<p>Is there a distinct advantage to an outside of school EC? I'd think that it shows a bit of initiative, and I've even heard that a few schools (Columbia? Correct me if I'm wrong.) separate in-/out- of school ECs on applications. Then again, I suppose an in-school club would show that you're "involved in the school community". Obviously, I wouldn't recommend limiting oneself to one category or the other; I'm just looking for points of view on each.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>I think out-of-school activities are good -- shows you can go beyond the school level. For example, I'm involved both in the school writers group and the local one hosted at the library. I don't think there's a significant advantage, but there is a small one ("distinct" is what you make of it).</p>
<p>Some out-of-school activites are far more prestigious than in-school activities. Being a member of the ARML math competition for example is far more prestigious than being in the "Clean up the school club" that meets at lunch.</p>