<p>The EC’s you have read more like “interests” than extra curricular activities for the most part. Playing 4 instruments is great, especially if you’re able to do so at a proficient level for at least one. Writing and photography are both good as long as they step outside the realm of a hobby–are you part of a literary magazine club at school where you can publish your work? Writing and taking pictures are both great, but if it’s just something you do for fun after school without taking any extra curricular classes, workshops, or clubs, it might be hard to incorporate it into a college application. Same goes with reading–are you part of a book club? You can’t just put “reading” as an EC on the common app. If it’s something you love, you can start a book club at your school. That’ll show leadership, initiative, and will turn a hobby into something you can officially show colleges.</p>