I want to join 2 new clubs in 11th grade but don't want to look as if I'm padding...?

Applying to College
1

<p>Here's the story.</p>

<p>In 9th grade I went to a tiny public school of less than 300 people. I was involved in activities that I enjoyed a lot.</p>

<p>In 10th grade, I moved to a new city with a new school and I did not know anybody. My parents didn't want me to join many ECs at my new school (which had none of the same ECs as my 9th grade school) because they wanted me to focus on academics and drive my siblings around. I was in SGA (student government) and a sport.</p>

<p>This year, however, I am not joining student government. To be honest, it's not something I enjoy and I don't see why I should do it anymore. </p>

<p>I play 3 sports (fall, winter, and spring) and I want to join the debate team (where I'll likely be on the varsity team and actually enjoy it) and the chess team (I'm really good at chess).</p>

<p>People on CC say not to try new stuff during junior year because a top 20 college will look at me and think I'm just resume padding to improve my app the next year).</p>

<p>I'm genuinely interested in debate and chess and was not able to do it my 9th and 10th grade years.</p>

<p>Should I do it anyway? And how do I let colleges know I'm not just resume padding?</p>

<p>Another problem is that since I moved after 9th grade year I did some activities that will show up on my app as being done for only 1 year, which will make them think I'm just a quitter.</p>

<p>What should I do?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>And the thing is, I feel stupid just for worrying about this. </p>

<p>I really feel like I should do the things I’m interested in and enjoy but I don’t want to be rejected from my top school because of inconsistent extracurriculars :/</p>

3

<p>don’t worry about this. honestly, college admissions aren’t 100% fair and equal. that being said, I’m not sure if they’ll understand your position or not, but just go ahead and do what EC’s you want anyways. there is no point in worrying about it.</p>

4

<p>No reason not to start something new in 11th grade that you are genuinely interested in. The ‘resume padding’ comments pertain to people who are marginally involved in a dozen activities and its perfectly obvious to everyone that they can’t be contributing much to most of them. The advice not to start something new in 11th is generally associated with the idea that to accomplish something noteworthy in any given EC, you generally have to have been investing your efforts in it for quite some time. However, it’s perfectly reasonable to be involved in sports (which I assume you’ve been doing all along) and two clubs that you are checking out.</p>

5

<p>I think ^ was spot on. Also you can always explain your position in essays. (in an elegant way)</p>