What do you think of these ECs?

Applying to College
1

<p>This is what my ECs are going to look like when I finish high school. What do you think of them compared to other people applying to top-tier schools?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>United Synagogue Youth: Involved a lot. Had a lot of leadership positions, all leading up to chapter co-president.</p></li>
<li><p>Associated Student Body: Involved a TON. Like student government. Had a few leadership positions, but always had a position (ex. Commissioner of Publicity). Spent 8+ hours every week.</p></li>
<li><p>Math Club: Founded and presided since sophomore year.</p></li>
<li><p>Yearbook: Joined junior year. Editor in Chief senior year.</p></li>
<li><p>Unicycling: During my free time, I unicycle. I haven't entered any competitions or anything.</p></li>
<li><p>People to People Ambassador Programs: Student Ambassador during the summers of my sophomore year, junior year, and senior year. Visited Australia during my sophomore summer, South Africa during my junior summer, and China during my senior summer.</p></li>
<li><p>National Novel Writing Month: Participated since my sophomore year, won every year.</p></li>
<li><p>(Mascot)s Against Cancer: Joined sophomore year, but had leadership positions during my junior and senior years.</p></li>
<li><p>Website building: I have built several websites for some district teachers and local groups.</p></li>
<li><p>Other less important things: NHS, California Scholarship Federation, Tutoring, etc.</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>Your ECs look okay to me, but there doesn’t seem to really be any specific focus.</p>

3

<p>Agreed, no focus. Colleges want to see all around students but not with ECs.</p>

4

<p>What do you mean by “focus”? Do colleges actually want a specific type of EC or is it better to try everything?</p>

5

<p>Agree with the no focus, but the uni-cycling is very cool.</p>

<p>I believe the consensus is that colleges want a well-rounded student body, not necessarily people who try everything. Colleges want to see a passion through your ECs.</p>

6

<p>terribleeeee</p>

7

<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with comments by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) While I don’t agree with everything in them, take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>

8

<p>You’ll have to explain your ECs in further detail. If people don’t know what you’re talking about, it’s unlikely they will be impressed. </p>

<p>It’s really not about the activities but how *you present them<a href=“lies%20and%20exaggeration%20don’t%20help”>/i</a>. I think your activities are great, toystoryfan!</p>