Which EC do i write about??? unique or traditional

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a rising senior faced with a bit of a conundrum regarding my college essays. Many schools, specifically Georgetown, have an essay for an important extra curricular. Now I'm torn between writing about the more unique/impressive EC that is newer or the one i've committed the most time to and is more traditional. </p>

<p>I plan on majoring in Econ as well as something political related</p>

<p>Option 1: Debate
I've been in debate since my Freshman year holding 3 leadership positions: Novice Captain (10), Exec Board Member (11), and Captain (12). Debate has been my main EC in high school and i've committed a ton of time to it both in meetings and out of school. I also went to debate camp in the summer and have done a lot of out of school work for my own improvement and for the team. In addition to time, I have been successful. I won Novice and JV state my freshman and sophomore years respectively. I octa-finaled at Varsity state junior year and also qualified for nationals and won conference. With debate I have also had struggles, (overcoming adversity) to go to more advanced national tournaments, with the school administration. While debate certainly isn't a unique EC, I have put so much time and effort into it and got a lot in return.</p>

<p>Option 2: Obama Campaign
This summer I connected with my local Obama for America reelection campaign office. There I met with the leader of the office who offered to let myself and a friend (my debate partner actually) open a branch office to lighten the load on the main office. I have consistently volunteered at the original office, making calls and doing data entry, before the new office has opened. Also, I have gone on canvassing trips to Iowa (from IL) and other campaign events. Now we are opening our own office/phone bank nearer to our homes and are in charge of it from the end of the summer through the election. I'll have the title 'phone bank captain' or something similar. While this EC hasn't consumed as much of my time during high school I certainly have been very committed and rised up the ranks rapidly. This is also something that many high school students haven't done and may be more impressive. </p>

<p>Which should I write about for my EC essay?
Also: I can't write about either extensively in my personal statement/main essay</p>

2

<p>Do the unique one, just avoid making excessively inflammatory political statements, if you can. Best not to offend anyone on the admissions committee if you can. It sounds like a great topic otherwise, though. :)</p>

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<p>bump…
also if it helps I’m looking to apply to Georgetown, GWU, northeastern, fordham, nyu</p>

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<p>Maybe repost this in the College Essays forum; you might get better results there.</p>

5

<p>Volunteering with a political campaign is not really that unique.</p>

<p>Which one are you more passionate about? You should write about whichever one really captures your passion more, and let that passion shine through.</p>

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<p>Could you tie the two together? The over-arching theme is your commitment to political education and awareness. Something along the lines of ‘my experience with debate has made me an educated consumer of political discourse - and I am now acting on my beliefs by engaging in the upcoming election in an unusual way (for a high school student).’</p>

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<p>I agree with juillet. do what you care about most. “uniqueness” doesn’t really matter here.</p>

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<p>Lots of people write about debate. Hell, even I’m writing about debate.
But what you have to understand is that you have to write about something that means something to you AND something you feel the need to elaborate on. The Obama for America work can be summarized in a few words, and I think you can list that on the ECA list without losing any important information. However, mentioning debate in the ECA list on the CA list might make you feel that you are not saying enough. That’s when you elaborate on your passion for debate in the essay.</p>

<p>But so many people write about debate…but if it means something to you, don’t hesitate.</p>

9

<p>hmmm…I would worry about a political essay but if you are passionate about it, that matters too.</p>

<p>My daughter had to choose between dance (I think more traditional) and cheerleading. She chose cheerleading and I think it made her stand out.</p>