Opinion om ECs?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hi there :) I'm rather new to this site, so forgive me if I've posted this on the wrong board. </p>

<p>I'm currently a freshman in high school, and I know that I should really start planning for applying for college.
I'd like opinions on my current extra curricular and thoughts on whether I should do more? (These sentences sound so lousy. I'm brain- dead at the moment, sorry! :-S)</p>

<p>Current:
-XC everyday after school, typically about 1 hour 45 min long. Season ends shortly after Thanksgiving break.
-Youth symphony orchestra, rehearsals are 1-3:00 on Saturdays, and 12-6:00 every second or third Saturday of the month.
-Key Club (service club) for school, their activities are normally held every few Saturdays and time varies
-Hour long music lessons Friday right after XC</p>

<p>Possible:
-Jr Volunteer at a nearby horse rescue, they have a minimum requirement of 10 hours/month and volunteer times are Saturday, Sunday, Monday. I doubt that I am interested in an equine career, but I am very, very passionate about horses and I used to ride. This is one of my biggest priorities and the one I am most stressed about.
-Track and field, which is during Spring. I am not very enthusiastic about it, but will do it if it helps in any way.
-Medical Club. All I know is that they meet every other Wednesday during lunch at school and my parents are pushing me to do it.</p>

<p>Other:
-I am currently taking Honors Geometry, H. Bio, H. English, German 1, Chamber Orchestra, and a mandatory Health class.
-It takes about 2-3 hours to finish homework, and about 3 hours on the weekends.
-I still want to enjoy high school, get good grades, have a social life and not be driven insane though! :D </p>

2

<p>As a freshman, I think you should know that it’s all about QUALITY not QUANTITY. When I was a freshman, I literally joined almost every single club at my school even though I wasn’t even interested in them… Don’t make that same mistake. I would focus on what you love and feel passionate about – not about how many hours you spent in the key club or something. That’s what will make you stand out beyond all the other monotonous college applications.</p>

<p>You love horse-riding? That’s great! Stick to that and show your true commitment to the things you love doing. Honestly, I would drop out of Track and Field… You don’t seem to enjoy it and unless you’re the next Usain Bolt, colleges won’t really care, so why should you waste your time on it?</p>

<p>As for Medical Club, I would drop out. Your parents can’t force you to do something you don’t want to do. Try it out for a couple more weeks. If it starts to grow on you, then stick with it. If not, please do yourself a favor and do something you actually LIKE! You said you like horses, so use that extra time to volunteer at your local barn or help teach kids how to ride. My motto is: Take what you love and use it help to others :)</p>

<p>Hope this helped! Good luck :)</p>

3

<p>Do what you want, not what colleges want. Don’t dedicate the next 4 years of your life to trying to get into any college :)</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much for the answers! They were really insightful and I think I will stick with the things I enjoy. I’ll keep Quality not Quantity in mind :)</p>