So I’m a junior, and like many on this site, I plan to apply to a good amount of the most selective schools (obviously I’ll have many safeties as well).
My friend and I want to create an astronomy club, and we already have a good club plan. We’re currently working on getting a teacher to sponsor us, but we’re both concerned about the ramifications of doing this.
I know that many start a club to look impressive to admission officers, and I feel like creating this club, especially in junior year, would have a terrible effect on my applications next year. And mind you, neither of us is creating this club to look impressive - we both actually LOVE astronomy and we want our school to have a place for it. I just want to know if I shouldn’t do this because admission officers might get the wrong idea.
If you are a serious candidate for the most selective schools, then starting a club in an area of interest to you shouldn’t have any real impact on your application either way. I would assume you probably wouldn’t even list it on your application.
Do things you are interested in and if you want to start an astronomy club, do it. It won’t get you into a college you are not otherwise qualified for, but it certainly won’t hurt you in any way.
I’m actually thinking of starting an astronomy club at my school and for the same reasons (and I’m a junior too)! I’ve found a sponsor and know a few professors who can come give talks. Besides that, though, I was actually not quite sure of what the club would be able to do. We live where there’s a lot of light pollution so we’d have trouble observing. My goal is to raise interest in astronomy (my favorite subject) but I’m afraid of this not being accomplished. What are your plans for your club?
From what I’ve read admission counselors want to see students creating, starting and maintaining an idea like yours. Astronomy club - how cool is that! Then when you discover something new in the sky -!they’ll be really impressed! Go for it!
Honestly, don’t worry about what the admissions officers will think.
Just do it if you really want to.
No college views starting a club junior/senior years as bad. They only view it negatively if your lack of interest in the subject of the club is obvious which means that your motivation to start the club was purely for college.
It’s not about being “bad” as much as it’s been beaten to death.
A litmus test about whether it’s resume padding or a true org to foster an interest is — what’s your succession plan? Or was there truly not a similar club nearby that you could join? At another HS? Or is it about the tag line on your college apps that says “founder”?
I think I’d fall out of my chair if someone honestly said:“I heard about this fantastic club at my school and in 11th grade, I joined it and loved it. I never held a title but I devoted tons of time to it b/c I enjoyed it so much”
Personally, I’m skeptical about the “founder” thing – simply b/c I’ve not run across someone who truly is starting something unique (they usually “start” some local charity thing, raise money and send a check to the cause du jour). Perhaps your astronomy club can be different. Good luck, if it’s so.
If you so concerned about the negative ramifications, then leave off “Founder” from your activities sheet. Just say you were an officer of the club. Simple.