<p>I just turned in my MIT application last week, and they let you only write in 5 extracurricular activities. When I added my EC hours, it only added to about 15 hours total per week. Is this considered low? The activities I do are almost all-year activities. Here is the reason.</p>
<p>For some activities, like Mu Alpha Theta, of which I'm leader, we have a lunchly meeting and a couple of hours fundraising per week, so that's 2-3 hours a week. Same w/ science club. One competition per year, a weekly practice, and not much else. Another one is that I sit on the school board, but that's only two meetings per month (4-5 hours each), so also not more than 2-3 hours a week. Research, too - about 5 hours a week (I had to take the average). Now, I have a lot of distinctions in each of these areas, including stuff like national science awards and also national awards in mu alpha theta contests and also science club, and am president of both. Since all my activities are about 3-hour commitments per week, will this make me look bad compared to people who spend about 20 hours a week on one activity? I AM VERY WORRIED!!! :( ....<em>SIGH</em></p>
<p>thanks, marite. There are some volunteer activities, such as some of the crisis prevention stuff I do, that I am extremely passionate about, that I can’t do more than about 10 hours a month (it’s physically impossible, as you can only attend one meeting and one event if you’re a selected member).
It’s that some of my friends are exaggerating their hours in math club and stuff because they felt that 2-3 hours a week was not sufficient. I’ve always been 100% against doing that, but now I just feel I may be looked upon as “lazy” because I don’t spend 40 hours a week on extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>Your ECs demonstrate ability, leadership, passion, and a wide range of interests. One problem with this board is that it fosters ridiculous notions, such as the idea that 15 hours isn’t “enough.” You’re fine. </p>
<p>BTW, you also show character by refusing to pad your resume. Integrity is a better EC than a few faked hours on a college app could ever be. ;)</p>
<p>There’s a reason MIT has only five lines: it tries to stop students from padding their resumes. Again, 15 hours are plenty. My S got into Harvard with far fewer (and no national awards).</p>
<p>thanks so much…that really does make me feel a lot better. I’ve always felt that the key to life is “balance” and I feel that 2 hrs of extracurriculars a day on average is enough, as I have to then take care of siblings, etc. Of course, when I have competitions, like science bowl, it’s more than 2-3 hours a week (more like 2 hours per night!) but it still averages out to 2-3 hours a week.
I do hope that MIT judges an extracurricular based not on quantity, but it’s quality. I was just really worried that I would not seem “passionate” (even though I am extremely so) simply because I chose not to inflate my hours on an activity (research, which was 4 hours a week for me).
as sad as it sounds, in fact, a boy works at a lab right next to mine, and he said on the same application that he worked 20+ hours a week during the school year on his project. At best, he comes in 2 days a week, for three hours a week…that only makes me wonder how much he decided to inflate his other ECs…</p>
<p>I agree, dashboard, balance is the key not only to success but to happiness; you are wise to have learned that at such a young age. And as I said above, the kind of person you are will do much more to determine your long-term course in life than will the details of a college application. Kids who cheat on their college apps are setting a pattern for themselves. Dishonesty will often achieve its immediate goal (admission), but if it becomes a habit, they are setting themselves up for much trouble and anguish down the road. So do what you know is right, and resist the temptation to compare yourself to others; this is how you’ll find your own path, and I have a feeling it’ll be a good one. :)</p>
<p>BTW, when you read on the Chance Me thread about kids who have a bazillion awards/ECs – you now know to take them with a big grain of salt. I suspect many of them are as inflated as your classmate’s. ;)</p>
<p>PS – If you want to communicate passion, use your essays to do that. Pick something about which you can write your heart out, and then rock that essay.</p>
<p>^thanks, LasMa. My counselor told me that what you accomplish in an EC is far more important than the hours you give in it (there are some ECs, like I mentioned, that you just can’t give more hours to if it’s like an appointed city position or with a prevention society).
I hope my counselor is right! Do you think it will put me at a disadvantage if I have 14-16 hours a week of ECs listed total? I sent in an additional resume relating to my work in those areas. For example, although school board is 2hrs/week, I sent in additional information about the site council (which I didn’t list, but relates to the former activity).
Otherwise I think I’m a pretty qualified applicant (2400 SATs, val, etc.)…I really do hope this doesn’t hurt me…if it does i will have lost my faith in the college admission process</p>
<p>When my D was applying to schools a few years back I remember one director of admissions saying that we don’t judge you on how you spend your time; we only want to know that you spend your time doing something you are passionate about. </p>
<p>Of course, she added, that we love to see demonstrated “leadership!” </p>
<p>When your ECs reflect who you are, match your goals and even intended major that’s a plus too.</p>
<p>As far as apps go–for adcoms–EC lists are informative, and a unique detailed rec goes a long way, but it’s (sometimes) the essays that provide a window into the true essence of who you are. It’s probably what will make a “reader” like you and want to admit you. </p>
<p>That’s what I’ve heard time and again from the mouths of various admissions people at highly selective schools, because most everyone has the “goods.”</p>
<p>You’re a val with a 2400 applying to MIT? You are well rounded-not just math/sci heavy. In all respects, it seems you will absolutely be okay.</p>
<p>I find it frustrating that students are so worried about how their ECs will “look.” The point is, what do you do to fill your time? Be honest. The rest is out of your hands.</p>
<p>I say this as a mom whose son has NO school ECs. However, he spends hours with his musical pursuits … no, not school-related. I encouraged him to tell the truth about what he does. If they want him, cool. If not, that’s how it goes. He is who he is, and he’s happy with himself. THAT is what matters.</p>