How valuable are my ECs?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hey there. I’ve been really worried about whether my extracurriculars are good enough to be a valuable asset to my application. I’ve already tried looking around CC for some advice. If would be really helpful to me if you could please rate each of my ecs on a scale from 1- 5. I would also love it if you could give me some feedback on how I can grow :smile: . If it helps, I am a African American female applying next year.

First Lego Robotics-

Definitely something I’m proud of. With Qualifiers, we got 1st place Champions Award out of 20 teams (basically first overall). We advance to Regionals with about 40 teams and had the highest performing robot. When we got to State, we didn’t advance, but we got first place Inpiration Award and we were in the top 5 out of about 365 teams. (Top 4 advances to international…so close! :cry:)

Musical Theatre-

I love love love to sing, so I decided to try out Musical Theatre. Because I was so scared, I completely bombed the audition, but I still got a minor part. I would definitely do it again, but unfortunately my parents have told me it was a waste of time.

Volunteering-

I recently called my local library and asked if they needed some volunteers. Now, I’m going there every Saturday (just started a couple of days ago!)

Business Fair-

When I grow up, I would like to be a tech entrepreneur. Last year, in social studies for a project, we had to write a fake letter to the school board about one thing we think we should change in our community. I said that we should have better entrepreneurship programs, and I proposed a business fair. Earlier this year, I stumbled on it again and decided to make it happen! I prepared a pitch deck and I worked to my teacher, and we got over 20 businesses and 35 kids to participate!

Fiverr Account-

I love doing graphic design, so to earn a bit of extra money, I started my own freelancing business on Fiverr. I have had over 50 customers and counting.

Voice-

I also love love love love love singing (as a hobby). I would say I am pretty good at it too. I definitely want to get involved in the chorus programs at my new school. Would it help if I submitted a sample.

Entrepreneurship Award in my state-

I have gotten a top award in my state for being a young entrepreneur. Pretty competitive.

Startup-

I am currently working on a startup. I have over 2500 people subscribed to my business email list, and I have been featured in a top news publication (think forbes level)

One more question:

Would South Carolina be considered as an underrepresented state?

I’m sorry if it seems like I’m bragging. I just genuinely want some feedback on my ecs. Thanks.

2

Hey, I know this is later, but you gave me advice that was really helpful so here I am :slight_smile:
Wow - you have a lot of impressive extracurriculars!
I think that you should put a singing sample because it will help boost that extracurricular.
Robotics is also an interesting but common extracurricular.
The startup is definitely a good lead.
If you need more help, just ask :slight_smile:

3

Aw, thanks for the advice. I’m so happy I’ve found a fellow CDB applicant!

4

Hi @mssweeteaa - You have impressive ECs. I agree with our fellow applicant @AlpacaSnake that you should include a singing sample (as ‘Work Sample’)

The startup project, freelancing business (on Fiverr) and entrepreneurial award are excellent stuff; First Lego and Musical Theater participation is also good.

Volunteering - that’s excellent you are voluntarily supporting local library. It speaks highly of your character.

Good luck!

5

@STEMkid345 I forgot about this thread, but thanks for the helpful advice!

6

Agree that you have nice ECs

Disagree about sending a singing sample. Loving to sing is not enough.
A general rule is that for a music supplement to be helpful it should be of extremely high quality (conservatory level or close). If you want to do a sample I would run it by the music teacher in your HS or another professional before sending it in.

7

Oops sorry…if this is for prep school admissions the bar on a supplement would likely be be lower…but I would still have any potential supplement reviewed by a music teacher before you decide to submit it.

8

@happy1 Thanks!

9

I think South Carolina isn’t underrepresented, but it definitely isn’t over represented so that’s a neutral zone. I think musical theatre would be strong points on your application. Since your parents are doubting it, just tell them that its just on the app and you won’t be tethered to once you actually get to the school.

Just wondering, what schools are you thinking of applying to?

All schools love volunteers, but Taft seems to always find an extra spot for people who serve their community. :wink:

10

Hey @ceruleanistic,

I originally thought I would do better at Exeter, but know, I’m thinking Andover. Of course, these are very competitive schools, so I’ll have to find some other options if possible.

11

@ceruleanistic - Taft is a great school, and I plan to apply there, besides applying to SPS, Hotchkiss and Choate. The admissions cycle is still a few months away; I will add a couple of more schools to the list. Besides other factors which I am considering, I am primarily interested in schools who have 600-800 students (neither nor too big not too small)

12

@mssweeteaa I’d encourage you to cast a net widely in where you apply.

Search out schools that have entrepreneurship programs/classes, lively entrepreneurship/business clubs, and/or partnerships with business for entrepreneurship. I’d also consider schools that are maybe new to that but want to build their program. And I agree with everyone saying this is your “spike” and what makes you stand out.

I’m no expert, but I agree with others here that musical theater could help you. It showcases your singing, plus it demonstrates you can work on a team and that you have school spirit.

If you don’t continue with musical theater, maybe join a club/EC related to singing, perhaps perform at your school’s talent show. It is one thing to be good at singing & enjoy it and then say on your application “I promise I will use my singing in boarding school” – its another to say “I have used my singing interest/talents at my current school and I will continue to do so.” FYI, the application we used (SAO) let us attach links in awards (maybe for activities too?), so you could show a video of you on stage singing (though I think SAO is not accepted as an application platform for the schools you are currently interested in, but maybe they have something similar).

Robotics is not super unique (true), yet for us (my son does robotics) a good number of schools seemed really interested in his robotics EC. FYI: it is less common for females than males to do robotics. And from what I’ve seen, it is an uncommon EC for African-American females, so I actually think you doing robotics is another big strength.

Good luck with everything! Are you studying hard for the SSAT?

13

@LeeLeeB Yep, Right now, I’m applying to the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, and the deadline is on April 15th. Once I’m done, yep, I’m definitely going to start studying! One Question: Did your son do First Lego League or First Robotics? I did First Lego League. It’s cool that your son is also in Robotics!

14

Wait hold on what??? On your reply to the user @varun4590’s thread, you said you were a 7th grader, but now you’re saying you are applying to college next year??? So are you a junior or are you a 7th grader? Your story doesn’t add up.

15

Oh wait, this is for prep school admissions! ohhhhh I’m so sorry OP I thought you were applying to college.

16

@popcornboy123 It’s okay! Mistakes happen.

17

@mssweeteaa Your ECs are impressive! Good work. Out of curiosity, what are your grades and SAT or ACT scores?