<p>So, is there a considerable advantage between two people who are both equally involved in and passionate about their EC’s, but one of them has the “cookie-cutter” list of debate, piano, etc., and one has a list of more obscure activities?</p>
<p>It might be, if the college is trying to “build a diverse class of interesting students” so that the 1000th piano playing applicant may be less favorably looked on after the admissions committee has admitted “more than enough” piano players.</p>
<p>But not all colleges’ admissions practices are done with that goal in mind. Indeed, it is likely that most colleges do not consider ECs at all, or consider them only minimally.</p>
<p>I’m in orchestra and I play the viola, that definitely isn’t very cookie-cutter. Good violists are very rare.</p>
<p>It seems that all of the most selective colleges want to make a “highly diverse” class nowadays.</p>
<p>The thing about “cookie-cutter” EC’s is not necessarily the EC’s themselves (debate, NHS, etc.) but mostly just being in them just to look good on a college app.</p>
<p>How do colleges KNOW or SEE that you’re not merely doing an EC for resume padding?</p>
<p>Say you’re doing “Community Service Club” if they see that you/club organized many events, really made an impact in your community, was recognized nationally by the organization, got some scholarships from the organization, they will know that you really did put effort into the ec.</p>