If every kid is doing the same damn EC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that's why the way there is an "art" to deciding which ECs to even mention.

See this list...the dog-walking is genius. (from earlier post here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1234225.page)


https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/common-app-activities-list/

Below, you’ll find an Example Common Application Activities List!
This fictional student demonstrates a strong hook in environmental science and art.

Her hook is conveyed through an impressive mix of in-school extracurriculars, out-of-school activities, summer activities, and hobbies. Not only has she pursued multiple activities in both environmental science and art, but she has also found and studied creative intersections between these fields, through painting murals at local gardens, featuring and selling her nature photography on her personal social media, and studying environmental art at a summer program.

By reading her Activities List, admissions officers would be able to envision her continuing to explore these intersections as an undergraduate, as well as contributing to sustainability initiatives and artistic projects and clubs on campus.

Through this highly descriptive and well-crafted Activities List, admissions officers can glean this prospective student’s important priorities and some of her salient characteristics. This student is creatively-minded, self-driven, capable of leading groups and teams, and interested in community-building. It is clear that as a student in NYC, she has taken advantage of the extensive resources at her disposal–universities, museums, nonprofits, and even her own apartment complex–in order to contribute to her community and explore her passions from multiple angles. Lastly, the fact that this student is an accomplished student-athlete speaks to her ability to manage her time effectively and develop an impressive and diverse variety of skills.

Admissions officers always look to see whether a student’s selections for their intended majors align with their hook and Activities List, and in this case, this Activities List would best complement an intended double-major in Environmental Science and Studio Art. Because this student also has an entrepreneurial streak, she could optionally indicate a secondary interest in business if a school offers dual degrees, majors, or minors in business administration for undergraduates. It is helpful to be aware that consistency across every part of the application, from coursework and letters of recommendation to the Activities List, intended majors, and essays, is necessary for building a cohesive narrative.

Activities
Environmental
10, 11, 12
Year
4 hr/wk, 52 wk/yr
Continue

Founder, The Cactus Swap Project NYC
Build community with over 1,000 cactus-lovers in NYC. Share info about plant sales, swaps, and propagation. Hosted planting workshops at 8 schools.
Environmental
10, 11, 12
School
8 hr/wk, 25 wk/yr
Continue

President, Average HS Green Club
Organized inaugural Green Week with themed activities and prizes. Convinced school admin to implement meatless Mondays. Host weekly meetings, trips.
Research
11
Break
35 hr/wk, 8 wk/yr
Continue

Research Intern, Local University
Collected data on health and resilience of trees in NYC saltwater marshes after flooding events. Recommended species and locations for replanting.
Athletics: JV or Varsity
9, 10, 11, 12
School
16 hr/wk, 18 wk/yr
Continue

Co-Captain and Setter, Average HS Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
Individually nominated for AVCA All-American Awards and won Average HS’s Spirit Award. Team placed 1st in division and advanced to state semifinals.
Community Service (Volunteer)
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 26 wk/yr
Continue

Volunteer and Muralist, Beautiful Gardens Nonprofit
Create public art installations including murals and sculptures in community gardens. Designed rooftop herb garden installation for restaurant.
Community Service (Volunteer)
10
Break
6 hr/wk, 8 wk/yr
Continue

Volunteer, Major Urban Art Museum
Greet and direct visitors at information desk and coat check. Work shifts at gift shop and assist customers with check out and locating merchandise.
Art
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 52 wk/yr
Continue

Painter and Photographer, @StudentName on Instagram and Etsy
Create art (paintings, portrait photography, nature photography) and exhibit on personal Instagram. Sell prints and stickers with $500+ in profits.
Art
10
Break
35 hr/wk, 3 wk/yr
Continue

Participant, State University’s Summer Environmental Art Institute
Studied intersections of art and environmental activism. Created multimedia portfolio of 5 works under guidance of professional artist First Last.
Work (Paid)
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
4 hr/wk, 45 wk/yr
Continue

Owner, Dog-Walking Business
Run dog-walking service with my siblings for neighbors in apartment complex.
Student Govt./Politics
11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 36 wk/yr
Continue

Class Representative, Average HS Student Government
Elected by peers as 1 of 4 class reps. Create and print posters to promote events, design and order class spiritwear, manage social media.

I found this comical.
A lot of activities in the list are marshmallow fluff.
Greeting visitors at a front desk has nothing to do with environmental.
designed a rooftop herb garden? minimally relevant
dog walking?

If I am AO, I don't see this fictional applicant to be serious about environmental studies. I can immediately see through this "narrative" and find a person who is unmotivated to look deeper into the subject matter.

Normal relatable high school students should have some marshmallow fluff. Lighten up a bit.

No. I saw that the source of this fictional student is from Command Education, a counseling service from nyc. It's just not good advice.
The fictional student could engage in really basic activities, e.g., through independent studies. For example, spend some time in the summer to look at the waste in the city. If she took Chemistry, she could check water quality in local community. These are normal high school student activities. In Command Education's example, it's all marshmallow fluff, no substance.

WTF. She's an art student. Your strategy would make her a STEM student.
Auto failure in T20 admissions.
You have NO idea what you are talking about. and don't understand how AO think.

Art student? T20? Are you fxxking serious? With her fictional art accomplishment, it's an auto-reject in any of the T20s if she applied as an "art student." lol

You’re an idiot. Some of the best art programs are at T20 schools—Yale and CMU.

You need to take a chill pill. Of course T20 have some of the best art programs, very hard to get in. The problem is her fictional art accomplishment is not enough for any of the T20 art program admission.

Neither is testing water quality! The problem is that we’re arguing over a fictional person. Just let your kid be themselves, even if their activities seem a little fluffy. Even if they only have “1990s style” activities. Stop paying people to polish your little turds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that's why the way there is an "art" to deciding which ECs to even mention.

See this list...the dog-walking is genius. (from earlier post here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1234225.page)


https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/common-app-activities-list/

Below, you’ll find an Example Common Application Activities List!
This fictional student demonstrates a strong hook in environmental science and art.

Her hook is conveyed through an impressive mix of in-school extracurriculars, out-of-school activities, summer activities, and hobbies. Not only has she pursued multiple activities in both environmental science and art, but she has also found and studied creative intersections between these fields, through painting murals at local gardens, featuring and selling her nature photography on her personal social media, and studying environmental art at a summer program.

By reading her Activities List, admissions officers would be able to envision her continuing to explore these intersections as an undergraduate, as well as contributing to sustainability initiatives and artistic projects and clubs on campus.

Through this highly descriptive and well-crafted Activities List, admissions officers can glean this prospective student’s important priorities and some of her salient characteristics. This student is creatively-minded, self-driven, capable of leading groups and teams, and interested in community-building. It is clear that as a student in NYC, she has taken advantage of the extensive resources at her disposal–universities, museums, nonprofits, and even her own apartment complex–in order to contribute to her community and explore her passions from multiple angles. Lastly, the fact that this student is an accomplished student-athlete speaks to her ability to manage her time effectively and develop an impressive and diverse variety of skills.

Admissions officers always look to see whether a student’s selections for their intended majors align with their hook and Activities List, and in this case, this Activities List would best complement an intended double-major in Environmental Science and Studio Art. Because this student also has an entrepreneurial streak, she could optionally indicate a secondary interest in business if a school offers dual degrees, majors, or minors in business administration for undergraduates. It is helpful to be aware that consistency across every part of the application, from coursework and letters of recommendation to the Activities List, intended majors, and essays, is necessary for building a cohesive narrative.

Activities
Environmental
10, 11, 12
Year
4 hr/wk, 52 wk/yr
Continue

Founder, The Cactus Swap Project NYC
Build community with over 1,000 cactus-lovers in NYC. Share info about plant sales, swaps, and propagation. Hosted planting workshops at 8 schools.
Environmental
10, 11, 12
School
8 hr/wk, 25 wk/yr
Continue

President, Average HS Green Club
Organized inaugural Green Week with themed activities and prizes. Convinced school admin to implement meatless Mondays. Host weekly meetings, trips.
Research
11
Break
35 hr/wk, 8 wk/yr
Continue

Research Intern, Local University
Collected data on health and resilience of trees in NYC saltwater marshes after flooding events. Recommended species and locations for replanting.
Athletics: JV or Varsity
9, 10, 11, 12
School
16 hr/wk, 18 wk/yr
Continue

Co-Captain and Setter, Average HS Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
Individually nominated for AVCA All-American Awards and won Average HS’s Spirit Award. Team placed 1st in division and advanced to state semifinals.
Community Service (Volunteer)
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 26 wk/yr
Continue

Volunteer and Muralist, Beautiful Gardens Nonprofit
Create public art installations including murals and sculptures in community gardens. Designed rooftop herb garden installation for restaurant.
Community Service (Volunteer)
10
Break
6 hr/wk, 8 wk/yr
Continue

Volunteer, Major Urban Art Museum
Greet and direct visitors at information desk and coat check. Work shifts at gift shop and assist customers with check out and locating merchandise.
Art
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 52 wk/yr
Continue

Painter and Photographer, @StudentName on Instagram and Etsy
Create art (paintings, portrait photography, nature photography) and exhibit on personal Instagram. Sell prints and stickers with $500+ in profits.
Art
10
Break
35 hr/wk, 3 wk/yr
Continue

Participant, State University’s Summer Environmental Art Institute
Studied intersections of art and environmental activism. Created multimedia portfolio of 5 works under guidance of professional artist First Last.
Work (Paid)
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
4 hr/wk, 45 wk/yr
Continue

Owner, Dog-Walking Business
Run dog-walking service with my siblings for neighbors in apartment complex.
Student Govt./Politics
11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 36 wk/yr
Continue

Class Representative, Average HS Student Government
Elected by peers as 1 of 4 class reps. Create and print posters to promote events, design and order class spiritwear, manage social media.

I found this comical.
A lot of activities in the list are marshmallow fluff.
Greeting visitors at a front desk has nothing to do with environmental.
designed a rooftop herb garden? minimally relevant
dog walking?

If I am AO, I don't see this fictional applicant to be serious about environmental studies. I can immediately see through this "narrative" and find a person who is unmotivated to look deeper into the subject matter.

Normal relatable high school students should have some marshmallow fluff. Lighten up a bit.

No. I saw that the source of this fictional student is from Command Education, a counseling service from nyc. It's just not good advice.
The fictional student could engage in really basic activities, e.g., through independent studies. For example, spend some time in the summer to look at the waste in the city. If she took Chemistry, she could check water quality in local community. These are normal high school student activities. In Command Education's example, it's all marshmallow fluff, no substance.

WTF. She's an art student. Your strategy would make her a STEM student.
Auto failure in T20 admissions.
You have NO idea what you are talking about. and don't understand how AO think.

Art student? T20? Are you fxxking serious? With her fictional art accomplishment, it's an auto-reject in any of the T20s if she applied as an "art student." lol

You’re an idiot. Some of the best art programs are at T20 schools—Yale and CMU.

You need to take a chill pill. Of course T20 have some of the best art programs, very hard to get in. The problem is her fictional art accomplishment is not enough for any of the T20 art program admission.

Neither is testing water quality! The problem is that we’re arguing over a fictional person. Just let your kid be themselves, even if their activities seem a little fluffy. Even if they only have “1990s style” activities. Stop paying people to polish your little turds.

I am against paying counseling service for fluffy advice! I am not using one.
Plus, testing water quality is very “1990s style”!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly wonder at this point if the way to stand out in all this dreck is just to have normal 1990s type high school activities.

Honestly, imagine reading through 100 "curated" apps and coming across a kid who reffed soccer games and worked at an ice cream store. Breath of fresh air.

[Anonymous]

What about church stuff? Write it or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about church stuff? Write it or not?

My daughter is very spiritual and devout. She isn't writing solely about "church stuff." But her essays are sprinkled with aspects about her faith. Might be a turnoff for some schools, but so be it.

[Anonymous]

Here is what made my kid stand out. She had a choice - to give credit to the right people and not get credit herself. Or to give credit to the wrong people and hope to get a leadership position in the club.

While most kids would probably do the latter, my kid did the former. Teachers and counselors realized what was up without anyone saying a word…she received best of career recommendations from them as they were the people who deserved credit for the idea. And she had given it to them before ever realizing what was up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about church stuff? Write it or not?

My daughter is very spiritual and devout. She isn't writing solely about "church stuff." But her essays are sprinkled with aspects about her faith. Might be a turnoff for some schools, but so be it.

Catholic schools love this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which EC is everyone doing?

NP: varsity sports (non-recruit), club leader, Debate/Model UN, student gov, music/band, robotics/science fair, volunteering (animal shelters, church, or hospital)

this is why winning nationals in debate is a huge, basically a golden ticket. but that's a pair of kids in the US. do you regular ol' debate is meaningful? it's not. (I mean, it is .. all these are good things for kids to develop their voice, etc but doenst matter for college)

same with music, science fair , etc

Ted Cruz was a national debate champion, and he went to an Ivy school. I doubt anyone would want to grow up and be what that guy has become now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is what made my kid stand out. She had a choice - to give credit to the right people and not get credit herself. Or to give credit to the wrong people and hope to get a leadership position in the club.

While most kids would probably do the latter, my kid did the former. Teachers and counselors realized what was up without anyone saying a word…she received best of career recommendations from them as they were the people who deserved credit for the idea. And she had given it to them before ever realizing what was up.

What school has teachers and counselors so up the kids butts and involved in the clubs that they would even realize this dynamic was occurring? Sounds like a lot of helicoptering for high school age.