<p>A lot of times students don't realize they should pursue a variety of ECs until junior year. Luckily, my teacher in 9th grade talked to us a lot about college preparation. During freshman year, I only had one extracurricular: piano classes. I've taken them for about 8 years, but that's about it. I only just realized I should do more things I like to do. I don't want to join activities for the sake of my college app. I want to do what I enjoy, otherwise what's the point?</p>
<p>I have seen some kids on here who have been in Boys/Girls Scouts for years, JROTC, National Honors Society, etc. Or who have had leadership positions in clubs for 3+ years. Or who cured cancer! I only just discovered my interests, but what if it's too late to show how passionate I am? What if I just look desperate?</p>
<p>It is unclear if you are a sophomore or junior, if you are a junior/senior it is a bit too late (it will seem as if you are doing things for the sake of college admissions), if you are a sophomore it is not too late, though it is ideal that you participate all four years, if you start this year it will still look good.</p>
<p>ECs are a matter of balance. Personally I am one of those people who have a ton of ECs which I have been doing my entire high school career/now hold leadership positions. That being said I have found a balance, most of the ECs I do for fun, that being said I spend time doing work for leadership positions and a few random ECs for the sake of applications. Pursue what you love, but make sure you have leadership, community service and a decent number of hours.</p>
<p>Thank you! I’m a sophomore, so thankfully it’s not too too late. What ECs do you have? What do you like about them?</p>
<p>Um, so my list is a little long but…
- NAHS (second year as membership chair/favorite to be president next year)
- Math club
- NACLO
- Volunteer at the First Tee (also on their junior advisory board, paid internship candidate for this upcoming summer)
- Volunteer at the Friendship Circle
- Teen advisory/advocacy board at a local library (have helped plan programs/was mentioned in a local newspaper/interviewed due to involvement)
- J-SITE (a program outside of school where I take language classes for credits/other classes, will have earned certificates of mastery following culminating projects in three subjects this year)
- Youth group (held chapter board positions every year, regional position last year)
- A teen philanthropy group (we review grants and allocate over $6000 every year)
- Diller Teen Fellow (one year program, participated last year)
- Office assistant the summer after my freshman year (was unable to resume the job my sophomore summer due to being in Israel as part of Diller)
- Volunteer at my school (not sure if this counts, but I log like 20 hours each year from helping at programs and auditions for the school)
- Random involvement with local glass center (I participate in summer intensives every year, now volunteer at random events and will probably TA their this upcoming summer)
- Yearbook (it is a class, but I spend a lot of time working on it outside of school as well, this year I am the copy editor and ad editor, favorite to be editor in chief next year)</p>
<p>So that was my extremely long list. The list is really random, but basically I enjoy spending my time doing these things. I like working with kids which led to my involvement at The First Tee, The Friendship Circle and the volunteering at my school. I am an art major at my school/love art which led to the glass center, youth group work (I do graphics/video yearbooks/similar things) and office assistant position (again I was doing graphics). The rest I did for random reasons/having nothing to do with anything, but are fun. Freshman year I did even more and quit later when I realized I did not like these things/did not have time (my regional youth group position, mock trial, a science class at the zoo and some other stuff). It really is important to find things you enjoy. When you spend as much time in ECs as I do (often 15-20 hours a week, during audition season closer to 30) you don’t want to be miserable and doing things that you just think will look good to colleges.</p>
<p>Sorry this list was so long, hopefully this helps though…</p>
<p>Wow…I don’t even know what to say…</p>
<p>I never wanted to do an activity just to look good, but I can be shy when it comes to trying new things…</p>