How do people get into engineering clubs in college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.

Because a new club, a club that’s actually taking new members, is no good. Just like we all know a college isn’t worth going to if it has an acceptance rate over 20%. It’s all about proving you can get into an exclusive club. What the club actually does, or whether they do anything at all, is immaterial. That’s what you and all his friends and his college counselor taught him when he was applying to colleges, and he learned his lesson well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.

Because a new club, a club that’s actually taking new members, is no good. Just like we all know a college isn’t worth going to if it has an acceptance rate over 20%. It’s all about proving you can get into an exclusive club. What the club actually does, or whether they do anything at all, is immaterial. That’s what you and all his friends and his college counselor taught him when he was applying to colleges, and he learned his lesson well.

But how is it possible, while in high school the precocious child founded a bunch of clubs, was elected in the leadership, had quantifiable impact, not the mention they founded a non-profit that helped thousands across the globe, and the baking business with six figure revenues. It must be true because it was on the college application.

Were they lying, or it was mom doing all the legwork? Both? Got it! And they are complaining they don’t have a chance to get into competitive college clubs. But that shouldn’t be a problem for these self-starter entrepreneurial kids. Nauseating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.

Because a new club, a club that’s actually taking new members, is no good. Just like we all know a college isn’t worth going to if it has an acceptance rate over 20%. It’s all about proving you can get into an exclusive club. What the club actually does, or whether they do anything at all, is immaterial. That’s what you and all his friends and his college counselor taught him when he was applying to colleges, and he learned his lesson well.

But how is it possible, while in high school the precocious child founded a bunch of clubs, was elected in the leadership, had quantifiable impact, not the mention they founded a non-profit that helped thousands across the globe, and the baking business with six figure revenues. It must be true because it was on the college application.

Were they lying, or it was mom doing all the legwork? Both? Got it! And they are complaining they don’t have a chance to get into competitive college clubs. But that shouldn’t be a problem for these self-starter entrepreneurial kids. Nauseating!

Most large colleges make it almost impossible to start a new organization. It’s not like high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.

Because a new club, a club that’s actually taking new members, is no good. Just like we all know a college isn’t worth going to if it has an acceptance rate over 20%. It’s all about proving you can get into an exclusive club. What the club actually does, or whether they do anything at all, is immaterial. That’s what you and all his friends and his college counselor taught him when he was applying to colleges, and he learned his lesson well.

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."
- Groucho Marx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.

Because a new club, a club that’s actually taking new members, is no good. Just like we all know a college isn’t worth going to if it has an acceptance rate over 20%. It’s all about proving you can get into an exclusive club. What the club actually does, or whether they do anything at all, is immaterial. That’s what you and all his friends and his college counselor taught him when he was applying to colleges, and he learned his lesson well.

But how is it possible, while in high school the precocious child founded a bunch of clubs, was elected in the leadership, had quantifiable impact, not the mention they founded a non-profit that helped thousands across the globe, and the baking business with six figure revenues. It must be true because it was on the college application.

Were they lying, or it was mom doing all the legwork? Both? Got it! And they are complaining they don’t have a chance to get into competitive college clubs. But that shouldn’t be a problem for these self-starter entrepreneurial kids. Nauseating!

Most large colleges make it almost impossible to start a new organization. It’s not like high school

Not really, mom. In fact it’s quite simple, and easier than high school because you’re dealing with young adults that don’t need supervision. You need the minimum number of officers 2-4, and to draft and file a constitution. To get money for organizing events the club had to apply to the student government, and most colleges have funds for events that improve campus life.

Name the college from the most that make it impossible to stat a new club and I guarantee you it doesn’t take more than an afternoon.

[Anonymous]

My older kid is in leadership for a different type of club at her college. They don’t get that much funding so really can’t send more than about 10 people to th competitions. I think they have two levels — the level that goes to competitions and then a level that is more open that just does local stuff. They go to an expensive private university but they are still pretty tight with funds for the clubs.

She does this because she enjoys it. I doubt it will help her with grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My older kid is in leadership for a different type of club at her college. They don’t get that much funding so really can’t send more than about 10 people to th competitions. I think they have two levels — the level that goes to competitions and then a level that is more open that just does local stuff. They go to an expensive private university but they are still pretty tight with funds for the clubs.

She does this because she enjoys it. I doubt it will help her with grad school.

What do people think is the purpose of these clubs? If they are meant for the benefit of 10 kids, of course they won’t get much money from the college. Clubs for competitions need sponsors and have to apply for outside grants. A club that will organize activities and events attended by many will get money because they enhance the student life. Anyone that gets to be part of a club leadership understands these things that to be fair are quite obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.

Because a new club, a club that’s actually taking new members, is no good. Just like we all know a college isn’t worth going to if it has an acceptance rate over 20%. It’s all about proving you can get into an exclusive club. What the club actually does, or whether they do anything at all, is immaterial. That’s what you and all his friends and his college counselor taught him when he was applying to colleges, and he learned his lesson well.

But how is it possible, while in high school the precocious child founded a bunch of clubs, was elected in the leadership, had quantifiable impact, not the mention they founded a non-profit that helped thousands across the globe, and the baking business with six figure revenues. It must be true because it was on the college application.

Were they lying, or it was mom doing all the legwork? Both? Got it! And they are complaining they don’t have a chance to get into competitive college clubs. But that shouldn’t be a problem for these self-starter entrepreneurial kids. Nauseating!

Don’t forget the passion project on which they worked diligently since elementary school. Funny how that passion died off the day they submitted the college applications. These kids that changed the world before graduating high school are quietly seating in the anti chamber of college clubs waiting to be let in. Something doesn’t make sense.