<p>Do top colleges(i.e. Princeton,cornell,duke,columbia,etc...)prefer a well-rounded EC list, or a somewhat limited list with alot of time invested in each one?or both(as in alot of EC's but alota time spent in only a few)?</p>
<p>Bumpppppppppp</p>
<p>Dwang</p>
<p>Good question – My view is that they are looking for ECs that show dedication and commitment over a number of years. However, that’s only one man’s opinion, I don’t really know.</p>
<p>iono, to me they sound pretty similar. How about a limited list in one area of focus (doesn’t have to be your major. people can get into Ivys as bio majors doing well in cello or lit or whatever) and you do well in them (national distinction, awards, etc.)</p>
<p>iono what you really mean by well rounded. You don’t have to be superman if that’s what you’re talking about. Just super man in what you like and like a certain category of expertise .</p>
<p>Bumpppppppppp</p>
<p>Honestly I think it depends on the ECs.</p>
<p>I attend an academically rigorous college prep in California and we have a really good college counseling staff. What we have been advised to do is find few-several activities we love and invest a lot of time in them rather than doing every single ec we can handle. Often times when people have ec’s all over the map, it’s hard to pinpoint where ones true interests are. In my opinion, it’s impossible to be truly and wholeheartedly interested in a multitude of ec’s. A lot of times I can spot the people who are doing certain activities just for college apps.</p>
<p>I take back what I said.</p>
<p>The better choice of the two options that you listed is the one which you can tie together more powerfully with your essays/personal statements.</p>
<p>Both. Well-rounded, with evidence of “dedication and commitment, over a number of years” as Zephyr said. And, evidence you do more than pursue activities that fit your own narrow interests or “passions” or benefit your future career plans. You need some joining, some teamwork, some leadership, some things done for others. </p>
<p>I have no idea why anyone advises a short list. You don’t want to max it out with junk. But, it’s not a resume where you only include things relevant to the specific job you’re applying for. They need an idea of the sort of kid you’ll be on campus, ouside the classroom, lab, library.</p>
<p>And, where you tie your ECs to a written answer is in the short about one EC. Your personal statement can be entirely different.</p>