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
[quote]
No club or activity is more important than another. We are more interested in the depth of your commitment and achievement than in the sheer quantity of your activities. An exceptional experience in one or two activities demonstrates your dedication more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact your participation has had on that club or organization, in your school, or in the larger community.
Application</a> & Supplement : Stanford University

[/quote]
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%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<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 and How</a> Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? 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>