What are your kids’ EC’s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Professional actor (union status, national award), 4 yrs
All state + regional award in music performance, 4 yrs
Regional award in music composition, 4 yrs
3 years F/W varsity sport, Capt
4 years club, Pres
Bunch of honor societies + tutoring/activities they require, 2-3 yrs
Church volunteering, 4 yrs
Served on local arts board, 1 yr
Tutoring (paid), 3 yrs
School ambassador, 1 yr

Seems like a lot, but some if these were more time consuming (sport/music perf) than others (music comp, arts board, ambassador).

How did they have time for acting and a sport?. I was an actor and could not have fit in a sport because of the regular attendance requirement (practices, games) would interfere with acting. Not doubting. Just curious how they work that out.

[Anonymous]

Four year HS sport (one);
Four year club sport;
PT internship in field of interest (2 years);
Co-founded/president of HS club;
Officer of another club;
NHS member;
PT employment;
Self taught guitarist (hobby)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my daughter’s list. She is a lot more motivated than I am!

Fall/Spring sports all 4 years, plus winter training
Volunteers 2x month doing food distribution
Foster kittens (lots of time involved in this)
Member of a county wide board
Social media manager for one club
President of Model UN
Secretary for another club
Tutoring through English Honor Society
Member of a few other clubs
Works part time
Volunteers for student government projects at school
Member of a district wide advisory committee.

Wow! My DC will have a much smaller list. The main activity demands 16-20 hours a week year round. There just isn’t enough time with school in the way. :p

I think colleges looking at a list like pp’s will tend to assume her commitment to most of the activities was fairly minimal, maybe an hour or two a month at most.

Good news! The common app makes applicants calculate how many hours per week, how many weeks a year, and how many years (high school only).

Yes, but self reported and people will inflate and lie.

College can tell when kids inflate their hours. It’s not worth it to do something that causes them to discount the entire application. Plus good rec. letters can verify some of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Professional actor (union status, national award), 4 yrs
All state + regional award in music performance, 4 yrs
Regional award in music composition, 4 yrs
3 years F/W varsity sport, Capt
4 years club, Pres
Bunch of honor societies + tutoring/activities they require, 2-3 yrs
Church volunteering, 4 yrs
Served on local arts board, 1 yr
Tutoring (paid), 3 yrs
School ambassador, 1 yr

Seems like a lot, but some if these were more time consuming (sport/music perf) than others (music comp, arts board, ambassador).

How did they have time for acting and a sport?. I was an actor and could not have fit in a sport because of the regular attendance requirement (practices, games) would interfere with acting. Not doubting. Just curious how they work that out.

Acting was sporadic -- most pro work was before soph year when she started the sport. Also, did acting during off sport times (Spring/summer) and virtual projects during covid. Short answer: juggling!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my daughter’s list. She is a lot more motivated than I am!

Fall/Spring sports all 4 years, plus winter training
Volunteers 2x month doing food distribution
Foster kittens (lots of time involved in this)
Member of a county wide board
Social media manager for one club
President of Model UN
Secretary for another club
Tutoring through English Honor Society
Member of a few other clubs
Works part time
Volunteers for student government projects at school
Member of a district wide advisory committee.

Wow! My DC will have a much smaller list. The main activity demands 16-20 hours a week year round. There just isn’t enough time with school in the way. :p

I think colleges looking at a list like pp’s will tend to assume her commitment to most of the activities was fairly minimal, maybe an hour or two a month at most.

Good news! The common app makes applicants calculate how many hours per week, how many weeks a year, and how many years (high school only).

Maybe but they'll catch on when a kid (like previous poster's) says she does extracurriculars for 40 hours a week.
Yes, but self reported and people will inflate and lie.

DP. I don't see pp saying 40hrs anywhere but could have missed it.

I would say mine spent 25-40 hours/week between all the extra stuff. Not always the same schedule, but, yeah, pretty much that amount. Did love some of the activities, but definitely dealt with anxiety issues between the amount, the feeling like something always needed more (and the unwillingness to drop more). Hoping they can relax more in college!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Professional actor (union status, national award), 4 yrs
All state + regional award in music performance, 4 yrs
Regional award in music composition, 4 yrs
3 years F/W varsity sport, Capt
4 years club, Pres
Bunch of honor societies + tutoring/activities they require, 2-3 yrs
Church volunteering, 4 yrs
Served on local arts board, 1 yr
Tutoring (paid), 3 yrs
School ambassador, 1 yr

Seems like a lot, but some if these were more time consuming (sport/music perf) than others (music comp, arts board, ambassador).

How did they have time for acting and a sport?. I was an actor and could not have fit in a sport because of the regular attendance requirement (practices, games) would interfere with acting. Not doubting. Just curious how they work that out.

A good friend in HS had very similar ECs (got into Tish at NYU, Yale, and USC among others). My friend ended up running (xc, track) multiple seasons because it's easier to make up a workout then it is to make up a practice and she didn't need to worry about getting benched for missing practices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my daughter’s list. She is a lot more motivated than I am!

Fall/Spring sports all 4 years, plus winter training
Volunteers 2x month doing food distribution
Foster kittens (lots of time involved in this)
Member of a county wide board
Social media manager for one club
President of Model UN
Secretary for another club
Tutoring through English Honor Society
Member of a few other clubs
Works part time
Volunteers for student government projects at school
Member of a district wide advisory committee.

If I were reviewing this girl for admissions to a university, I would think she was a Jack-of-all-trades. Probably very good at anything she tries, but doesn’t seem to show a particular passion or focus. That could backfire for college admissions unless she can tie these things together to show some passion and focus. Maybe she has done so and it just doesn’t show here in this list.

[Anonymous]

DC is STEM-focused, but mostly plays club volleyball on weekdays and works home construction (think HW flooring installation, residential wiring, etc…) on weekends during the school years. In the summers, DC works typical jobs and internships. Recently just completed a summer internship at Porsche, working on upgrades for the regenerative charging system on the next-gen Taycan. DC has two patents pending from that work and a solid letter of recommendation from the President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my daughter’s list. She is a lot more motivated than I am!

Fall/Spring sports all 4 years, plus winter training
Volunteers 2x month doing food distribution
Foster kittens (lots of time involved in this)
Member of a county wide board
Social media manager for one club
President of Model UN
Secretary for another club
Tutoring through English Honor Society
Member of a few other clubs
Works part time
Volunteers for student government projects at school
Member of a district wide advisory committee.

If I were reviewing this girl for admissions to a university, I would think she was a Jack-of-all-trades. Probably very good at anything she tries, but doesn’t seem to show a particular passion or focus. That could backfire for college admissions unless she can tie these things together to show some passion and focus. Maybe she has done so and it just doesn’t show here in this list.

What’s wrong with you? Seriously.

And yes, there is a common theme to the part time work, volunteering, three of the clubs, the advisory board, county board and student government. But even if there wasn’t, what’s the point of tearing the list down? Do you feel better about yourself?

[Anonymous]

I noticed every other kid at my child’s high school founding a business or nonprofit or writing a book. At first, I didn’t know this was being done to get into college. Since so many are doing this—and then never touching that business or nonprofit after gaining college acceptance—I am not sure what is truly remarkable anymore. In fact, I’m skeptical.

My own kid is VP of a club, PT job, camp counselor, varsity for 4 years, club sport and other things. Many here would say that’s unremarkable. My kid also has hobbies for which they have not sought awards.

The above doesn’t tell the whole story. There are no national awards for comforting a scared camper, defending a friend against bullies, or dealing with immature/angry adults in their job in a patient and polite way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed every other kid at my child’s high school founding a business or nonprofit or writing a book. At first, I didn’t know this was being done to get into college. Since so many are doing this—and then never touching that business or nonprofit after gaining college acceptance—I am not sure what is truly remarkable anymore. In fact, I’m skeptical.

My own kid is VP of a club, PT job, camp counselor, varsity for 4 years, club sport and other things. Many here would say that’s unremarkable. My kid also has hobbies for which they have not sought awards.

[b]The above doesn’t tell the whole story. There are no national awards for comforting a scared camper, defending a friend against bullies, or dealing with immature/angry adults in their job in a patient and polite way.

The essay is the best way to show these!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is STEM-focused, but mostly plays club volleyball on weekdays and works home construction (think HW flooring installation, residential wiring, etc…) on weekends during the school years. In the summers, DC works typical jobs and internships. Recently just completed a summer internship at Porsche, working on upgrades for the regenerative charging system on the next-gen Taycan. DC has two patents pending from that work and a solid letter of recommendation from the President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

Nice!!! I really want a Taycan. I might be driving with your kid’s tech some day. Fun.

[Anonymous]

Varsity sport 3y (freshman year was the COVID year and the sport wasn't offered)
Club sport x 2y
National Honor Society (don't induct freshman)
Spanish National Honor Society 2y
Volunteering about 120 hours in a year coaching a rec league
Summer job x3 years (35 hrs/week)

The sport, volunteering, and the summer job had the most commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my daughter’s list. She is a lot more motivated than I am!

Fall/Spring sports all 4 years, plus winter training
Volunteers 2x month doing food distribution
Foster kittens (lots of time involved in this)
Member of a county wide board
Social media manager for one club
President of Model UN
Secretary for another club
Tutoring through English Honor Society
Member of a few other clubs
Works part time
Volunteers for student government projects at school
Member of a district wide advisory committee.

Wow! My DC will have a much smaller list. The main activity demands 16-20 hours a week year round. There just isn’t enough time with school in the way. :p

I think colleges looking at a list like pp’s will tend to assume her commitment to most of the activities was fairly minimal, maybe an hour or two a month at most.

Ah. Good to know. With 4 hour practices after school most days, there isn't a lot of time left in the week.

[Anonymous]

I like this thread. My DD is stuck on activities and awards on her common app, even though she’s done a lot in and out of school. This will help her “remember” some of the things she did over the past three years.