I’m a rising senior who has been looking at this site to help make a college list, but I found out that my ECs don’t really seem to stack up to applicants to my reach schools. I’ve got the normal leadership positions in clubs I really like- Model UN President, Mathletes VP, Key Club VP, Arts and Design Club member- but nothing extraordinary.
However, there is one EC that I have been devoted to since the 2nd grade, but I don’t know how colleges would see it. I know the posters on here aren’t admissions officers, but you might be able to give me insight on whether it is valuable in any way.
So, the organization is Academic Games, officially known as AGLOA. I’ve been a member of my Academic Games club since 2nd grade and have qualified to attend the national tournament every year since 5th grade. I have been the national champion in one event, which I won’t specify to protect my identity, multiple times, though not consecutively. Our district team have also consistently placed at the national level. I was the president of the club last year and will be again as a senior. My high school refuses to sponsor the club for administrative reasons (teachers are only allowed to sponsor one club and all teachers are taken), so I run meetings outside of school and handle all the managerial duties such as meeting with the head of the district league to set up transportation and lodgings for the national tournament as well as handle team registration and stuff for district tournaments. All the other schools in our league have teachers or adults leading them, so I’m always the only student at sponsor meetings. I also run a pretty popular blog connected to the subject matter so that I can brush up on my skills during the offseason.
Anyway, this club is basically my entire life, but I don’t think it is as major as the ECs that admits to top schools have. There are only students from 10 states (and India!) competing at the national tournament, so it isn’t a huge thing. I haven’t been in the club for college or anything, and I will continue it no matter what. But idk, it would be nice to know if colleges would consider this to be impressive or acknowledge my passion for it as valid.
Any comments? Is it fine but not enough to set me apart? Is it irrelevant?
You don’t think a club that you have been devoted to since 2nd grade, and have gone to the Naitonal tournament every year, and have been champion of is an impressive EC? I don’t get that. That is a great EC. ECs are NOT solely clubs at school. They are anything that you devote time to, be it volunteering, caring for relatives, working, sports, and so on. You would be crazy not to list that club as your most important EC by miles.
Colleges want to see that you have a passion, and it sure seems that Academic Games is your passion. So use it for all its worth. The fact that your school doesn’t sponsor it and that you make all the arrangements for it is even more impressive. You could consider writing your essay about it too. Your other ECs are fine, and you have leadership, so I think you will have a strong app.
@Lindagaf Thanks for the response! It is comforting to know that someone else thinks my EC is valuable. Sorry for being so insecure, but the kids in my grade are splitting their time between major theatre productions and published scientific research and a million other awesome things while I’ve just been really committed to this one activity.
I have a really good but not perfect GPA at 3.99 and a solid ACT score of 35, so I might apply to one or two reach schools if my ECs are considered up to snuff.
Yeah. You need to choke out that insecurity. What do you think is the worse thing that can happen to you with 99th percentile scores? Right now, you’re eligible for a 4 year tuition and fee scholarship to Univ of Alabama. This moment.
I didn’t know automatic scholarships were a thing, but I just googled it and some threads on here showed up. Oh man, my college search just got a whole lot easier if I don’t have to bank on competitive scholarships or risky financial aid! Thanks for the info!
Connor,your GPA doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s the classes you take and how well you do in them that matter more than just GPA. And your ACT of 35 is phenomenal. Just saw that you run a popular blog too. I will go out on a giant limb, (that might crack and fall,) and say that you will be a great candidate for some super selective colleges. Depends on the classes you have taken too, but I would say you should shoot for the stars, but don’t forget the matches and safeties too. I think your academic games club and all you do for it, and how involved you have been in it, is a very strong EC. Plus you have other good leadership involvement.
You should get some great scholarships, and can defintiely get some full rides. I know a kid with stats like yours who got a full ride to Northeastern. There is a thread here on CC about colleges with generous merit aid and full rides. I think it is pinned at the top of this page, or maybe at the top of the fianancial aid forum page. If you are after money, you will easily find it. Please bear in mind that at many private colleges that use merit aid to lure top students, they will want to see interest from you. Don’t apply and assume that you will get in if they are safety and match schools. Talk to reps, visit if you can, arrange interviews, get on email lists. Good luck to you.
ConnorOrange needs to invite Lindgraf & T26E4 to their graduation in 4 years! Outstanding help IMHO, and I guess this is what keeps this board interesting and running
