<p>I'm always reading about people doing volunteer work, research projects, internships, jobs, etc that are related to their intended majors or careers. The thing is I do a lot of community service and I'm actively involved in clubs, but other than the fact that I do it because I love working with different types of people and doing something worthwhile with my time there isn't a real connection. I'm really just exploring different career options and majors and I'm thinking about political science, journalism, and maybe even business. I don't just have a laundry list of activities because I really am dedicated to everything I do and I am helping people, but I don't know what I want to be, so will various internships and service activities that show I've tried different things but I'm not focused on one area hurt me? I want to go to a top college and I excel in the classes I take & I don't want everything else I do to end up being a waste. I don't know how people already know what they want to do with the rest of their lives and I think HS should be a time to do as much as you can so you learn what you really enjoy. Sorry if I rambled a bit, but any advice would be great. Oh and I'm going to be a high school junior:)</p>
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<li><p>The best thing to do is to actively and creatively pursue activities that you're interested in.</p></li>
<li><p>Despite what uninformed students here post, the colleges that consider ECs in admission (and most colleges don't do this) would prefer to see a few focused activities instead of a laundry list of superficially pursued ones.</p></li>
<li><p>ECs don't have to relate to your prospective major unless you're doing something unusual like applying to combined MD/BA programs, for which demonstrated interest in medicine is important. Otherwise, colleges know that most students switch majors at least once, so the colleges that care about ECs value skills, focus, leadership, creativity far more than things like compiling hours or joining clubs with no evidence that you've had an impact.</p></li>
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<p>I am dedicated to the clubs and volunteer work that I do, so I hope that they can see that I actually spend time and hold leadership positions with the things I'm most committed to, unlike most of the kids at my school who just start clubs but never participate themselves or have active meetings. So do you think internships in different fields would be okay? I have the opportunity to do them in law, business, journalism, and even a fashion one which would be more fun than anything else. Thanks for your response!</p>
<p>Yes, it would be fine to have internships in different fields. High school and college is a time for most people to explore interests and career options. Colleges know this, so not zeroing in on any career would be fine. By doing any internships, you would be far ahead of the majority of students who seem to do little during h.s. except hang out with friends and chill during the summer.</p>
<p>Here's a related question: last summer I did participated in leadership summit on theater and the arts. I do not participate in theater, like most of the kids there. I sing and play saxophone, but I'm not about to become a pro musician. I'm not a great actress either. I went simply because I thought it would be fun, since I love theater, but I don't do it because I fence and the musical and fencing seasons are the same. Will it look weird that I chose this program, or will they realize that I really chose it just for fun?</p>
<p>I only have 3 EC's but all 3 are something that ive done for years and love to do it (family job/football/computer club) would that be better if i had 6 EC's that i did for a little while</p>
<p>My son had 2 major ECs - theater and music. He spent time in the summer attending a music camp, but he also spent 3 summers in a French immersion program because he loves French. He is planning on majoring in biology.
He did very well in admissions. Your ECs do not need to relate to your major. They look for committment and dedication, regardless of the activity. Don't worry about it. Do things that you enjoy and have meaning for you and that will show through to the colleges to which you are applying.</p>
<p>You don't have to know what you're going to do with your life at 16. Really. And even if you do know, you don't have to restrict yourself to activities that focus narrowly on that specific interest.</p>
<p>It's perfectly OK to try something, hate it, and change directions. (The most important thing my daughter learned from being a day camp counselor is that she never, ever wants to work with children again.) It's also OK to have an interest unrelated to your prospective major. (The same daughter has been heavily involved in instrumental music throughout high school but does not intend to major in music.)</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you are aiming at a specialized major, such as journalism or agriculture, it would be nice if you had at least one activity or course or part-time job or internship or whatever that was in some way related to that interest -- just to show colleges that you have some idea where you are headed. But this does not mean that everything you do has to be focused in that one direction.</p>
<p>Marian's post was right on target.</p>
<p>It also would be helpful to check the EC thread pinned to the top of the "What are my chances" board.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses:) By the time I graduate I will have done the major activities for 3-4 years and I've definitely found things I'm interested in continuing and I've learned that I'm a people person. (no back room or office cubicle for me)</p>