<p>what can i add to my seemingly dull ECs now that im almost halfway through my junior year to be more appealing to ivy level schools? Is there much i can do now that will make an impact? I know i cant become a world class pianist but is there anything that will help</p>
<p>EC: Hebrew school from 1st grade to current (postconfirmation)/ youth group
Honor and Service Society (11-12)
Peer Tutoring
Varsity Bowling (9-10)
Captain of bowling team in a league
Volunteer at library over summer
JV Volleyball (10) Varisty (11-12)
Work at synogouge on sundays as a teacher's assistant with special ed kids
Write a few articles for local newspaper
Model UN (11-12)
Philosophy Club (11-12)</p>
<p>What you can do is to take an EC that you love and then go into it in more depth. This could mean, for instance, expanding a program that you're involved already such as adding some elements to the peer tutoring program. It also could mean starting a program that fills an unfilled need at a place where you're already involved. An example would be starting some program at the library where you already volunteer. </p>
<p>Don't just do what you've always been doing or what your supervisors/advisors tell you to do. Come up with your own ideas, and then work to implement them.</p>
<p>Depth, not breadth is what impresses colleges. Right now, you have a laundry list of activities, but you don't have anything that indicates you're that interested in what you're doing.</p>
<p>those are some really good ideas but i cant think of any way to expand what i do...ill think about it but as of now im kinda in the blue regarding how i can expand anything</p>
<p>while i think about it if anyone has ideas it would be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>work hard to earn leadership roles at the beginning of senior year. </p>
<p>theres a big difference between </p>
<p>volleyball (10-12)</p>
<p>and volleyball (10-12) captain (12)</p>
<p>it confirms your actual involvement.</p>
<p>hmm i can try with that, idk how likely it will be seeing as how our volleyball team is full of eccentrics. i might be able to rejoin bowling as a captain since they loev me (but i cant stand them). hmmmm keep the ideas coming =)</p>
<p>lol this is really frustrating me. im worrying that i wont stick out at all. are there any ideas of strange or unique things i could start?</p>
<p>first of all, i have to say, i am completely against the idea of "buffing" up college applications just for the sake of applying. colleges want to see real interest, and buffing is a way to just beat the system. oh well.</p>
<p>Buffing doesn't work anyway. Colleges can tell when someone is doing something for resume dressing as the OP obviously is doing. If he was interested in his ECs, he wouldn't need to ask the kind of questions he's asking. He'd just follow his heart.</p>
<p>Don't try to do things for the sake of college applications. You are applying to colleges, and you should be accepted the way you are.</p>
<p>Do not start any strange or unique things for college applications. NSM gave good advice, as per usual. </p>
<p>Your activity with the most potential seems to be working with your Synagogue and kids with special needs. If this is something you are truly interested in, expand it, and make it your own. </p>
<p>Honestly, though, I hate people who do things for the sake of their applications. If you have no talent or passion or spark, you can't simply cultivate a facade of one. Apply as yourself. </p>
<p>I read NSM's second post after I wrote this. But, yes, what these accomplished kids do is follow their hearts. There is nothing to wonder or think about. I would not change what I do for any college in the world. I am a musician, and I need music. It is my passion, and it is my life. There is no question about it.</p>
<p>"Honestly, though, I hate people who do things for the sake of their applications. Apply as yourself."</p>
<p>Oh my gosh, I couldnt agree more. There were so many activites I started even before thinking about college and now I truly LOVE what Im doing. Buffing seems both stupid and pointless. If you have to buff to get in somewhere, you don't belong there in the first place.</p>
<p>IMO.</p>
<p>well right now i do what i like to do and it clearly isnt enough for the schools i want to go to. so if what i want to do isnt enough, do i really have a choice?</p>
<p>The highest up schools are looking for kids who can bring something to their school community. If you have nothing to give them, you will not be accepted.</p>
<p>well i highly doubt that every single kid accepted has a specific talent that adds to the school. Im very involved with my synogouge but it doesnt show it. so what am i supposed to do?</p>
<p>not only are ECs for showiung interest (which you dont seem to have) but also to show your ability to make a commitment (which you wont be able to build in the next 1.5 years)</p>
<p>basically, all im saying is, when you finalize your college list, be realistic by keeping in mind how much of an asset you will <em>really</em> be at a school</p>
<p>I must also mention, of course, there are tons of fantastic schools at all levels. Kids can shine at small LACs that are easier to get into who would get lost in the crowd at a large school like Michigan. Find the qualities you are looking for in schools, and find schools you love that match those qualities--at all levels of competition. </p>
<p>If a more competitive school does not feel like you could add significantly to their campus, there are tons of great schools a level lower who would love to have you as an applicant and as a student.</p>
<p>These responses at the same time are gettting confusing.
[quote]
well i highly doubt that every single kid accepted has a specific talent that adds to the school.
[/quote]
At the most competitive schools, every single student was determined to have some quality that would add something to the campus, whether that be intelligence, talent, or something else.
[quote]
Im very involved with my synogouge but it doesnt show it. so what am i supposed to do?
[/quote]
If you love what you do, continue to do it.</p>
<p>You should be concerned with doing what you love to do, not doing what colleges think you should love to do. This is your life, here. Live it as your own.</p>
<p>i know i know there are just two specific colleges that i love and i really want to get into but meh</p>
<p>I'm curious: How come you wrote the below this fall, yet said in other posts this fall that you had a string of 800s and/or scores in the mid 700s?
"yeah im taking the SAT I in december for the first time since 7th grade (got a 550 math 500 verbal then but that means nothign really lol). "</p>
<p>i think in 7th grade he got the 550 and 500</p>
<p>btw, what are your two colleges of choice? based on that, we might be able to give some advice.</p>