The "good grades, bad EC's" conundrum

So I have a question. My extra curricular’s are not so great. Right now
I am captain of the tennis team,
member of chamber orchestra,
member of NHS,
Math Honor Society,
activity officer in Model UN,
officer in Red Cross Club,
volunteer at hospital
(I also did a prestigious internship at a software engineering company and did some serious work there)
and president of debate club.

But the problem I am facing has to do with debate. I am currently president not because I am qualified, but because the club is being run from the ground and our teacher sponsor had officer elections and I ran for president and won. I was a member of debate last year and did 2-3 tournaments so I have some experience, but I am in no way qualified to be president. I need more coaching to be good but we dont have a legitimate coach (our teacher sponsor doesn’t know anything about debate). The question I have is: Should I drop debate club even though I am president? Since we don’t have a real coach, I am probably not going to get much better, and will most likely not receive any significant awards. Will colleges look straight through the title of president and see it as meaningless if I don’t actually win anything?

I know extra curricular activities are relative based on what colleges I am looking at. The colleges I would like to attend are Pomona, Duke, UCLA, UPenn, Brown, UVA. My grades are fine right now (3.85 UW). I am a junior so I don’t have much time. Any advice?

(I know that these schools are hard for everyone to get into, no matter the rigor of your extra curriculars. But do I have a shot?)

Start your college selection with a safety that you know that you will get into and know that you can afford (be sure to talk to your parents about what the price limit is and use the college net price calculators). Most of the colleges on your list are reach-for-everyone; you would be competing with numerous applicants with 4.0 GPAs, top end test scores, and state or national level extracurricular achievement.

On the contrary, I think it speaks volumes about your leadership ability and the trust other students place in you that you were voted president despite not being the strongest debater. Don’t for God’s sake quit the club.

– Former captain of an 0-9 football team, accepted to 2 Ivies.

Lots of people end up in leadership positions that they aren’t qualified to fill. Those with innate leadership potential do the best they can, learn on the job, and ask for as much help as they can find. It’s not about winning awards - it’s about stepping up to a challenge and doing the best you can. I think that’s admirable and highly compelling - and it will take you along way in life. So no, don’t quit. And selective schools will want to hear about how you rose to the challenge, assuming you do.

How are your ECs bad?

And you should not quit debate. The fact that you are president means a lot and can give you a lot of opportunities. You just need to rise to the occasion.

Definitely don’t drop debate. Being president of debate is does not mean you are the best debater in the world, it means you are the person willing to put the time and energy into running the club.

Oooh…sounds like a character builder.

@guineagirl96 it’s not that I think they are bad, but I just feel like they are lacking substance… Like colleges will see through some of them as just resume fillers.

@marbles24 What can you do about it in now? Any clubs you join now will be superficial. I think your ECs are good -and stay on as President of Debate and do the best job you can. As mentioned, you deserve it as much as anyone else. If the team improves, you may have a great story to tell in your college apps.

@marbles24 ,

I agree-- I think it speaks volumes that you were elected, whether or not you know much. For what it’s worth, you weren’t elected moderator-- you’re not supposed to be the coach. You were elected President by your peers-- that speaks volumes about what they think of you.

I coached Speech & Debate for 18 years. If I can be of any help, please ask.

Here’s what I would do in your position. Stay with debate. Bring in some outside coaching. You might have to have a fundraiser. Make your position really mean something. Show true leadership. It’s not about winning it’s about creating a team. You’ve got at least six months to make a real difference. It might make a great essay topic and even if it doesn’t it could be a great learning experience.

@bjkmom how should I improve? Since there is no coach, what do you think I should do to get better to lead the team?

Well, for starters, look online. Most leagues have websites-- why not contact the moderators at a few and simply ask for help?

Start here (Sorry, I led with what I know-- NYC area leagues. But you can certainly google ones close to you.)
https://www.facebook.com/National-Catholic-Forensic-League-316130124338/
http://www.ncfl.org/ncfl-resources
http://www.lifa.org/
http://www.msdlonline.org/related-organizations.html
http://debate.nyc/
http://www.phillycfl.org/
http://www.pbcfl.net/
http://www.oocities.org/geneseevalley/contact.html