If you were going to recommend to a freshman which ECs to get involved with…what would be your recommendation and why? Any insight into what colleges consider is also welcomed.
I’ll start… I would suggest that a student consider the newspaper or the debate team because each teaches research, note taking and communication.
<p>Key Club! : D</p>
<p>Good question, and good topic idea.</p>
<p>I'd say something pertaining to leadership, like student government, as long as you're actively involved. In fact, any activity in which you commit yourself and have a leadership position is a strong one.</p>
<p>Student council at my school is a joke. Speeches aren't even given out, not even posters. It's basically a popularity contest within the grade 12's, since other grades can't pick the executive council. Actually, I'm wrong in saying it's a popularity contest, since the kids have parameters. The voters actually do choose students who are hard workers, but on the promise of what? And the only thing the council really does is organize dances. I really have no respect for student councils, and I think it's a lot more worthwhile for a person who's committed to truly making an impact to do something else, such as write in the school's paper or start a club.</p>
<p>Oh, well I suppose I'm just speaking from personal experience then...the student government in my school is involved in everything, we have meetings at least once or twice a week, and during our peak times during the year we spend a good 8-10 hours a week frantically working.</p>
<p>Science fair and/or research is very good if you are planning to do science/engineering. Speech team is pretty good too. Academic Decathlon, if it's offered at your school, is very impressive also, especially if you win something at state or nationals. Community service is also looked upon positively, and it's even better if it relates to what you wanna major in. Some other options could be serious athletics or band.</p>
<p>Realize that you do not need to do ten different activities. What you should do is dedicate yourself to three or four activities AT MOST and truly go above and beyond in those activities. For example, it is much better to do Academic Decathlon for four years, become the team captain, win numerous medals at state, and win something at nationals, rather than just being a member of decathlon, speech, nhs, fbla, math club, key club, chess club, senate, newspaper, etc.</p>
<p>Varsity sports is very good too, esp if you have very good grades. Athletes are looked at as not only good team players, but able to manage time well.</p>
<p>Do alot of activities and decide which ones you like.</p>
<p>Like debate, paper, science olympiad, fbla - go to all of there meetings and if you like them continue</p>
<p>if you play a sport, find an activity that fits around practices</p>
<p>I would suggest that the student pursue in depth and with creatively ECs involving areas of the student's passionate interest. As the student pursues this interest, the student should look for ways of taking leadership and getting in depth knowledge about the area, including doing research, starting projects and getting involved in community and professional organizations related to the EC.</p>
<p>I would suggest that the student choose ECs based on their own interests, not what they assume will impress colleges.</p>
<p>I agree Northstarmom, that students interest must be served, but that can be done while writing for a student paper, forming a club, presenting speeches on it.. Sometimes it is limited to what the school will support, for others they will create the ec even if the organization doesn't exist yet.</p>
<p>Key Club can be important.. if you're president....</p>
<p>If you play music, try to get involved with as many music groups as possible. </p>
<p>If you can, try to get involved with a small group of around 4-6 EC's and stay with them throughout high school. Dedication is very important in admissions, so if you can show that you can give your time every week to an EC, it is a great thing.</p>
<p>Your EC involvement is not limited to what your school currently offers. You always can follow your own passions by starting a new club in your school or community, starting a new program in an existing organization, or by joining an organization (including a professional one) in your community.</p>
<p>ECs also don't have to be done through formal organizations. If one is a writer and gets published , that counts as an EC. Having a job counts as an EC. Volunteer work counts as an EC. One also can demonstrate leadership through virtually any kind of endeavor.</p>
<p>A guitarist who starts a rock group demonstrates leadership. The leadership is even more pronounced if the guitarist also writes the group's music or helps arrange bookings. A writer who starts a literacy magazine, a literary section for a student paper, a creative writers club, all shows leadership.</p>