<p>USA__O is a good EC</p>
<p>A "Good" ec is one that you actually have had a significant amount of involvement in. BTW, I don't know anyone who has actually started an organization outside of school. Lots of people say that they have, but I have yet to meet one and I go to a really competitive, ambitious school....</p>
<p>I have seen so many posts about Eagle Scout and like to say a few words here. I have myself seen some amazing Eagle Scout projects that deserve all the credit....and then some that were not worthy at all. I would not even let them qualify as a mere Service Project .... let alone an Eagle Project. It all depends upon the area demographics and the adult leaders and committee members who run the show. I strongly feel that BSA really needs to tighten their rules on ES approvals. I get the feeling that they get the weakest slip by as long as the basic requiremnts are met and it is not fair to ones who have really gone way above and beyond to get their ES rank. It is my take for what its worth that the BSA has fallen prey to the "fear" factor of getting a bad rap or getting slapped with lawsuit. Having said that I honestly feel that both the Scouting programs (for girls and boys) are very strong and opens a lot of doors of oppurtunities if they are administred properly. After all it is very "volunteer dependent" program and you dont always get good leaders who are capable of leading the young ones and be good role models themselves. I am a strong supporter of both the programs.</p>
<p>I totally agree. I'm working on my Eagle project right now (developing an area behind my church for a garden with statues and such) and I know people in other councils who get through with some food collection drives or flag retiring. Totally unfair.</p>
<p>I find this an interesting thread, since I'll be applying to colleges next fall/winter. I, too, wonder if my ECs will do anything to make me "stand out."</p>
<p>My most involving activity was a project I started to help kids in Africa. Last summer, my family adopted a little girl from Ethiopia. Because I was 13 at the beginning of the adoption process, I followed along through the whole duration. While we were in the paperwork stages, I learned of an orphanage for HIV positive children from Ethiopia that survives only on volunteer work and donations, and I knew I wanted to help. I then started, in the fall of my sophomore year, a project "The Sweet Dreams Project." I collected over 200 pairs of pajamas for the kids through my brother's elementary school, which I was able to personally deliver to the orphanage when we travelled to pick up my sister (which, of course, also makes a great college essay topic!) I wanted to do much, much more with my project after that, as did the orphanage directors. I'm now spreading awareness around my town on how others can help (by giving presentations to my church's Sunday school and my high school's freshman class), and I'm going to hold a drive later in the year to collect toys or school supplies. This project qualifies at a "Senior Interest Project" at my school, so I have the opportunity to win an award for it.</p>
<p>In addition to this, I'm president of two clubs at my school (including the International Club, through which we're financially sponsoring an Ethiopian girl at my request), and I hold officer positions in two more (including Peervention, through which I tutor a middle school kid once a week.) I'm also employed as a babysitter and summer camp counselor at my town's YMCA, and babysit extensively for local families including my own (I have three younger siblings, including a sister who's two.) I'm not sure how impressed colleges would be by that though.</p>
<p>Sorry for sounding like I'm full of myself...I assure you I'm not, although I don't see any other way to get specific insight. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Please be brutally honest! (Oh, and I do NOT plan to apply to HYPS...I hardly have a slim chance at those schools!)</p>
<p>I fundamentally think that EC's are over-rated. Colleges want to see that you have a non academic passion but doing everything from being president of the school NRA club to trying to stop gun violence shows a certain "phoniness". My advice is to choose something your good at and work hard at it. For example, the person before me had a pretty solid group of EC's, but look at what he did....mostly stuff for Ethiopa.</p>
<p>I was just accepted to USC, and I can guarantee it wasn't because of my GPA. Although I am a 4-year member(and leader) of many school clubs, and I have played many sports, I had ONE strong EC that I was extremely passionate about, wrote my essay about, and acquired experience about my major through. As long as you can relate how your experience with your EC will help you in the future, and how it has affected you as a person, you will be okay. Although it is great if you have performed at Carnegie Hall, there are MANY other things that colleges will look at and go "Wow, thats unique!" as well.</p>
<p>
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I fundamentally think that EC's are over-rated.
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</p>
<p>That's a misconception of astronomical proportions. HYPS see more academically qualified applicants than they can admit; ECs are a huge factor at such schools. Colleges (at least the top ones) would like to know you outside of the classroom. A 4 GPA with the toughest courseload sure is impressive, but not if your only extracurricular activity is making out with your pillow.</p>
<p>Northstarmom, you have set the EC bar much too high-only reachable by the likes of the insanely over-involved. Such exclusionary tactics only leaves "under-accomplished" students feeling even more so causing a sort of downward spiral of decay. These seem like more reasonable EC's in that they are accessible to the average student if enough effort is placed. Also, one must remember that it is both depth and length of involvement more than breadth which HYPSM look at when reviewing applicants.</p>
<p>Outstanding EC's: President and Officer of (Insert Club/Organization). State/National Placer in Competition. Special Commendation from (Insert Club/Organization).
Excellent EC's: Officer of (Insert Club/Organization). Boys/Girls State/Camp Royal/Community Service Orientated Camp
Good EC's: Member of (Insert Club/Organization). City/Local/County Placer in Competition.</p>
<p>This is kind of random, but, if you went on a TV reality show, like So you think you can dance? or American Idol, and were in the top 10, would that count as an outstanding extracurricular?</p>
<p>Oh no it is Sanjaya</p>
<p>
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This is kind of random, but, if you went on a TV reality show, like So you think you can dance? or American Idol, and were in the top 10, would that count as an outstanding extracurricular?
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</p>
<p>I would imagine this would depend on where you're applying to school, and in what field. </p>
<p>I don't think Stanford's biology department would be impressed that you were an American Idol, but if you're applying to a dance program at a school I would think they'd consider SYTYCD pretty outstanding.</p>
<p>About the Eagle/Girl scout thing:
I agree to a certain degree. I have earned my Gold Award for Girl Scouts after being one for about 13 years. I worked my behind off for that award. However, some people hold just one canned food drive and fib hours so that they can recieve that award, and that is just not fair. I put so many hours into something that actually matter to me while other can just make stuff up. </p>
<p>By the way: my main ECs are:
-Girl Scouts. I earned my gold award by organizing baking nights at the Ronald McDonald House for other groups. The Ronald McDonald House is a place where parents and families of children stay when their child is in a hospital recieving treatment. It was great. The kids loved it.
-I go about 3 hours a week to work with kids at a under-priviledged, mostly Latino school and I do math with them. I really do love doing this because it reminds me of when I was little and I struggled so much in school, partly because I didn't understand english.
-I also take guitar lessons. I'm not really amazingly gifted or anything, it's just something that I enjoy doing. It is really time consuming though. </p>
<p>I also really need a job so that's probably going to be something else to add onto my list :)</p>
<p>When I started high school (almost four years ago <em>wow</em>) my mom gave me really good advice...</p>
<p>(WARNING: CLICH</p>
<p>What is RSI?</p>
<p>Well I got my research paper published in Mathematical Journal,my Sat 1 scores are bad compared the top guys who post here,my Sat 2 scores are good though and my grades are very good as well and my school does not Rank,I have applied to five Ivies.I belive my chances are quite slim,is it possible for me to get in?</p>
<p>for info on rsi go to the summer program section. Its a summer science program</p>
<p>Does getting 1st at State DECA competition count? If anyone is curious, the event is quiz bowl</p>
<p>Im not sure about HPY, but from my experience schools like Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, Georgetown seem to look for at least one EC that shows leadership, and at least one that reflects what you're interested in academically. Im living proof that poor ECs are overlooked if you have a high rank, standardized test scores in the schools range (for me it was 2240, which isnt great considering i have poor ECs), take time to formulate a quality essay, and interview well. Im happy and going to Cornell without having to waste half my time in HS doing ECs to try to impress colleges.</p>
<p>I don't know about my ECs, people tell me they're better than I'd like to believe (I really don't think they're that amazing). I have a feeling I'll be counting on my academics more or less. Any comments? Here they are:</p>
<p>EC's:</p>
<p>NJ Science League (Test each month for four months a year)</p>
<p>NJ Chemistry Olympics (~ 3-5 hrs/wk for meetings/research from late Feb to early May)</p>
<p>Medical Careers Club (Running for Officer Next Year)
(~ 1.5 hrs/wk for meetings)</p>
<p>Science Competitor's Club (Officer, will run VP or P) (~1.5 hrs/wk for meetings; occasionally addt. time for projects)</p>
<p>Junior Statesmen of America (Chapter and NJ Dir. of Debate; will run VP or P for club and try to make Regional Dir. of Debate next year)
(~3-4 hrs/wk for meetings, debate writing, and political compositions (some of which I will consider submitting))</p>
<p>March of Dimes (Running for Officer Next Year) (~ 2 hrs meetings once a month; lots of additional time committed outside of that for fundraising)</p>
<p>Genetics Research (~ 40 hrs/wk for 8 wks over the summer 10th & 11th)</p>
<p>Piano (not school; played 4.5 yrs; ~ 2 hrs/wk with lessons and practice; I'm not that great at all)</p>
<p>Tennis (not school; played 8 yrs; ~ 3 hrs/wk club practice on Saturdays since 9th and tennis camp 9th summer; more like a hobby; don't really have the time or motivation (and possibly not even the skill) to try out for my school team lol) </p>
<p>Community Service (~300 hrs by application time; ~5 hrs/wk)</p>
<p>Robert Wood Johnson Mini-Medical Program (Wednesdays now thru April for ~2.5 hrs; nothing huge (although it's kind of competitive since ~500 people apply and only ~200 get in); just a part of my interest in the medical field)</p>
<p>Honors, Recognitions, Awards, Programs (Kinda weak right now):</p>
<p>NJ Science League (NJ Participant 10th Grade; Didn't Qualify out of my school this year)</p>
<p>National Latin Exam (Silver Medal in 9th; Gold Medal in 10th; test for 11th tomorrow)</p>
<p>Commendation from Governor/NJ State Legislature (in certificate form and given to each member of our chapter for setting up a March of Dimes fundraiser that raised thousands of $'s)</p>
<p>JSA Best Speaker Awards (Several in recognition of debate performance at conventions and conferences)</p>
<p>National Honors Society/National Latin Honors Society (11-12)</p>
<p>Predicted National Merit Semifinalist</p>
<p>Pending (Other Competitions Planned/Participating: USNCO (need to study hard for this one, coming up soon), Chemistry Olympics (in May), Siemen's Westinghouse/Intel (next year, with additional research conducted over next summer))</p>
<p>Well, I mean, my ECs are ok I guess, but not nearly as good as some people I know. For instance, because I have no time to study this year, I didn't make NJ Science League or AMC (:(). What do you guys think?</p>