<p>Hello, everyone! With all the hype surrounding the importance of having at least semi-focused extracurriculars, i have begun worrying about mine. could you please glance over my list, and see if it appears that i have been "padding" my resume?</p>
<ol>
<li>mayor's youth council</li>
<li>class treasurer</li>
<li>Habitat for Humanity President</li>
<li>German Club Board Member</li>
<li>International Relations Club Board Member</li>
<li>German Exchange Program organizer (with sister school in Germany)</li>
<li>Academic Team 2-year Captain</li>
<li>NHS Officer</li>
<li>Tutor at my school and downtown</li>
<li>Captain of Baseball team (not good enough to be recruited :/</li>
<li>Captain of Cross Country team</li>
<li>Work at DQ in summer</li>
</ol>
<p>I joined the clubs that interested me, and in no conscious way tried to pad my resume. I'm just worried I'll come off as just another crazy-busy high schooler to the big schools. My three biggest passions are German, government, and community service....is that clear? Should I delete NHS and Tutoring? Thanks for your time!</p>
<p>IDK, at my high school you’re only allowed to be a board member of one thing at a time. So like, of what you have there, I’m NHS president and co-captain of academic team, but I couldn’t do anything else this year except for be a member of other clubs. So I don’t think it’ll show that you’re padding it or anything, just that you are very involved and you take advantage of all the opportunities you’re given–but, I mean, I would THINK they will keep your application in the context of other ones like mine so that there’s not a huge disparity.</p>
<p>I can’t think of a reason to delete anything though unless you actually lied about it.</p>
<p>You can’t possibly be spending as much time on any of these things as someone who is involved in only a few. The organizations themselves are suffering as a result.</p>
<p>In the long run that probably doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight, you two!</p>
<p>@newest newb , i do understand your concern. However, many of my activities are seasonal… DQ only in summer, XC only fall, baseball only in spring, German exchange program…so I’m never doing all of these things at once. Do you think that admissions people at such school at Princeton would think like you, though? Do I come across as just spread too thin?</p>
<p>You look like a jack of all trades, master of none.</p>
<p>@poobear87 - that’s exactly my concern. Are you saying that I should delete some of my ECs from the list on the commonapp, in order to appear more focused? Because the thing is, I’m just not really sure what I want to specialize in yet…</p>
<p>Organize your activities for admissions. Your interests are international, government, athletics, and community service. </p>
<p>Tell admissions that your international activities include German Exchange Program organizer International Relations Club Board Member and German Club Board Member. </p>
<p>Community service activities include Habitat for Humanity President and Tutor at my school. </p>
<p>Government activities include Mayor’s youth council and class treasurer. </p>
<p>Athletics include Captain of Baseball team and Captain of Cross Country team.</p>
<p>Do not delete any activity. Your interests are focused in several areas and you have held leadership positions. Do not attempt to “game” admissions by changing who you are. Present you activities in a manner that show that you have been a leader in selected areas. </p>
<p>Become familiar with Princeton Woodrow Wilson School and the Pace Center for Civic Engagement.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>@PtonAlumnus – thanks for your suggestions; I think I’ll definitely group my activities when I fill out that portion of the Commonapp. And it’s a shame that Princeton doesn’t require a “Why Princeton?” essay, as I would FILL it with my love of Woody Woo!</p>
<p>In January or February you will have the opportunity to interview with a Princeton alumnus. The interviews are not as important as grades, rigor of your classes, SATs, and teacher recommendations but are considered. Old alums are suckers for applicants that can succinctly state why they are interested in attending Princeton. Tell your interviewer “Why Princeton” and your love for Woody Woo and you will ace the interview.</p>