<p>I'm very active in many activities, but they are very diverse, and not that focused. For example, I'm in International Exchange Students Club (we make exchange students feel welcome + plan activities for them), I've done 300 hours of community service - raising over $1000 for homeless dogs, but it's not all that impressive and makes my app seem more scattered. It looks like filler, but it's not, I enjoy/feel a need to do this stuff. Also, there are some clubs and things that I've joined senior year (out of genuine interest), but they seem to detract from the focus of my app OR reinforce an "Asian, all study, nerd-stereotype," i.e. acadec, robotics and technology club, etc.</p>
<p>Every week I spend several hours combined on these activities - probably 5 or more.</p>
<p>Anyways, I'm wondering if I should add these scattered things to my app? They're part of me, and I genuinely enjoy doing them - so I'll certainly continue to participate, but it feels like the adcoms are probably going to think that I did them just for the college app or the activities are just going to reinforce a negative image of me? </p>
<p>Let's be realistic and not hold our adcoms to too high of a status here, they're only human and they only get a couple of minutes to review each application. Bottom line, should I keep/remove these from the app? Why/Why not (more importantly)?</p>
<p>I'd list the ones that mean the most to you and that you had the most "depth/quality" involvement in (stayed in for several years, perhaps held a leadership role?)</p>
<p>An activity you just joined this year could probably be left off, unless it's something you fell in love with and plan to continue in college.</p>
<p>Otherwise you're right, it looks like filler and like you joined a bunch of stuff just to put it on your college application. If you joined a club for a year as a sophomore but didn't hold and office and didn't rejoin as a junior, and you have a ton of EC's, leave it off.</p>
<p>Thanks, how about the academic clubs? i'm trying not to be lumped into the Asian nerd group.</p>
<p>If you're in the Asian nerd group, you're in it. If you try to falsify who you are, it'll be evident to an adcom.</p>
<p>you sound like an intelligent, coherent person. make your own decision</p>
<p>i don't consider myself to be one, although I do participate in academic ecs, i also do lots of other stuff.</p>
<p>I never understood the reason to leave stuff off of an application to add focus. My activities are what defines my interest. You may think that this community service thing seems out on left field, but that's what defines the humanitarian part of your personality. Don't leave the academic clubs out -- you put the time into them, and you joined them for a reason, right? Why not let the colleges see this side of you? It seems you are fairly well-rounded so don't worry so much about the Asian bias (btw, everyone is blowing it extremely out of proportion) so just BE YOURSELF. If you're not, you'll always wonder "What if I had done this.." If you present yourself on the application, you'll know that you did your best and can move on.</p>
<p>Windslicer is right. You need to make your app reflect the real you. So I amend my previous posting:</p>
<p>If any of these activities were just a passing fancy that you didn't do much with and don't plan to continue, then leave them off. Otherwise, if it was something important to you or that you care about, include it!</p>