<p>I am currently a grade 12 Canadian student who has not even thought about American universities until this summer. As a result, I realized that I am lacking in extra-curriculars so I was thinking, should I start a Key Club at my school?
It is important to note that university applications are not my only incentives in creating this club. I also feel my school is really lacking organized clubs and school spirit in general, so adding this club to my school would definitely improve my school's environment. Furthermore, I love helping out (I am president of my school's Social Justice Club) so I would actually enjoy creating this club.
Ironically though, university applications are marring my excitement. I'm not sure if schools such as the Ivies would think of me creating the Key Club as a bad thing (showing that only last-minute have I thought of giving back to the school) or a good thing. </p>
<p>Admissions officers can smell when a student joined a club or started a club just to pad their resume for college, so I wouldn’t bother. What have you been doing outside of the classroom for the past 3 years? </p>
<p>Gibby’s right. On the other hand, if you truly want to start this club just because you want to help your school, then go ahead and do it. There’s no need to put it on your application.</p>
<p>If you look at it that way, do you still want to do it?</p>
<p>To be honest, I would have no doubt created the club in gr. 11 due to pure philanthropic reasons because when I discovered it, I found that it would truly be a great asset to our school (and a lot of fun :)). However, since it would not help with my application, I will probably not create the club as I do not have much time in my hands. But, some of Key Club’s event ideas and resources are great so I am wondering, am I allowed to incorporate Key Club resources into my Social Justice Club? The goal of both clubs are very similar, it’s just one of them seems to come from a specific organization. If not, I’ll probably suggest Key Club to a younger student.
Also Gibby, these past three years, (actually four in my case since I’m Canadian), I have
-attended SJ meetings (later to become president)
-founded Multicultural Club with my international friend since we realized many international students were too shy to participate in school
-been a part of drama club (just been in a few school plays, nothing too major)
-been part of tennis team (I guess it’s called varsity tennis team? Seems redundant since shouldn’t each school only have one sport team for a particular sport? xD) in grade 11 (went to provincials)
-been in golf in grade 10 and 9
-created a local water awareness organization,
-yearbook is one of my classes but it is a class to which you have to apply. This year I’m co-editor.
-been a part of Student Council but not regularly
-been a part of this city youth group that creates local public events (I’m secretary/treasurer)
I probably have more, but only a few showed leadership since previously my objective have been to try everything to know what I like, so I didn’t focus on any particular activity. As a result, to fill up all the extracurricular options in the Common App, would it benefit me more to add the less developed activities (Such as being a member of a club) or to just leave them bank?
Thank you all so much for helping a confused student who has very little time left to prepare </p>
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