<p>I have few ECs and I am wondering if I should work towards getting more.</p>
<p>I am a horseback rider (and home-schooled) and I spend the majority of my time at the barn. I work all day on weekends feeding and schooling horses. Wednesdays and Fridays I work as a working student (a position I've held for 7 years). I am at the barn riding my horse every afternoon. The past 4 summers I have been a camp councilor.</p>
<p>All other time is spent either at the local CC taking classes or doing school work or studying.</p>
<p>I also have a lot of church volunteer work - cleaning up yards, feeding at a soup kitchen, fundraisers but all are done with my youth group. Also I was youth council VP for two years but that is my only "authority" position that I've held.</p>
<p>I am trying to find ways to fit in more volunteer work but it is very difficult to find the time. I am working on getting a volunteer position at my vet's clinic for this summer but I still will be doing summer camp too.</p>
<p>Any ideas on how this will effect my application? I've heard that dedication to one thing can be thought of as a good thing but I am not sure....</p>
<p>I don’t know the answer to your question, but you’re lucky to have a horse! I’m homeschooled too, btw ^^.</p>
<p>bump again…anyone have anything helpful to offer?</p>
<p>Anyone have anything to add?</p>
<p>You seem like an interesting person. Having focused EC’s is definitely a good idea, but I would not recommend to include lots of stuff involving church because although it is great, colleges receive this kind of stuff all the time. Rather, join a known volunteer organization. If your GPA and SAT’s are up to par, you are a good candidate.</p>
<p>Are there any programs in your area for helping handicapped kids through riding? Or a certificate program in that? That way you could still be with the horses.</p>
<p>It is not a bad theme for an essay on EC. Of course it would be so much better if it was a mule…</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. My GPA is good (Mostly As some Bs, all As in the CC classes), my SAT scores are mediocre, CR is above average, M is below average (I hate math but I a getting tutoring and hoping to improve this score), and W is average. </p>
<p>I’ve looked into the Therapeutic Riding Programs but the nearest one is over an hour away and I can’t afford the gas. </p>
<p>Thinking about things that make me stand out - I purchased, have cared for, and I’ve retrained my horse (ex-racehorse) from the ground up all by myself. I pay for everything myself w/o parents help ($500+ a month) and I work off my lessons and part of my board.</p>
<p>I know my rec will be great, one from my Trainer and another from an Teacher at the CC.</p>
<p>Would volunteering at the vet clinic be enough? The Summer Camp Councilor is also a volunteer position. </p>
<p>twomules -
You are right, it would be much better if a had a mule, though my mare does sometimes act like an a$$. :D</p>
<p>“Thinking about things that make me stand out - I purchased, have cared for, and I’ve retrained my horse (ex-racehorse) from the ground up all by myself. I pay for everything myself w/o parents help ($500+ a month) and I work off my lessons and part of my board.”</p>
<p>Very impressive and unusual, demonstrating commitment, passion, independence and responsibility along with a rare willingness to work hard to achieve one’s dreams. I think your ECs are outstanding.</p>