Hi, I’m in the process of creating a not-for-profit organization with a group of friends, which should be done soon. What category in the Common App’s activity section would I put this under? Thanks!
That would be an EC
@me29034 Yeah, but there are different types of activities like “Science/Math” or “Community (Volunteer)” for example.
So what kind of non-profit is it? What is it going to do?
How are you starting a non-profit? I thought you had to be over 18 to do that. There are annual legal obligations associated with non-profits. Do you have an adult that will do these things for you? This is a lot more involved than starting a club at your school.
From another post it looks like you are going into your senior year and you seem to be concerned that your ECs will hold you back. If you are going to be a senior next year I don’t think that any non-profit you start will be able make enough of an impact between now and next fall to make a huge difference in your application. You may be better off volunteering for an established non-profit or club.
But to answer your question you can classify it however you want in your application.
@me29034 I understand that it is more complicated than clubs at school, as we are currently working with a parent to fill out the 501©(3) and other articles for legal non-profit registration and tax exemption.
Also, the organization is aimed at providing less fortunate Chicagoan children with stuffed animals during the holidays. Many of the kids in the less financially-stable areas of the city have parents working multiple jobs or are unemployed. During the holidays, our organization will gift those children a stuffed animal “friend” that sticks by them. We are planning to have fundraisers and hopefully reach out to local toy manufacturers and preschools or kindergartens in the area to help bring this to life.
@happy1 Yeah, the non-profit may be something that I mention in the additional information section, but I also wanted it to be something that I can do in college
Look, in other threads, you mention Northwestern and Bucknell. You do not need a non profit to donate stuffed animals. You could ally with existing groups or religious orgs. Or just collect them with friends. And still call it an EC, though not especially challenging. In fact, there may already be local orgs doing this on a routine basis (or books. )
Top schools want to see the level of your thinking, not a certificate as a NP. Don’t wait til Christmas, get busy now. You don’t want top adcoms thinking, why did she wait, why was the effort put into forming a NP, rather than action?
Plus, they’ll suspect you needed/had parent help.
Honestly there will be so many new opportunities and new responsibilities once you start college that I wouldn’t spend the time and energy to start a non-profit on the assumption that you will be able to continue after HS.