Questions regarding ECs?

Applying to College
1

<p>Because I'm not very social and I strongly dislike group activities I've never participated in traditional ECs. I don't know if the activities I participate in count, so would these be considered ECs?</p>

<p>Reading (not low quality stuff)
Writing (haven't even looked into getting published)
Sewing
Drawing</p>

<p>Because I'm in traditional schooling I'll finish in 2 years instead of 4, so would it be worth it to participate in an activity for only 2 years or would it look like I'm just trying to look good to colleges?</p>

2

<p>SMH.</p>

<p>Aren’t you the same kid who was oh-so-persistent about making up your ECs? </p>

<p>

Have you considered reading about ethics and moral values? Or how to become more social so you can overcome your dislike (fear?) of social/group activities?</p>

3

<p>Why don’t you like group activities? Since you like to read and write, try joining a book club (so you can have people to discuss with) or, try writing for a local newspaper. Do something that you enjoy that shares your strengths/talents with other people.</p>

<p>I’ve joined groups this year(im a senior) that I absolutely love! If colleges want to think that I joined them simply for the college, I really don’t care. I joined for myself,not for filling in some line on an “activities sheet”.</p>

4

<p>so would these be considered ECs?</p>

<p>Reading (not low quality stuff)
Writing (haven’t even looked into getting published)
Sewing
Drawing</p>

<p>^No, these would not count as EC’s because they don’t require leadership, collaboration with others, teamwork, etc. These are “hobbies”.</p>

5

<p>One thing a college is going to ask is how you are going to contribute to their community. Get out into the world and try to do some good. You will get something out of it as well.</p>

6

<p>even if jshain is right though, i don’t think (if you have absolutely nothing else) you can’t put those on the activities list i guess… i mean if that’s what you do you might as well be truthful.</p>

<p>i don’t do a lot of traditional EC’s either… whatever that means.</p>

7

<p>"SMH.</p>

<p>Aren’t you the same kid who was oh-so-persistent about making up your ECs?</p>

<p>Have you considered reading about ethics and moral values? Or how to become more social so you can overcome your dislike (fear?) of social/group activities?"</p>

<p>SMH?</p>

<p>Yes, though I wouldn’t say I’m persistent, I inquired about the potential consequences of a potentially beneficial action, and when I learned that the risks outweighed the benefits I abandoned the idea. Ethics is not my favorite area of philosophy, but I still find it intriguing. No, I’ve never considered being more sociable, there simply aren’t enough of the type of people I’m looking for to socialize with, also I’m solitary by nature, even as a baby my face wouldn’t light up when seeing another baby, like other children did. Thankfully, I’m not plagued by social anxiety, I could probably benefit from better teamwork skills, mine are very poor, especially as a subordinate. Maybe I shouldn’t say I dislike socialization, because there are numerous people whose company I greatly enjoy, I’m just completely neutral to most people, kind of like I am to furniture.</p>

<p>"Why don’t you like group activities? Since you like to read and write, try joining a book club (so you can have people to discuss with) or, try writing for a local newspaper. Do something that you enjoy that shares your strengths/talents with other people. "</p>

<p>I work best on my own, that is the main reason. That is a good idea, I looked bookclubs up in my area and I think I’ll go to next months meeting, thank you for that.</p>

<p>"No, these would not count as EC’s because they don’t require leadership, collaboration with others, teamwork, etc. These are “hobbies”. "</p>

<p>Figured so.</p>

<p>"One thing a college is going to ask is how you are going to contribute to their community. Get out into the world and try to do some good. You will get something out of it as well. "</p>

<p>Thank you for your advice, I’ll take it into consideration.</p>

<p>“even if jshain is right though, i don’t think (if you have absolutely nothing else) you can’t put those on the activities list i guess… i mean if that’s what you do you might as well be truthful.”</p>

<p>I think I will.</p>

8

<p>“even if jshain is right though, i don’t think (if you have absolutely nothing else) you can’t put those on the activities list i guess… i mean if that’s what you do you might as well be truthful.”</p>

<p>I think I will. </p>

<p>^I agree. I also think the book club idea from LAXer25 is a GREAT idea! Maybe start a new (book) club at your school, if you like it and feel comfortable. Even after you graduate, how cool would that be to say you started a new club at your HS?</p>

9

<p>The first step is to go and join that book club. And then maybe later you could start a book club. It’s better late, than never, to come out of you shell. Good luck dude. And yes you should put those “EC’s” on your activities list because its better than nothing.</p>

10

<p>If your sewing/drawing is of high quality, you could put on an exhibit or sell your stuff to raise money for charity. If you decided to sell your items to make money for yourself, that is considered self-employment. Either way, you are developing skills and showing leadership.</p>

11

<p>Who says hobbies aren’t ECs? Many hobbies require commitment, creativity and vision, empathy and/or a myriad of other important skills and abilities. If you are an avid photographer, an artist, a writer, a bird-watcher, chef, civil war, reenactor or whatever and invest a significant amount of time into this activity, it is most definitely an extra-curricular activity. Don’t discount your accomplishments just because they aren’t sponsored by the school, don’t occur in groups or don’t get external recognition. </p>

<p>Adcoms can admit only so many editors of school newspapers and captains of the whatever team. The real question is what does a person with these passions, skills, interests and abilities add to the class that they don’t already have?</p>

12

<p>^But they have to be able/willing to share thier passion and skill with the rest of the class, not lurk in the corner keeping it to themselves</p>

<p>Good luck with book club transparentglass!!</p>