I need Extracurriculars

I am a high school senior. I don’t have any extra curriculars related to my intended major. Will doing some online courses from Saylor Academy ( www.saylor.org) help boost my extra curriculars and application ?

What have you been doing with your spare time? Are you involved in EC’s not related to your major?

To be honest, I think adcoms can spot a last minute “beef up the application” EC a mile away. And I think it cheapens your app-- as though it’s not solid enough without a last minute add on.

My guess is that you’ve been plenty busy over the last 4 years with things that interested you. I see no need for a last minute add on.

Besides, as a Senior, aren’t your apps pretty much all in?

No just got promoted this year. Actually I run a quiz club and mainly it has taken my whole time. But I guess I need
Some ec to show my interest in my intended major.

I think that devotion to one club looks far better than last minute additions.

What do you mean you “just got promoted this year”??

I came to class 12 this year, last year I was in class 11

So I’m guessing you’re an international, with a full year left before college?

Your ECs don’t need to be in line with your intended major. In fact it can show that you have other dimensions to your personality and interests if your ECs are different.

I would not start doing five million things to make your resume look good. What I would do is to carefully look at what else you’ve done. Most people tend to overlook things that they do and forget that those things can be considered ECs. Just because it’s not a formal club at school or in another institution does not mean that it’s not an EC.

  • Do you do art or writing on your own?
  • Do you have another hobby that you pursue? sports, cooking, knitting, etc.
  • Have you held a part-time job? Babysitting / animal sitting counts.
  • Have you started a website or make videos for youtube or an Etsy business?
  • Have you tutored someone? Met with old people or handicapped people in a church/temple/old age facility?
  • Have you engaged in political activities?
  • Did you take part in/ create events at a museum or theater or other cultural institution?
  • Have you worked casually on a family farm or in a family business?

Just sit down and think about all of the things you’ve done to keep busy. Write down a big list without eliminating anything at first. Then see if you can package them into a sort of resume. Many colleges allow small supplements to your application. A resume that captures these activities is often accepted.

Yes

Well that’s the problem…
I haven’t done anything of that sort.