Non Sanctioned EC's on Activities Section

Applying to College
1

So I have several activities that are not part of an organization/school that I’m not sure where I should put on my common app. I volunteer my time to tutor students at my school for AP Chem (I got a 5 last year) for about 5 hours a week but it is not school sanctioned or anything though the teacher is fully aware and has encouraged me to continue as he doesn’t have time to help them more than he has. I also created my own training plan and ran a marathon in a respectable time (3:37) during my sophomore year. Lastly, I have an “aiding” period at my school where I set up/take care of labs for science teachers around the school. I am the first and only student at my school to do this.

I’m not sure where to include these. Would they be appropriate for the activities section of the common app?

2

These are fine ECs. Just put them on the list.

3

Yup, it is great to have some ECs that are your own initiatives!

4

ECs are anything that you spend time doing on a committed basis. That means a job, taking care of younger siblings, mowing the elderly neighbor’s lawn, after school clubs, sports, karate, you name it. List them in order of importance.

5

Agree, they are perfectly fine ECs. By all means include them on your application.