<p>So I've realised recently the importance of EC for college admission. But how exactly do I insert them on the common app. Obviously I mentioned them in the activities section and in my essays. But is there anything else I should do ? like send recommendation and attestation letters of community service and sports by mail?
Thanks</p>
<p>That’s it.
Letters of recommendation should be from academic teachers.
Some ECs can be represented in a supplement - recordings of musical performance or samples of artwork, reprint of a published research paper.<br>
You can ask your letter writers, particularly the guidance counselor/school official one, to mention your other contributions to the school, such as sports or service. </p>
<p>Activities is the correct place to list your most important ECs. And writing about any in your essay is often a good idea. That’s it. Often the teacher or counselor recommendation will mention the ones you do at school. No not send attestation letters no, it is on the honor system.</p>
<p>So what keeps me from saying anything I want if I don’t have to prove it, like that I have won 5 national competitions, and was ranked 6th worldwide in a sport championship ? @BrownParent @VSGPeanut101 </p>
<p>Nothing. Besides some common sense.</p>
<p>Can and do kids lie or exaggerate? You bet. Stupid thing is that 99.9% if the time, it’s worthless. Most colleges don’t care about ECs or honors or awards. They look at your transcript/scores and you’re in (along with 4 yrs of tuition, of course). They’re not going to verify because it’s meaningless to them.</p>
<p>For the handful of schools where ECs matter, the students over estimate the value piddly stuff like a) 200 vol hours vs. an actual 20 hours or b) President of club X vs. member or c) “Founder” of club Y (which only met twice) – These which can easily be exaggerated or lied about? They’re equally meaningless as well. The items that are meaningful are easily verifiable (national honors, competitions, published articles). </p>
<p>So you want to say you were the President of 5 school clubs and volunteered 6000 hours feeding homeless veteran disabled puppies? Go right ahead. No certificate needed.</p>
<p>I guess you are of the school of though that if you can get away with it you should? I didn’t say they wouldn’t ever inquire or look up national awards and rankings. Credibility and honesty in applications is taken very seriously. Schools here really do not want cheaters and liars so if they think something is off they will follow up.</p>