
Spanish club
International club
Interact Club
1 year science club (frosh year-this is the only club that I won't continue for senior year)</p>

<p>Bigbrothers/bigsisters(junior/senior year)
Child Watch @YMCA (junior/senior)</p>

<p>JV tennis frosh year
Vars tennis soph/junior/senior</p>

<p>If you haven't already noticed, I don't ahve any leadership roles. I plan on running for pres/vice pres for basically all my clubs senior year, but will it look just as bad on college apps. I LOVE brown...I can't find anything wrong with it...but will Brown think that these ECs are horrible?</p>

<p>It's not too late...you can always volunteer to chair a StuCo committee. At my daughter's school, only the hardcore drinkers/partiers ever get elected to anything...and then they rely heavily on the workhorses who volunteer to chair committees to get anything done. Most admissions counselors know this and give a lot of weight to this committee work.</p>

<p>Or if there is no school PEER or tutoring club, ask a teacher if you can start one (you get to be President that way...grin). Also consider starting a volunteer tutoring program outside of school for local middle and elementary school-age children...my daughter did this and was amazed at how many kids really need the help and cannot afford to pay private tutors. This would show both leadership, initiative and community service.</p>

<p>ECs and leadership don't have to be through your school. What do you do in your free time?</p>

<p>tennis, bigbrothers/sisters, and I am starting at the YMCA to volunteer with childwatch</p>

<p>There ya go. You can spin leadership into almost anything, if you're clever. Since Brown's application is open-ended enough to write a paragraph or small essay instead of a list, if you are lacking ECs, I highly recommend you do so. It allows you to explain your ECs, go into detail about how you are involved, etc. Much more meaningful than a list.</p>

<p>ooooooooo excellent......brown really IS the perfect school :P</p>

<p>I have been working every sunday at an acupuncture clinic center, and that seems to be the only one that would stand out. I didn't get involved in many EC activities at school because my current school doesn't offer clubs and sports programs that I want to be in. At my previous school, I played football and was on track team, but my current school doesn't have the teams, so I couldn't continue to do what I love. :(</p>

<p>the Ivies would ask you why you didn't start up football or track clubs yourself</p>

<p>because there ain't no team to play against, and the principal won't approve it. And ppl in my school don't like football. They like basketball and soccer a lot, but i rarely see a person who likes football.</p>

<p>Just curious, do you go to school in Hawaii? I assumed that from the Aloha club.</p>

<p>yes indeed.................</p>