<p>My EC's are pretty generic since my school has a very limited range of clubs, etc. (Debate, Swimming, Tennis, FBLA, Spanish Club).</p>
<p>So I was just wondering.. could creative writing (done independently and without any assistance) be considered an EC? I've written two novels, a couple of short stories, and a ton of poems. I thought that this couldn't be considered an EC since it was unaffiliated with any organization or club, but a friend of mine said it probably could be. Would it be wise to include it? Haha, if it really can be considered an EC, then I've probably done that more than any other EC that I do.</p>
<p>Yes, creative writing in the way that you’re doing it would count as an EC. For many colleges (in particular, the relatively few colleges that factor things like ECs into admission), you also could submit a chapter of your novels as part of your application.</p>
<p>I also suggest going to writer’s conferences and taking creative writing workshops and courses. You may even be able to take some on-line. You also could start or join a writer’s organization. Doing these things would probably be enjoyable to you whether or not these activities would boost your application.</p>
<p>To be honest, a few of my EC’s were done to give my app a “boost”, but I wrote my first story at the age of 6, and have been writing ever since, so I’m not really doing this for college. I think I’m going to include it though, I spend about 5 hours a week doing independent writing.</p>
<p>As for joining organizations and such, there is little to nothing offered in my town. I took a creative writing course in 9th grade at a local college - that’s about it. I guess I could start a Writing Club in my school, but I doubt more than two or three people would join.</p>
<p>Many HSs have an annual arts publication which includes drawing, photography, CW, etc., that might be something the club could pursue. Also, there are writing contests you could enter, ranging from local to national in scope, likely some are targeted at ‘young’ writers.</p>
<p>Creative writing sounds really interesting =). Does your school have a literary magazine? If so, you can always try to publish your stories there, or if not, you can start one. There’s also a Scholastic Art and Writing awards (<a href=“http://www.artandwriting.org/[/url]”>http://www.artandwriting.org/</a>) that you can check out. Besides that, you can also look for writing workshops to attend over the summer… in any case, writing on your own is definitely an extracurricular activity.</p>
<p>Yes, we do have a literary magazine! Haha. Last year three of my poems and one of my short stories was published in it. I was actually considering joining the staff (the staff is only two people, both my friends haha). So I guess I could do that.</p>
<p>As for founding a club, that’s not gonna happen at my school. The principal probably won’t allow it, and you have to have at least five members to start one. I doubt anyone would want to join a Writing Club haha.</p>
<p>I guess I could do some competitions online. I’ve only done one major writing competition, in the 8th grade, about patriotism, and I got first place in the city for it.</p>
<p>“Yes, we do have a literary magazine! Haha. Last year three of my poems and one of my short stories was published in it. I was actually considering joining the staff (the staff is only two people, both my friends haha). So I guess I could do that.”</p>
<p>What could be more enjoyable than to be on a literary mag staff with your friends? I have many friends who are published authors, some of whose names you probably know. Virtually all also volunteer on the staffs of literary magazines. They thoroughly enjoy doing this.</p>
<p>Northstarmom - Yeah, it’s my best option at this point. But it’s going to take up alot of time and I’m already president of 2 clubs and captain of the swimming team, plus next year I’m taking three AP classes, plus I still want to write on the side, so it’ll be difficult. I’m going to try, though.</p>
<p>If you don’t have time for it, then don’t bother. You already have a lot on your plate. You don’t need to add any more. You could choose to get involved in college in your school’s literary journal.</p>
<p>You might, though, be able to go to writing conferences this summer. There are conferences all over the country. Many are very affordable and welcome students.</p>
<p>Yeah, I definitely want to do literary magazine or something similar in college. My friend said I could be an editor, I would basically take home a ton of poems/stories and pick which ones would go in the book, so I might do that since I can do it on weekends.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I can’t attend a conference this summer, I’m about to leave for a four-week Philosophy & PolySci credit course thing about three hours away from my town.</p>
<p>EC’s are certainly NOT limited to designated clubs at school. It is anything that you devote yourself to ongoing. Depth and commitment to an EC is a nice plus for your college application. It is usually pretty clear if it is something you do sincerely or just to list on a resume. The writing seems like it may be your strongest EC, if you present it well.</p>
<p>I think that people here are suggesting ways to deepen your ‘demonstrated’ commitment. You already have some of that with your school lit mag publications, the outside class you took, better to list stuff done in HS than 8th grade, but a first is a nice award. Does your English teacher know of your interest and work? Your guidance Councillor? Will they be able to back up this independent work? I don’t think starting a writing group would add value particularly, but getting involved in the lit mag is worthwhile. Another college class or workshop is worthwhile because writing is an ongoing process. It will help you to keep getting feedback to improve rather than just write with no guidance, input, etc.</p>
<p>Many bookstores host writing groups (I have a friend who goes to a Calif writers one at Borders books.) If you can’t find one for your age group, you may be able to join an adult one. Here writers read excerpts from works in progress and get feedback and constructive critique. It is a brave thing to do, but valuable.</p>
<p>Submitting your writing for contests and publications is a good idea, as it will cause you to hone the work and you may get more feedback that way as well. Imagine Magazine has a writing issue in Dec 09, it can be back ordered. Here is a page from them that lists extensive writing resources, workshops, summer opportunities, contests and submissions opportunities. I suggest you take it to the next level and get involved with some of these.
[Writing</a> Resources](<a href=“http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/resources_writing]Writing”>http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/resources_writing)</p>
<p>Thank you, BrownParent, that was very helpful.</p>
<p>I’m going to try to do litmag next year, as I stated. I’m not sure if I’ll have time though, I already have soo many other commitments, plus my hardest courseload yet for next year.</p>
<p>What I will do is enter some competitions. I already have many works I could submit- I’m going to start looking online.</p>
<p>I love writing history essays, so I might submit something to The Concord Review, but from what it looks like, they’re much too selective. Perhaps the Claremont Review or the Writer’s Apprentice thing… I’ll look into it. Thanks again for your help!</p>
<p>You know, your ECs are fine already. Your having written a couple of novels is remarkable. Try to get them or your stories published even if only in your school’s magazine.</p>
<p>One is about 150 pages, the other about 200 pages long, so I can’t publish them in a magazine. But I’m going to see if there is anything I can do with them.</p>
<p>And I also have about 10 short stores and about 30 or so poems that are probably worthy of publishing. I’m starting to wish I wasn’t so involved in other activities… haha.</p>
<p>Creative Writing is great! =) I included it in my applications. If they have a optional “creative submission” to go along with your application, I would use it.</p>
<p>^I’m glad you think its great too! Haha glad there’s alot of fellow writers on these forums.</p>
<p>I’m considering submitting a supplemental poem, or a chapter from one of the books I wrote. Not sure if I’m going to though… my reach schools (Yale, Brown, and Stanford) might not be that impressed with them, and I don’t know if I’m willing to take that risk.</p>