<p>In short, I'm aiming towards prestigious colleges. Next year, I'd like to join one or two of the following:
-Debate Team
-Ski Club
-Ultimate Frisbee
-Community Service club
-Above the influence club</p>
<p>Once joined, I plan to work my way up to a leadership position by the time I'm an upperclassman.
I also have plans to create either a Beta club (leadership club) or an ecology club. </p>
<p>As of now, I'm in Spanish club and marching band and plan to continue these throughout my four years. </p>
<p>I'm aware that joining too many clubs is not good. </p>
<p>Here are my questions:
1. Will it look bad to join a club AND create a club during sophomore year to a prestigious college?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Which clubs generally "look better" on an application? </p></li>
<li><p>Will it look bad if I create a club junior year as well?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Please keep in mind that I have full interest in all of the clubs mentioned and I will be committed.</p>
<ol>
<li>Why exactly would it look bad?</li>
<li>The ones you give a flying **** about. </li>
<li>It’s not like creating a club is all that impressive to begin with - all you basically have to do is get the school to approve it and then have people stay after school for half an hour a week to eat chips and pretend they’re doing something productive. If all you want to do is impress colleges, there are better things you can do with your time.</li>
</ol>
<p>All though I would not join the majority of my ECs after freshman year I see no issue with continuing to join new ECs throughout your years in high school.</p>
<p>I recommend not joining any of these. If your main concern is how it’s going to look for college, then you have the wrong idea. If you want to join something then join it. Why does it matter whether colleges will like it or not. If you want to do it, then do it.</p>
<p>It won’t look bad. I joined a club sophomore year and revived one junior year and was a leader in both, and was accepted into some selective schools. One thing I’ve learned, as a senior done with the college process is to be conscious of what your r</p>
<p>I joined the debate team as a sophomore and I’m glad I did because I was very immature and not very smart as a freshman. I’d inadvertently given myself time to become a better person before making a first impression on the community. (I was still immature and dumb as a sophomore, but at least in the process of growing up.)</p>
<p>I’m with joshk10. It disturbing to me that kids in 9th grade are plotting out their high school careers in an effort to impress “prestigious” colleges.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to create tension, but please understand that my entire goal for high school completion is college. I believe it takes proper planning, instead of making bad decisions on the run (which I have regrettably done before). Like I said, I will have full interest in these clubs if joined - I’m not intending to use them as resume “fillers.” However, if my college career is at hand, it’s not worth the risk. College is essential to me and I’ll do what it takes to reach my goals. Thanks for all your advice.</p>
<p>S joined and started several clubs in SR of HS. It didn’t hurt him only helped. Joining in soph year, you can do much more, but don’t over extend yourself.</p>
<p>I’m echoing those above me in saying that you should only join/create clubs that you TRULY care about. Because just founding a club or holding a leadership position in one won’t actually impress colleges that much (it’s not that hard to just create a random club). It’s what you do in your position in the club that matters. Did you found a club where all you do is sit around and eat chips? Or did your club hold school-wide discussions, organize campaigns (if applicable), raise $$$ for something etc.</p>
<p>Also, there really isn’t that much of a difference what club it is in my opinion. I would actually avoid the stereotypical overachiever clubs like NHS because well, a ton of people do them just to look good, and it gets kind of overused.</p>
<p>No it won’t look bad or like you aren’t actually committed. I wish I could go back to sophomore year and join clubs that I actually really enjoyed rather than the typical “Student Government” and “International Club” type stuff that I hated and eventually quit, leaving me with nothing. I also thought it seemed like it was too late to join new things sophomore year. And just recently it finally clicked with me that I should just join the clubs I’ve legit always wanted to join, but felt like it was too late to do so or I’d be behind in skill (sports clubs). But you know what? Next year as a SENIOR I’m going to join them. Even though colleges won’t even know about them, I’m doing them because I want to! It feels great.</p>
<p>Edit: I just re read your post and realized your school already has an Above the Influence club. I originally thought it said you wanted to start an Above the Influence club. So there would obviously be no need for SADD at your school and you can ignore the rest of this post XD</p>
<p>You mentioned an Above the Influence Club. I was in SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) which is the same thing and is a national club, so if you wanted to start one at your school I’m sure you could get some help with the processes online. SADD does a huge school wide assembly every year just before prom about the dangers of drunk driving and its actually really cool and everyone looks forward to it. They also distribute posters and bracelets during red ribbon week in the fall, and visit elementary and middle schools to talk about making positive decisions. So really you could get some community service out of the club too.</p>