What else for extracurriculars??

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I'm a soon-to-apply junior trying to wrap up her ECs at the last moment :)</p>

<p>Until now, my main ECs have to do with mock trial/moot court, tutoring multicultural kids, and a research project to Nepal. I'm a pre-law, so I'll probably be applying as Undecided for college. But anyways, the overall theme of my ECs are definitely law and related areas. I believe they're a bit weak, though, and don't know what to do to add an edge to my resume. My scores are pretty high, and I'm thinking of Ivy+ schools, possibly HYP (if my ECs match up, that is). My counselor recommended taking a law certificate exam and a sort of law olympiad (I live outside the States), as well as write some research papers. I've also been recommended to do things like petitions or working on a school anti-violence board. I'm guessing that the strategy is to make me seem like going in-depth in my field, rather than the standard well-rounded type. (I did do the orchestra and some sports, by the way, but they're really shallow. Not even sure whether I'll include them in my resume.)</p>

<p>I'll be doing every single thing up there on the list, and am pretty sure I'll be doing at least half okay. I'm still not sure whether that will make me stand out any more than the million applicants who'll be applying with me this year, however. Could you 1) rank these ECs and tell me whether they'll be any good and 2) recommend any other ECs I might do? I'm pretty desperate here, I'll try to do anything recommended. It'll be really helpful if you could come up with any ideas. Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>There is no real pre-law program. Law schools care about your grades and your LSATs. You can major in anything, preferably something that will help you in those two areas.</p>

3

<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts 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>

4

<p>Erin’s Dad, that’s part of my worries - while my ECs are definitely law-oriented, there are no pre-law programs, nor do I wish to get in one. I’m not sure whether I’m supposed to just write undecided on my major, or write pre-law to indicate my interest in the field. Do you know by any chance what options I have here?</p>

<p>mikemac, thanks for all the wonderful links!! They really did give me a new perspective on the issue. I just hope I can get the chances to do what I thought out now :(</p>