<p>I'm a HS junior right now, and I've joined a lot of clubs this year. Some of them I consciously joined because I wanted them on my college app, but the majority of them just happened because it sounded like fun, I had friends doing it, etc. </p>
<p>I've heard colleges hate to see that you started doing a bunch of ECs your junior year because it looks desperate. So my question is, should I include these new ECs on my apps or would I be better off just leaving them out?</p>
<p>For reference, here's a list of my ECs. You can assume that everything I did in 11th grade will be continued into 12th.</p>
<p>Policy Debate (9,10,11)
Comm. Service - creating tour materials at an art museum, tutoring/translating at a Chinese school, and at various school-related events. About 250 hrs total (10,11)
Intramural Baseball (9,11)</p>
<p>[stuff started in 11th grade..]
Student Government Treasurer (11)
Science Olympiad - qualified for State (11)
Science Knowledge Bowl (11)
FBLA - going to State (11)
Chess Club (11)
Young Democrats Club (11)
Political Science Club (11)
AMC12 - AIME
NHS (11) - junior year is the first year it's offered
National Spanish Honor Society (11) - junior year is the first year it's offered</p>
<p>[ECs I've stopped doing...should I include these on apps?]
Model Rocketry Club (10)
Piano KMTA State competitor, also have various regional awards (9)</p>
<p>I'm looking to get into top-tier schools. I think my GPA and test scores are consistent with Ivy League expectations, but my crappy ECs kinda worry me. Any help or comments would be appreciated, thanks!</p>
<p>cut the rocketry and chess club.
Congratulations on being a young democrat, as many of us as there are, there still need to be more. Thats cool that your HS has a young dems club.</p>
<p>Try for a medal in your state FBLA or SO competitions. The SO trial events (or whatever they are called) are less competitive and can still be listed as a state medal (just specify). Neuroscience looks pretty studiable to me - my son is going to try to get the juniors on his team to take a shot at that one. Good luck!</p>
<p>^ sure why not, but it wouldn't be anything impressive or admission-affecting, if that's what your looking for.</p>
<p>With your EC's that you joined in your junior year, they will look at it curiosly, but since you will have had only 2 year commitment, it won't be a real positive role as EC's are suppose to play, in your situation.</p>
<p>The applications differ on how many activities you can reasonably fit. The Chinese school and art museum stuff its a bit unusual. </p>
<p>The final couple of activities can also depend on what your essays are about. If your essay relates to your place in the world around you might want to include the Poli Sci or Young Dems club. Also, if you have any interesting projects in these clubs, you could write about them. You might also consider the translation work you do - that's really a fine thing to do, and could be interesting as a supplemental essay.</p>
<p>Thanks. I also left off a few ECs - I've had two jobs, one as an English tutor and one as an art museum tour guide for children over the summer, neither are continuing right now. The only problem is, I plan to major in Business Law or Economics, so the art stuff is really just a hobby, nothing more. I don't know how much, if any, it'll contribute to my application. </p>
<p>Tami: Yeah, I know, I really screwed up freshmen and sophomore years by not starting any activities besides debate. But what should I do now, as a junior? Is there some way to show the commitment colleges are looking for despite only being involved in an activity for 2 years? </p>
<p>And as far as the piano goes, I know I didn't achieve anything really noteworthy so it wouldn't help much. But do you think the 9th grade piano would be more valuable admissions-wise than, say, FBLA?</p>
<p>ohio_mom: Thanks for those ideas, although I'm afraid those essays may turn out a bit unremarkable...since the things I did aren't really world-changing in any way. I guess it'll take some good writing to make others view it in a different light :)</p>
<p>"so the art stuff is really just a hobby, nothing more. I don't know how much, if any, it'll contribute to my application."
It will show you as an interesting, 3-dimensional human being that believes in himself more than just trying to present 'what the colleges want' - which must get pretty boring to the readers. Having an broad view or the world is important in both law and economics. </p>
<p>On essays - start them the summer before your senior year. The more time you have for thought and revision the better they will be. And, if you start early, you will be in good shape to apply ED (if you can do so financially).</p>
<p>Oh, one thing that strikes me - you are more of a generalist / rennaissance man than a specialist. The world need both kinds. Maybe something to think of for your topic.</p>