Questions about my EC's?

Applying to College
1

<p>Here's the basic deal, I'm currently doing Speech and Debate and I just started this year (sophomore) and probably will continue until I graduate. I've been doing key club since my freshman year and I started MUN this year. Here's the conflict: I basically think MUN is worthless seeing as how I don't even like it, I think key club is also insignificant but I like doing community projects, and I have no idea what other EC's I should do. I'd really want to quit MUN b/c I don't see myself getting anywhere with it but I'd want to have it b/c it's an EC, w/o it, I'd just have key club and Speech and Debate...I'm not the type of person who would just stack up on clubs just to impress colleges, which is why I'm having a hard time doing MUN. All the EC's at my school are basically worthless. It's basically a bunch of clubs put together and the only real thing I like doing is Speech. I'm thinking about joining DECA but I have yet to decide on that. The problem is that in the end, I'd only have Speech and Debate and Key Club as my EC's. What should I do? Should i quit MUN and have a small amount of EC's? Or should I keep MUN, hate it, but at least have a higher amount of EC's?
By the way, I currently just practice piano, trumpet, and I also do swimming only to stay in shape. My dad doesn't want to waste money to put me into lessons again but he wants me to still remember how to play both my instruments pretty well (which I do, with trumpet I'm really good I think). I know how to swim (the forms and all that) but I hate swimming, I only do it b/c my dad makes me so I can stay in shape. Real quick: Do these even count as EC's? I'm pretty fluent in both my instruments and I only swim to keep in shape.
To sum up my real concern...Should I only take EC's that I like even though that may be few and should I take more EC's which I may end up hating? I'm trying to find more EC's that I might end up liking...if at all possible.</p>

<p>Here's my initial list that I intend on doing:
Speech and Debate (10-12)-Maybe become Captain b/c I'm really dedicated to this.
Key Club (9-12)-I'd really want to run for a board position
MUN If I decide to cont. (10-12)
DECA If I decide to join (10-12)
Ping Pong Club b/c my friends are in it (10-12)
Volunteering at Salvation Army and Library (200+ hours from each)
Law Firm Internship during summer before senior year (Dad has connections)</p>

<p>If I can get really far with Speech and Debate like on a national level...Then I think I need not continue MUN. Sorry for making this long but whatever help you'd have to offer is completely appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Btw, I’m thinking about taking up cross country junior year but still pondering the thought.</p>

3

<p>This above all else, to your own self be true. Do what you love.</p>

<p>Possibly look into ECs outside of school, if you enjoy them?</p>

4

<p>Thank you, bump…</p>

5

<p>The key to strong ECs isn’t just a list of things you’ve joined. It’s showing leadership and accomplishment. So when you write “Or should I keep MUN, hate it, but at least have a higher amount of EC’s?” you’re already going down the wrong path. As Stanford says in its admission FAQ

</p>

<p>NSM, an Ivy interviewer, posted a list of strong ECs a while back in <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>Here are a pair of links you should read to get an idea of how to build strong ECs. [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)</p>

6

<p>If you don’t like MUN, drop it and start doing something that you care about. Youre just wasting your time being in an organization that you don’t like. What you’re doing is keeping you from doing wonderful things in an organization that is a good fit for you. You won’t impress colleges by what you’re doing, and you won’t develop skills and learn things about yourself and the world that will help you with your career and life in general.</p>

7

<p>Hmm, thanks for the input guys.</p>