So a friend and I are planning to start a couple of clubs next year, when we are seniors. One of them seems to go right along with my past high school record of interests, the other does not. Now, will colleges view this unfavorably, as a blatant attempt to pad my resume? I fear they will think I am disingenuous…
<em>note</em>: For the record, I really am <em>not</em> just trying to pad my resume. I have a genuine interest in and passion for my ECs. The thing that doesn’t really seem to go along w/ the other stuff I have done is a Model UN club…my school has nothing like it presently and I want to double major in international relations and another subject in the future. So yeah. Don’t want to give off the wrong impression =)
<p>Hmm...I def see where you're coming from. I'd write about them in your essays, and prove with your passion that you aren't just padding. Without explanation, it may not reflect on you well, especially if you don't have a strong record of extra-curricular leadership.</p>
<p>IMO, if you really are starting these clubs because you want to, then go right ahead and do it...if you are afraid of them "reflecting badly" then just dont make them a centerpoint of you app, hide them away in the corner somewhere...</p>
<p>I think that it would be (no offense) stupid to not start a club for fear of appearing to be app padding...I also wanna make fun of you for even considering this, but the sad part about the college app process is that your fear is pretty legit...</p>
<p>i am in a model UN team in college and i do outreach and student advising in helping other schools start their own model UN clubs. it's not a simple task to do, especially during a busy and hectic (and perhaps senioritis filled) senior year. especially if you take into consideration establishing the club for the future. </p>
<p>but PM me and i can chat some more about model UN.</p>
<p>Start the clubs...any experience you get will help in college regardless...as suggested don't make a big deal, but if it is in the mix of other ECs it should be fine. </p>
<p>If you have plenty of other EC stuff that is consistent and shows commitment throughout highschool, adding something in Senior Year won't reflect badly/ It is the students who have done nothing for three years who suddenly have ten ECs in senior year that are doubted. Sometimes senior year can get boring because you have been there done that. Starting something new can keep things exciting and that will get your through the tedium!!</p>
<p>There was a girl at Ds hs who started a club her senior year. Ten years later it is running strong. Its her legacy.</p>
<p>The fact that someone would actually consider not starting a club if it interests them because some nameless person on the college admissions process will think they are lazy (even though starting a club is NEVER lazy) is proof that the college admissions process has gone too far.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I will take your (wonderful) advice. And I agree, it is pretty sad that I even have to consider what impression a nameless admissions officer will get from all this =)</p>
<p>it will look suspicious because it appears you have waited until your senior year to do it. had you laid the groundwork done it might have looked more sincere. at this point, if you put it on your resume, you would have to be explicit about it being something you are trying to do, rather than something you have actually accomplished.</p>
<p>if you dont put that clarification on your application, and list it only as an accomplishment , it would be dishonest.</p>
<p>Many people wait to start something. Its when people finally figure out the system. A freshman coming in trying to start a new club isn't taken that seriouslly. Sometimes good ideas come to us at different times. That doesn't mean it should be ignored because its not perfect timing. That would be ridiculous.</p>
<p>It won't look suspicious. Jeesh. If its not in big bold red letters, its just one more thing. </p>
<p>"Worked with several other students to start a new club. Learned a lot laying the groundwork. It was something that we felt the school would benefit from having. We spent the summer doing research with other similar programs, and hopefully will continue on." or whatever. Does that look bad?</p>
<p>Isn't there a place on the common app where you write about your favorite or most important ec? I started a club my junior year, and wrote about it. If you can write about one that you started and explain why it was important to you, it would look good. I think it would be difficult to start a club as a freshman or sophomore, and college probably recognize that.</p>