<p>During my freshman year, I was involved in Debate and Speech. But since I sucked, I quit after the first year. I was also involved in two other ECs, but spent most of my fresh year on debate and speech. </p>
<p>To include would seem like I lack commitment, but to not include would maybe make me seem like a slacker my freshman year. Include/not include?</p>
<p>Also, I've been concertmaster/mistress of lots of schools orchestra concerts and tours. Since they're not EC, I don't know how to include show that I've been a leader in school orchestra. How can I include that? </p>
<p>Don't include speech and debate. It's not worth listing down 1 year activities.</p>
<p>um, they don't care about "slacking off" in 9th grade, 3 years of commitment is enough, lots of people I know had no problem getting into good schools with EC's in only 10th grade and above, some even 11th grade and on..</p>
<p>I disagree. If you include a resume with everything you have done throughout high school, why not include an activity that you explored and decided was not for you? At least it shows you were willing to try new things and when that didn't work, you went out and tried another activity. They do not expect kids to be great at everything they try nor do they expect kids to like everything they try, especially when the kids in question are 14 years old. It's only a lack of commitment if you quit halfway through the year without finishing your obligations. And your concert activities are EC's, in my opinion, and I suggest you put them down on the application or your resume.</p>
<p>Bah, I have the same thing with Quiz Bowl.....I'm pretty sure I'm not going to include it. I don't want to be the person who has a laundry list of activities that they've done for a little bit and then stopped.</p>
<p>Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, but I have another EC related question I thought might fit in here.</p>
<p>So my two major ECs are rowing and playing the cello. I spend A LOT of time on them. I'm involved in a few other clubs, but they're pretty low on the time-commitment scale--most meet every few weeks, if that, and require little effort. For example, Recycling Club has all but disbanded because the detention kids have taken over recycling duties (there has been a large increase in delinquency in our school this year).</p>
<p>So I guess my question is--does it look bad when I don't spend multiple hours/week on certain activities? Should I even bother listing them on the app?</p>
<p>OMG I did Speech and Debate only in 9th grade then quit. I listed it tho b/c I was a WACFL National Qualifier for Declamtion so I put it as an EC and Award</p>
<p>qualling for nats is pretty good! (unless you live in Montana, Idaho, etc: places with really weak regions). The competition gets ridiculous at the national level, so I really hope adcoms understand my success and my dedication to a really difficult EC.</p>
<p>elven_hobbit: Regardless of the <em>amount</em> of time spent on these activities, do you feel that your participation made a difference in the clubs' accomplishments? If so, include them. If you just showed up to hang out with friends, don't include them.</p>
<p>Adcoms will certainly understand the dedication rowing and playing a musical instrument requires, and to go above and beyond that is terrific. It's not YOUR fault that the Recycling Club has faltered -- in fact, it sounds to me like the school made the detention kids responsible for those duties because the administration was convinced that program needed to be in place for the school, and pursuing that route ensures continuity.</p>