<p>When I filled out the CommonApp, I filled up all the spaces in the extracurricular section with my activities. However I'm currently filling out my UC application, and since they split up ECs, community service, and educational prep programs, I end up having an empty space on my EC section.</p>
<p>So I was wondering, is it better to leave it blank or put one of my hobbies as my EC? Because there are a couple things I do that I spend A LOT of time on but aren't really "official" extracurriculars. For example, I surf pretty much every weekend (and almost everyday in the summer) but I'm not apart of any actual team or competitions. Also, I'm really into photography, and I used my own money from my job to buy different types of cameras and always try to teach myself new techniques through online tutorials and stuff. I even have a blog that I've updated regularly (pretty much weekly) since freshman year. (It's not super popular but I do have some regular viewers.) But I've never entered any competitions or gotten any type of recognition for it; it's just something I like to do and spend a lot of time with.</p>
<p>So pretty much, I don't really know if these count as ECs, because they're more like hobbies than actual activities (since its not part of an official organization or anything) or whatever. Do you think I should leave the space blank or put in one of these as my activity? Thanks for any help!!</p>
<p>(and I know this isn't a super good activity or anything, but just please remember that this isn't an application for an ivy league or something. I'm applying to schools like UCI and I'm shooting for Berkeley--plus I think my other activities are pretty good. this is just something extra that I want to know whether it's worth putting down.)</p>
<p>Unless it’s relevant to your application–like you’re a future engineer who builds rockets in their spare time–don’t put down hobbies. You do not need to fill up every blank on an app. You don’t. The only thing that could be relevant is your photography, but only if you’ve pursued it past mere recreation. Have you won local awards? Scholastic Art and Writing? Worked with a local photographer to learn more about it? If not, it’s just an interesting facet of your personality, not something an adcom needs to know.</p>
<p>If you were my kid, I’d tell you to include both the photography and the surfing for exactly the purposes of letting them know you as a person. I think this is especially important if you are applying to LACs. Let them know you and envision you on campus.</p>
<p>Binders: Anything outside of your school hours is EC.</p>
<p>On my soapbox:
I really dislike how our culture takes peoples interests and wants to give them weight only if there is a competition involved. Play an instrument just because you like it, spend Saturday fooling around with light and settings on your camera, horseback ride because it feels good to be outside, etc. Be yourself and do things that have importance to you.</p>
<p>List the activities you want to list. If it takes up a lot of your time and especially if you intend on continuing such activities in college. List the surfing and photography. I had one activity that I would spend at least an hour a day doing that was relatively related to my career interests, but doesn’t have any awards, so I put it down, possibly even as work experience because I was usually doing it for other people. Colleges want to see the real you and your hobbies are very much an important part of who you are.</p>