<p>Ok, on the extra-curricular section of Columbia's application, it asks you to list your activities in the space provided. But THEN it asks you to NOT send attachments.</p>
<p>How are you supposed to explain what your activity is, what you do, what leadership you have on one line that is only 8 inches long WITHOUT sending attachments???</p>
<p>I'm confused... Aren't you normally asked to explain these things in [slight] detail, and don't most people submit attachments? How are you guys working around this?</p>
<p>I'm using the paper app, btw. I dunno if online is any different.</p>
<p>It's best to complete the online application, since that's what the school prefers.</p>
<p>Anyway, on the online app, we just list the activities, grades participated, and leadership positions if any. We are given a couple lines to elaborate on the most meaningful activity, and I guess that's where you describe what you do and why you do it.</p>
<p>And it doesn't want you to send attachments because the admissions officers don't want to go through pages and pages of descriptions. I'm sure you're fine just listing your activities and leadership positions.</p>
<p>I felt that the fields were a bit limiting also but I think the point was not to list every activity you've ever done but rather to narrow it down to clubs or interests you were really committed to. The personal statement does allow you to elaborate on the activities which impacted you (or you impacted) the most.</p>
<p>The point is that theres really no way for them tell what is legitimate and what isn't. What if a guy consistently won top 5 in 10 math tournaments every year and broke to late eliminations at every debate tournament, along with volunteering 300 hours and playing an a band competetively. Stuff like NMSC, AP, ...tons and tons of stuff you can't put down because theres no room. For the listing honors section, I can only list and describe (in 5 words) ONE award in those two lines. My essay also isn't about any of my activities. </p>
<p>My point is that when you're only allowed to put so little, it somewhat feels like you're being cut short of what you've accomplished and worked so hard for. Especially if you have a lot. No, I didn't do those things just for college apps, but it still sucks when you've worked so hard and someone else has done half the stuff you've done and gets away with having Columbia think its all that since theres no actual credentials on the level of accomplishment.</p>
<p>Sorry for the rant guys, its late. i'll probably delete this post later haha</p>
<p>Yeah, exactly. I'm just so confused because most other colleges allow you to actually explain what your duties entailed. Anyone can put down that they were president of XYZ club, but not everyone can explain what they did as president of XYZ club. </p>
<p>I guess Columbia's trying to make this easier on everyone, but it's just confusing the crap outta me.</p>
<p>its not MY obscure club.
ii'm just saying, the app makes it hard to distinguish the level of effort put into each activity. Someone who competed hard in Chess Club, Debate, Math Team, Band, and spent 300 volunteer hours tutoring kids in science will look the same on the columbia app as someone who merely participated in them and did nothing. You dont have adequate room to list accomplishments.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Someone who competed hard in Chess Club, Debate, Math Team, Band, and spent 300 volunteer hours tutoring kids in science will look the same on the columbia app as someone who merely participated in them and did nothing. You dont have adequate room to list accomplishments.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Because "I competed hard in Chess Club" really signals something important to colleges.</p>
<p>it was a hypothetical situation. and if one was really passionate in Chess, organized a large team, and sent them to various competitions and won in them, yes it would mean something.</p>
<p>your irrelevant sarcasm isn't funny nor helpful</p>
<p>Then how did you Columbia acceptees do it? Did you seriously just list the name of the club, which years of hs you did it in, and what your leadership position was (if any), and that was it?</p>
<p>Seriously, did you just put down:</p>
<p>Club XYZ 9,10,11,12 President (10-12)</p>
<p>Is it really THAT simple? There has to be a catch.</p>