I’m a hs junior, and one of my EC’s that I’ve enjoyed and cared about the most was being a tour guide at my state’s Capitol building during the summer. Like I’ve said, I’ve really liked it, and I have done it for three summers, and it definitely made me more interested in poliSci, which I plan to major in. Great experience overall!
However, just out of sheer curiosity, does this type of EC really stand out for a top school?
Thank you!
Your extracurriculars do not need to “stand out.” Do what you enjoy! Then, when it is time to write your application, tell your story in a way that shows how they were important to you and how you made an impact through them. They will be one piece of an application that helps paint a picture of who you are and how you would contribute to the campus community.
It’s a good activity that will be appreciated, but isn’t going to especially “stand out”.
A good EC is something you care about. Pick activities you love and follow them with commitment.
No one EC, or the lack of a particular EC, will make or break your college admission.
But this has some value for you. First and foremost, you enjoyed the experience. It got you interested in a possible major. It has potential in terms of your college essay. You may have met some people who can help you down the road.
So I would say it was a great EC for you!
Nobody else is telling you so I will. No, it does not.
Read thru the sticky ‘“Those ECs are weak…”- So what’s good?’ at the top of the “What Are My Chances?” forum and decide for yourself where this falls. It’s not that you should not have been a guide. Sounds like it was wonderful for you and gave you direction for your college major.
But top schools are looking for ECs that reflect leadership and/or achievement. Is this one? Near as I can tell, you took a training class to learn the guide spiel and then spent 3 summers doing what you were told. Kudos for taking the initiative to sign up for the program, its better than the kids spending summers playing video games. In short: a personally rewarding experience but not one that “stands out” in any way at a top school.
You could have done more with this. To make something up off the top of my head, you could have set up a 2x/month breakfast during the summers with those working in the state capitol and your fellow tour guides (who presumably also have an interest in government). You would have been the person inviting legislators, committee researchers, staffers in various government departments, etc. and arranged for them to meet for donuts prior to the start of the day’s tours to give a brief talk about what they do and how they got there, then answered questions. This is leadership and may have delivered a strong letter of rec. Doubtless you could have come up with many other ideas if this one doesn’t make sense.
Schools like to see you “doing” who you “are”. So how does that EC reflect that? What’s the appeal of it to you?
They want to know you are engaged outside the classroom. Do not pick ECS based on how you think they look on an application. If you follow your interests, you can tell a coherent story about who you are.
thank you all for the responses!