<p>I once heard that having too many EC's can be a bad thing for your college application and that one should only be in a couple of activities per year. Is this true? Why?</p>
<p>Yes, it’s true. It’s about quality, not quantity.</p>
<p>then would doing one sport and 3 clubs a year be almost perfect?</p>
<p>It depends on what you mean by doing. If you’re “doing” your sport at the highest national level, then that’s enough; forget about the clubs. If you have a choice between being a casual member of three clubs vs. a leader in one, opt for being a leader in one.</p>
<p>okay how about clubs that are not just for fun such as drama club. But clubs such as MUN (model united nations), national honors society, and a volunteering service type club, as well as being in varsity soccer. and perhaps next year class president?</p>
<p>Same answer. Better to be dedicated to one than a fly on the wall in three.</p>
<p>okay, which of those three do you think would be more effective If I could choose to be a leader in any of them?</p>
<p>Most colleges look to your ECs to determine if you have committed to one. They are not as impressed by the student who participates in a lot of things, but has no evidence of passion for any in particular.</p>
<p>Yes its true. Kids that collect ECs are often said by adcoms to be “a mile wide and an inch deep”. At most colleges, it must be said, ECs are either ignored or barely a factor in admissions. For those that do care, the philosophy is similar to what Stanford says in its FAQ
The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html</a></p>
<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) While I don’t agree with everything in them, take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>