Only one extracurricular?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I'm a junior and I am getting really nervous with all my counselors/peers/teachers/family talking about how important extracurriculars are to college admission. I only have one, while my friends are out there being in Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts, and Junior Statesmen of America. All I do is play an instrument.</p>

<p>I'm in my school's band and orchestra, as well as a youth band, and a youth orchestra at my local conservatory (one of the best in the country). I'm section leader for my instrument in all these ensembles. I also participate in several honor groups throughout the year, such as All-Southern state honor orchestra, all-state orchestra, and next year I plan to do a national ensemble. I am usually Principal in these ensembles. On top of that, I participate in a few competitions each year. I won a district solo competition and a regional solo competition. Each year I've gotten the highest solo rating a solo festival. I took an exam and scored Honours with Distinction. Lalalala, I do a lot of music stuff.</p>

<p>Anyway, is this enough? Daily practicing and concerts and all this music stuff prevents me from being able to go to scheduled club meetings and stuff.</p>

2

<p>To use an analogy, if you were being recruited by a college for their soccer team, soccer is the only EC you would need. Having EC’s only related to music will not hurt you, but it is only one part of the application.</p>

3

<p>I mean it’s not like you actually only have one extracurricular activity - when you’re filling out the common app, each orchestra or band that you are a part of will be an individual activity. Although you might be a bit limited in terms of diversity, passion and dedication is also a serious factor when evaluating ECs; the leadership roles you hold in the different orchestras would be more impressive than a random assortment of clubs in which you don’t hold significant positions.</p>