<p>Hello I am right now an 10th grader.
I'm wondering what kind of Sports / extracurriculum I should be doing.</p>
<p>Can you guys tell me some things that are good for my college app?
Like, some membership or award that I should try to get?</p>
<p>Colleges want you to join clubs you enjoy doing, not what looks good on a college app</p>
<p>Read this book by Cal Newport: How to be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Guide to Getting Into College By Standing Out (Without Burning Out). He has a lot of good things to say about ECs and what matters in the college admission process, and you are at a perfect age to read it (you have enough time to take his advice).</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter what you do specifically. You’re just supposed to show leadership, focus, dedication, and accomplishment. </p>
<p>Judging from the brevity of your post, the lack of detail stating any of your passions or interests, and your stereotypical username, it’s obvious that you need to talk to your school’s college counselor. ECs should not be a “collection” for your application to a college. If you want us to give you lists of popular ECs for specific interests, then you’ll need to provide us with a list of those interests first, NOT just ask something along the lines of “what ECs will get me into Ivy League schools herpderp?”</p>
<p>Just do anything that you enjoy.</p>
<p>Thank u guys ! Very helpful. However, @BipolarBuddhist … What you said isn’t helpful at all. Using Buddhist as username is stereotypical also. Who do u think you are? </p>
<p>XC is fun for every student!</p>
<p>Just do whatever interests you.</p>
<p>@MisterStudentt: I think I’m someone who undoubtedly knows more about the college process than you do.</p>
<p>Do Speech and Debate !!! It’s one of the few clubs where you’ll actually develop useful skills for later in life (ex. public speaking, collecting information, persuasive speaking). But seriously though, if you just do something because you want an award to look good for colleges, it’ll be obvious.</p>
<p>remember to also focus on the sat, subject tests and rigorous classes (ap/ib) also</p>
<p>What everyone else said about doing a club you actually like and are committed to, plus I would like to contribute MOCK TRIAL.</p>
<p>You develop skills in critical thinking, public speaking, writing, acting (which is useful in more real-life situations than you’d think), time management, and working as a part of a team, not to mention rules about dressing for business/formal occasions, which sounds minor, but is actually extremely important. There is such a community around mock trial - my team is like a family, and I think I can speak for most mock trial teams when I say that. Also, you gain legal/civic literacy, which is so crucial, regardless of what you end up doing in life.</p>
<p>I also love mock trial because you end up learning so much more than law. I know what to wear for interviews. I know how to articulate a point well. I know how to use body language to emphasize my point (and I know how to manipulate others to emphasize my point, too).</p>
<p>In case you couldn’t tell, I am kind of a freak about mock trial - I’ve been on the team for all of high school, was captain for three years, and won a best attorney award at the state championships. During my upcoming gap year I was hired in part to coach the team. If you have any questions, feel free to message me - I love talking about this club. :D</p>
<p>@BipolarBuddhist then why not give me some “good advices” and actually “answer” my questions, instead of insulting me? I don’t get why my username is disturbing you this much. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Note that “leadership” can take multiple forms. One of my kids had no leadership positions – she was not a captain of anything and did not hold any offices in any clubs. She was, however, the top individual performer in a couple of activities that had a team component. She was able to use the “quiet leadership” and “leading by example” angle to her advantage, I think. Accepted everyplace she applied, including U of Chicago, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, Carleton, and a some lower ranked schools with good merit money.</p>
<p>Hey @MisterStudentt I’m in the same situation. Except I’ll be a junior in a few weeks. I’ve been wanting to find some EC activities but I just can’t find anything that really interests me, so instead of joining clubs that don’t appeal to me, I’ve decided to make my own club this upcoming year, maybe you should do the same? I’m thinking of starting a model UN club since I’m interested in international affairs. I joined my schools tennis team last year and as it turns out, I now really like tennis. Before that, however, I played water polo, which I didn’t enjoy as much. My advice is to put yourself out there and eventually you’ll find something you’ll like. </p>
<p>I would say just do a lot of clubs that you like and get leadership in them, like everyone else is saying. For instance, I plan in being the head of my school’s diversity club, black student union, and gay straight alliance by the time I graduate (hopefully of course, I’ll only be a sophomore, plus I’m changing schools this year lol). Notice how those clubs are all related and they all show my passion for diversity. So I say take whatever you truly like, and do clubs (or create them) that you will want to put forth the effort in to become an officer.
Good luck! </p>
<p>That is not really what everyone is saying… Cal Newport’s book gives advice to NOT join a ton of clubs, but find something (possibly outside of school) that is NOT what everyone else is doing and build on that. Go against the flow, it can really pay off to be different from the other applicants. You definitely need to put time and energy into ECs, but colleges like people who put their own individual stamp on activities. They are aching for unusual and authentic applicants, so do your best to be one. :)</p>