Question about EC's

Applying to College
1

<p>I only have 4 EC's and they're not very strong ones. However, I do have a leadership position in one of them and will probably have one next year too. I'm also hoping to earn a leadership position in two other clubs that I'm in. I haven't been able to do many EC's because of a lack of transportation, but now I'm getting a car so that will no longer be a problem. </p>

<p>I have 4 or 5 activities that I'm planning to start within the next 1-2 months because I've been wanting to do them for a very LONG time. One of them is starting a non-profit organization with my cousin (I'm really excited!). I applied for the Bank of America internship and Economics for Leaders, so I will choose one of them to do this summer if I get in to any of those programs. </p>

<p>Will I have enough ECs? Will starting ECs this late in Junior year hurt me in the college admissions process? If I were to have only 4 EC's (which aren't very strong) will that hurt me?</p>

2

<p>I’m in the same situation, except I don’t even have 4 (and not even any leadership lol). From I have read, it will significantly damper your chances if you are apply to a prestigious private institution. However, if you are applying to a second-tier or lower school, it will not hurt you AS MUCH, considering your have good academics (GPA, rank, test scores). Hope this helps…</p>

3

<p>People have gotten into college with less than 4 EC’s.</p>

4

<p>I’m looking at some top-tier schools like NYU, Georgetown, George Washington University, Carnegie Mellon etc…</p>

5

<p>Anymore opinions?</p>

6

<p>IMHO you’re on the wrong track here. Selective colleges don’t care how many ECs you have; that’s why “will I have enough” is the wrong question to ask. Top colleges care what you did with your ECs, not how big the count is. As Stanford says

There is a thread with comments by NSM, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Two very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [How</a> Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]How”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) Take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some ideas of how to make your ECs as effective for your app as they can be.</p>

7

<p>That’s what I meant when I said they weren’t strong ones. I have not committed a lot of time to them and my achievements in them are basically none. I’ve done things like sell dance tickets, make posters, volunteer for community events (set-up for a race, help with a parade etc…), write for school newspaper here and there. Nothing impressive at all.</p>