<p>Have the guts to get involved in any EC that interests you. Do this even if you haven’t tried that activity before. It’s easier to be a newbie as a freshman than as a senior.</p>
<p>Don’t join things to impress colleges: Join things because you like the activities.</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t factor ECs into admission. The ones that do favor students who have done well at things the students enjoyed. The colleges are looking for students who made the best use of their own interests and talents and for whom the college would be a good fit, not students who tried to force themselves to fit the college’s mold.</p>