Which goes in, which comes out? (ECs)

Applying to College
1

Hi! Im an international applicant to India, applying this year. I have a very very tough list of colleges, and Ill be EDing to Penn (M&T). So I currently have listed around 9 ECs in the common app fields, and have around 4 more and am wondering which of those should fill in that last spot. Or I wouldnt mind taking out 1 from the current 9 thus making space for another.

So heres where I need help. Which should go in, and which should come out?

Heres what I have right now (I`m writing these very very briefly compared to what I have listed in the app):

(* means one of my best ECs, wont take out)

1*. Founder President of an NPO which has been operating since quite some time now.

2*. Been playing tennis since 9 years now, represented city several seasons

3*. Debating since several years, won debates on national level

4*. Founded my own MUN conference that generated roughly 2.5 USD (independently organised, makes it completely unique)

  1. Participated in several MUNs around the city and have won most of them

6*. Head Boy of school, ex prefect in previous school

  1. Founded my own company quite recently which provides art services
  2. Went on a 20 day student exchange program to Sweden, worked on a project with Swedish students
  3. Completed 5 online courses on coursera including Wharton`s business specialisation

Here are the remaining ones in line:

  1. Varsity Soccer team Captain: 11, 12 2: Interned for a month at a software company where I worked on open erp development (didnt do anything major though) 3: Have been playing the harmonium (instrument) since I was 7. However this hasnt been on a competitive level, just as a mode of relaxation and a way of staying rooted to my culture. Could this come off as something 'unique' in my favour? 4: Partner at a Web design company founded by my friend since a few months now, where I work mostly in accounts, marketing, client management, business development apart from general management

Thanks in advance! :slight_smile:

2
  • How big is the NPO and what does it do?
  • Is $2.50 a typo?
  • Explain "founded your own company".
  • Put Varsity Soccer Captain on the list.
  • If playing the harmonium is enjoyable to you, then put it.
  • Unless the web design company has any serious business, don't put all the things you worked in, as it seems to me it's just the two of you.
3
  1. Actually its an NGO. We have been doing Social Work for the past year now, and have completed several projects on various issues Indian society faces such as cleanliness, petrol wastage, paper wastage, etc. If you want I can PM you the website link.
  2. Yes its a typo. I meant 2.5K
  3. Its something new I`ve been working on, basically a products company. Again if you want, I can PM you details

I wouldnt say the web design company has SERIOUS SERIOUS business, but we have gotten quite a few clients, and have roughly 25 employees. So no, its not just me.

Thanks for your help :slight_smile: @Noahfireih

4

You need to group the activities. Like 4 and 5 could be one activity.

5

Founding your own MUN is good but I would be more interested in how many kids participated and how many conferences you organised and how good a learning opportunity they were for those that participated. The idea of MUN as a money making activity is strange to me - unless the money went to charity in which case you should explain that.

6

Great question!

Ok so the MUN culture in India is quite different from what it is, as I`ve gathered, in the US. Here, we dont do it as a school activity or as a club. There are independently organised MUN conferences around the country organised by colleges, organisations, clubs, etc. What makes Utopia MUN (my MUN) unique is that it was completely organised independently by a team of minors (Below 18) headed by me, which makes it one of its kind, definitely in the city.

Our MUNs are given a competition touch to it, with cash prizes and other prizes up for stakes. Definitely, the educational benefits are very important for us but most students participate for the prizes. Hence MUNs in India are quite alot of a money making activity for everyone: The participants, the committee chairpersons, and yes, the organisers.

I personaly have been on the Organising Committee for 2 MUNs. Pune Model United Nations, as an Assistant Director, which is the largest MUN in Pune with over 800 delegates. It generated a revenue of Rs 13 lakh (20K USD). Utopia MUN, which I`m proud to say is my brainchild, had over 150 delegates and generated around Rs 1.6 lakh (2K USD).

Regarding charity, actually yes, we did donate 50% of our profits.

Hope that answers your question @Longdistancemum

7

Agree with @DrGoogle - group some of these.

Suggest you group Tennis and Varsity soccer together under a common heading like Athletics

Can Debate and Model UN also be combined? When were the national debate

Skip 8 and 9, combine 1 and 7 under “entrepreneurial activities” and add the web design co partnership

For the extras - skip the internship if it had little value to you

8

The kid that got into Stanford with 1700, granted he was a URM, didn’t have stellar grades either, great but not perfect, because he presented well on the application. But other kids who list boat loads of activities are just that, boat load of activities.