<p>The more I am reading this forum, the more I become concerned about my ECs.
My problem is that I don't really participate in school activites, I don't do newspaper, I hate leadership, and I am not even in a math club, only sports are my school ECs.
However, I've an outside school hobby: programming. I often challenge myself on TopCoder, I code in C++ for fun since I was 12 (learning Nemerle and LISP now). I've several accomplished projects on my account, a couple of Brainbench certifications and I moderate several programming boards in internet.
So, can I still put these as my ECs? Shall lack of school activites (like: honor society) going to really put me down?
Thanks for all comments!</p>
<p>Extracurricular activities are, in a broad sense, activities in which you are involved outside the classroom. Many ecs are centered around school, but many others are perfectly good. Community service, music, tutoring, and jobs are just a few. Programming could be quite a good ec, especially if you bring it out in your essays. If you're still worried about it, why not see if you can start some sort of computer/programming club at your school?</p>
<p>If you have an interest in majoring in the programming field, than having that would be a huge asset compared to being in your usual clubs. You are passionate about one thing, which is the most important. Use that to your advantage in your essay and try to include links to the boards & projects for further evidence.</p>