<p>I'm applying for hospital volunteer work during the summer (definitely going to get in), a few college research programs (going to be difficult...) and a tutoring job during the summer.</p>
<p>The only problem is, I want to add more to my resume. The list mentioned above is only a small snippet of my current resume, but I go to an extremely competitive school, and here we are pretty much expected to have page-long resumes of extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>So my question to you is, what are some impressive small-effort extracurriculars/activities that I can get involved in and add on to my resume?</p>
<p>I think it is better to have fewer ec’s than a bunch of meaningless ones. Let the few you have speak to your passions. I think college admin officiers can spot a kid who puts down a bunch of ec’s just to look good. Let’s face it, I don’t know of many ec’s that are impressive that require a “small effort”. Look at it this way, who is more impressive…the kid who lists eagle scout or the kid who matches that will a dozen small effort ec’s. Sounds like you already have several and putting down a bunch of meaningless ones may actually make the readers look at your application as suspect. Don’t get caught up in the competition of your high school. Be true to who you are. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Agree with above. Remember, “more” can mean deepening your experiences, rather than adding new ones. You get a lot more out consistent, thorough involvement than just showing up for meetings that others run or plugging into random “small effort” ecs. . Develop those brainstorming, problem- solving abilities and leadership skills in areas that really matter to you. Colleges respond best to this, and it will take you farther in your quest to be the adult you want to be.</p>
<p>I’m going to agree. What you should do is write your resume in a way the emphasizes the skills and responsibilities you have had for the activities you have been involved in. I don’t care if you were on the literary magazine. But if you tell me that you were in charge of layouts and used xyz program to do the work, I might find you useful.</p>
<p>Yes, your resume should be about one page. What have you already done that was meaningful to you? How can you deepen your commitment and leadership in those areas?</p>
<p>Loldanielol, your best bet is to find something you love to do – it doesn’t have to be high-profile – and pour your heart into doing it. Then write essays that express your passion. That is the way to stand out from the crowd.</p>
<p>Colleges are not impressed by a page long hodge-podge list of activities. They like to see what you are passionate about and how you pursued that passion outside of the school environment.</p>
<p>Agree with the above posters. A few meaningful activities with deep involvement is better than a lot of small ones. Follow your own interests and passions, don’t do activities because they “look good”. Think outside of just “school based” activities and look in your community, your house of worship (if you have one). Opportunities are everywhere.</p>
<p>Valentine’s Day is next week. I might ask you to suggest gestures that I could perform which would impress my wife, but actually require little effort on my part. However, it would be fruitless - she can tell the difference between window dressing and sincere commitment. And so can college admissions offices. They’d much rather see an accurate picture of what’s at the core of your priorities than the long list that LMNOP described.</p>
<p>Following up on what irishmary said about it being impressive to be an Eagle Scout - I think it is impressive to lead a project. That is one of the coolest things about Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Awardees - they took on something big (and helpful to the community) and carried it out. Look at the projects that have been accomplished by the Prudential Spirit of Community winners in the last few years. You don’t need to be in scouting to take on and carry out a project that is a great help. When it’s done, you’ve made the world a better place … and it does look good on your college applications.
[url=<a href=“http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/307?lp=306&reqid=1586]Honoree[/url”>http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/307?lp=306&reqid=1586]Honoree[/url</a>]
(It takes a bit to load any example student. The link works. Just be a bit patient.)</p>
<p>In general I agree that ECs should be done based on interest instead of resume potential. </p>
<p>Having said that, if you do have more time it may be worth looking at the common app EC categories. For example, it would feel good to not have the “leadership” category totally blank (I have memories of son bothered by that last year). I’m not suggesting you seek a club office just for a resume bullet. But if an opportunity arises that interests you and rounds out your experience, that could be a good thing. For the resume and for life experiences.</p>