Hello,
I’m currently a HS Junior and have not participated in any clubs within my school. I spend most of my time with classical piano + music theory, reading, studying, and volunteering. I currently have 300 hours from volunteering on my own and will sign up to become a hospital volunteer around December/January. I will have around 500 hours by the time I graduate with my current volunteering schedule, but I doubt those hours will make up for not being in any clubs.
My main concern is how much my lack of school clubs will hurt me when applying to universities ranging from UCF to UF, FIU, FSU, and other state universities to major in biology for premed.
*My overall record is in good shape and I’m studying hard to continue making straight A’s, but I’m worried that I won’t be considered compared to others who are just as competitive with academics and have numerous officer positions, clubs, leadership roles, etc.
All of those things still count as activities. The quality of your activities counts way more than the quantity, so don’t think you need to join random clubs to look good. It wouldn’t hurt you to join an activity at your school and be committed to it if you have the time, but I don’t think it would make or break your application.
You still have two years. Make it count! If you have had straight A’s throughout high school then you’re on track to becoming valedictorian, and that’s great! I say you take up 1 or 2 clubs and do them both years and put your primary focus on academics.
The thing is, colleges receive thousands of people with good grades, solid Extracurriculars and volunteering. A sure hard way is doing something absolutely amazing that MAKES YOU STAND OUT. Colleges will pick you over the other kid who has good grades, EC, etc. if you manage to do something awesome. That could mean programming mechanical wheelchairs and sending them to organizations in a third world country or establishing a homeless shelter where people get access to online courses to get their life back on track.
If you are taking EC’s I suggest Speech and Debate and Key Club.
Don’t worry about clubs. You do want ECs that have some structure to them, but they don’t have to be clubs. Volunteering and music are fine. It wouldn’t hurt to add another activity, but don’t worry about whether is a “club” or not. Having measurable accomplishments (awards, competition wins, public performances or displays, etc) can be helpful in admissions, though. It gives some credibility to your accomplishments. So think about that.
There is no need to have school based clubs – it is perfectly fine to do ECs in your community or even to have a part-time job. Admissions officers want to see students that are involved, but that involvement can take place anywhere. But if you do want to do something in your school there is still time to get involved.
I do agree with the comment above --if piano is a big part of your life, it would be helpful to do things with piano other than practice and play your home – you can do competitions, play in the community (ex. at a retirement home, in your house of worship, for a school play or anywhere else you like), you can give lessons to younger students etc.
You don’t need clubs as long as you are happy with what you are doing (piano, volunteering, etc.). If you are happy doing those, I would expand on them to show improved skill, greater impact to the community… that kind of thing. Clubs are fine too if there is a new area you want to explore. However, what you are already doing works too.
For some people school is their only source of ec but for others they do ecs outside of school. Even with colleges looking for leadership it doesn’t mean just titles such as president of a school club. Also don’t worry about the number of hours - colleges are not looking at who does the most number of hours for volunteering either.
You should have Extra curricular activities.
You should have leadership experience.
You should have community service.
These do not have to be clubs or being the president of a club.
Classical music and volunteering are ECs.
Have you won awards in Piano? If not I would do some competitions if possible.
Can you figure out some leadership opportunities in piano? Helping teach?
It shows that ECs are only “Considered”…they are not important or very important. the bigger the college, the more they admit by GPA/SAT/ACT and course rigor.
Clubs are good though because you get to meet more friends at HS. Key Club seems great for that.
Thank you for the advice!! School clubs are difficult for me to join and fully involve myself in because they conflict with my schedule and transportation. I think I could definitely expand my skills in classical piano with competitions and performance.