Worried about my extra-curriculars...

Applying to College
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<p>So I've been browsing through the "chance me" sections and I'm really worried because everyone seems to have 234614756034256034 extra-curriculars and I do not. Is it true that colleges rather commitment when it comes to EC's? Because that would play in my favor...</p>

<p>I since freshman year, I have done extremely well in athletics--particularly running. I participate in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track; four year participant. I am a 4 year varsity letterman in each sport, I've been a captain the past two years in all three sports, I am a district/state qualifier, and I hold two school records. I also plan to be a walk-on at any college I go to.</p>

<p>I don't see how I could possibly participate in as many EC's and people on here are participating in. But, other than running, I am a four year class secretary, four year student council member, and I am president of national honor society. I am also a three year member of two community service clubs at my school. And for a small part of the year I have a job (seasonally open ice cream shop)</p>

<p>I know I don't have a book load of EC's, but how does my resume look? Is it a good thing that running dictates my life? I was always confident in my EC's until I starting browsing this website...</p>

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<p>Relax. It’s better to take the time to be very good at something than it is to dabble in dozens of different things.</p>

<p>(And really, you seem to have quite a few school ECs and leadership to boot)</p>

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<p>Keep in mind that out of the 3,000 or so 4-year colleges in the US EC’s are important for admission at only a small fraction. Perhaps the most selective 100 or so. You can see what factors matter in admission at schools you are considering by looking at their Common Data Set filings. Most students worry needlessly about EC’s when they’ll play only a small factor or not even be considered!</p>

<p>The question about impressive EC’s 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>As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. Stanford, for example, says

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<p>Don’t worry, your EC’s are fine. Remember, there’re only ten spaces for them on the common app. I had to shave my EC’s to only those I had leadership in/work experience/important community service clubs, so some of people’s stuff is gonna go right out the window.</p>

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<p>Oh thank goodness. Thanks everyone!</p>

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<p>You are doing fine. Everyone we spoke to in admissions said the same thing. They would rather see commitment and quality rather than quantity.</p>

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<p>A classmate of my D’s is headed to Columbia next fall…recruited runner :)</p>