Why are extracurriculars so hard to join in college now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have said this in other threads. I used to be a banker at a bulge bracket and did some recruiting. I despise these pre-professional clubs. I think they are ponzi schemes full of insufferable suck-ups and feel like clubs. If I was still in my old role, I would steer far away from most of these kids.

As a senior level engineer who does some recruiting, I agree with this. Maybe not "steer far away", but 'less impressed than what people who are running the clubs would think'...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have said this in other threads. I used to be a banker at a bulge bracket and did some recruiting. I despise these pre-professional clubs. I think they are ponzi schemes full of insufferable suck-ups and feel like clubs. If I was still in my old role, I would steer far away from most of these kids.

Unfortunately, I think the banks and consulting firms have created this monster. They increasingly give specialized interviews so the institutional knowledge of the clubs in helping you prepare for those is very valuable. And given how many resumes they are getting they use these as a pre-screen.

If the banks and consulting firms signaled to the schools that they don't care about the clubs by hiring non-club members, it would go a long way.

I worked on my daily college newspaper at a TT school without a journalism program, so most people were doing it for fun. I had an incredible experience and made lifelong friends. We generally took anyone, though we "encouraged" those with more talent to get more involved. Companies across all industries, including top tier investment banks and consulting firms, loved the experience, though that is not why we did it.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have said this in other threads. I used to be a banker at a bulge bracket and did some recruiting. I despise these pre-professional clubs. I think they are ponzi schemes full of insufferable suck-ups and feel like clubs. If I was still in my old role, I would steer far away from most of these kids.

Unfortunately, I think the banks and consulting firms have created this monster. They increasingly give specialized interviews so the institutional knowledge of the clubs in helping you prepare for those is very valuable. And given how many resumes they are getting they use these as a pre-screen.

If the banks and consulting firms signaled to the schools that they don't care about the clubs by hiring non-club members, it would go a long way.

I worked on my daily college newspaper at a TT school without a journalism program, so most people were doing it for fun. I had an incredible experience and made lifelong friends. We generally took anyone, though we "encouraged" those with more talent to get more involved. Companies across all industries, including top tier investment banks and consulting firms, loved the experience, though that is not why we did it.

+1

I only just heard of these clubs when reading about the student reaction to the Harvard grade inflation report, but I tend to agree that college should be mostly about academics, social life, and activities that are done because they're fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of clubs at my son's school have an interview process and the sports teams have cuts.

He tried to join 4 clubs. Got into 2.
One, a sport, had over a hundred kids try out for 30 spots. Didn't make the team. Tried to join an investment club and didn't get an interview. The VP only got in as a second semester Junior. They invest 2 million. So, kind of a big deal. He didn't realize that it is the hardest club to get into. Got into a business fraternity. Also, didn't realize it was a tough one to join. Loves it. It has been awesome for him so far. Lastly, joined a club associated with his major. They took everyone.

Another example, he would love to join the pickle ball club but he feels that he isn't good enough. Even though he says he is a very good player for someone with a non-tennis background.

Has he tried? Are there intramural or pick up pickle ball games? Club is not the only option at most schools.

He plays socially with his friends and occasionally plays pick up. That is sort of his level at the moment. It is one of his "activities" that he does on a regular informal basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of clubs at my son's school have an interview process and the sports teams have cuts.

He tried to join 4 clubs. Got into 2.
One, a sport, had over a hundred kids try out for 30 spots. Didn't make the team. Tried to join an investment club and didn't get an interview. The VP only got in as a second semester Junior. They invest 2 million. So, kind of a big deal. He didn't realize that it is the hardest club to get into. Got into a business fraternity. Also, didn't realize it was a tough one to join. Loves it. It has been awesome for him so far. Lastly, joined a club associated with his major. They took everyone.

Another example, he would love to join the pickle ball club but he feels that he isn't good enough. Even though he says he is a very good player for someone with a non-tennis background.

Where does that money come from? I had assumed "investment club" meant talking about stocks or making model portfolios!

[Anonymous]

Remember that there are tiers of sports. Club sports still travel for intercollegiate competition. It's like JV at a D1.

Intermural sports are for anyone regardless of skill level.

You might not remember this from when you were in college, but it was the same for us. My brother was a club rower and he had to compete for that spot. It was a big deal!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have said this in other threads. I used to be a banker at a bulge bracket and did some recruiting. I despise these pre-professional clubs. I think they are ponzi schemes full of insufferable suck-ups and feel like clubs. If I was still in my old role, I would steer far away from most of these kids.

Unfortunately, I think the banks and consulting firms have created this monster. They increasingly give specialized interviews so the institutional knowledge of the clubs in helping you prepare for those is very valuable. And given how many resumes they are getting they use these as a pre-screen.

If the banks and consulting firms signaled to the schools that they don't care about the clubs by hiring non-club members, it would go a long way.

I worked on my daily college newspaper at a TT school without a journalism program, so most people were doing it for fun. I had an incredible experience and made lifelong friends. We generally took anyone, though we "encouraged" those with more talent to get more involved. Companies across all industries, including top tier investment banks and consulting firms, loved the experience, though that is not why we did it.

+1 On all points, both that these clubs are college hunger games cos play but also on the unfortunate point about being helpful to prep kids for interviews etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of clubs at my son's school have an interview process and the sports teams have cuts.

He tried to join 4 clubs. Got into 2.
One, a sport, had over a hundred kids try out for 30 spots. Didn't make the team. Tried to join an investment club and didn't get an interview. The VP only got in as a second semester Junior. They invest 2 million. So, kind of a big deal. He didn't realize that it is the hardest club to get into. Got into a business fraternity. Also, didn't realize it was a tough one to join. Loves it. It has been awesome for him so far. Lastly, joined a club associated with his major. They took everyone.

Another example, he would love to join the pickle ball club but he feels that he isn't good enough. Even though he says he is a very good player for someone with a non-tennis background.

Has he tried? Are there intramural or pick up pickle ball games? Club is not the only option at most schools.

He plays socially with his friends and occasionally plays pick up. That is sort of his level at the moment. It is one of his "activities" that he does on a regular informal basis.

That sounds great! It's really healthy for kids to have ECs and activities at all levels of commitment and effort. Not everything needs to be at the organized club level. Sounds like he's navigating all of this really well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you actually DO at the business/finance/consulting clubs? Is it like pretend work projects? Serious question, I did not have this at my college.

And couldn't it be more valuable to just get a job, even a low-wage service sector job for your resume?

Paragraph 1, yes.

Paragraph 2, no, why would you think it would?


Here's the secret: networking sales based employers like Consulting hire people who are good at network and sales, which is proved by talking your way into exclusive clubs.

[Anonymous]

Harvard has at least 9 a capella clubs
https://harvardacappella.github.io/statement/

Harvard has 25 Engineering clubs
https://seas.harvard.edu/applied-mathematics/clubs-organizations

Give it a rest. There are plenty of opportunities.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t join any clubs in college. Just hung out with my friends. It’s not a requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have said this in other threads. I used to be a banker at a bulge bracket and did some recruiting. I despise these pre-professional clubs. I think they are ponzi schemes full of insufferable suck-ups and feel like clubs. If I was still in my old role, I would steer far away from most of these kids.

Unfortunately, I think the banks and consulting firms have created this monster. They increasingly give specialized interviews so the institutional knowledge of the clubs in helping you prepare for those is very valuable. And given how many resumes they are getting they use these as a pre-screen.

If the banks and consulting firms signaled to the schools that they don't care about the clubs by hiring non-club members, it would go a long way.

I worked on my daily college newspaper at a TT school without a journalism program, so most people were doing it for fun. I had an incredible experience and made lifelong friends. We generally took anyone, though we "encouraged" those with more talent to get more involved. Companies across all industries, including top tier investment banks and consulting firms, loved the experience, though that is not why we did it.

+1 On all points, both that these clubs are college hunger games cos play but also on the unfortunate point about being helpful to prep kids for interviews etc.

Why pretend that pursuing a career at a top investment bank is anything other than hunger games? It's not for everyone. if it is for you then get in there and play the hunger games in college.

[Anonymous]

How does Duke not have club sports cuts? Do they really take 200 kids or as many apply to a club soccer or basketball game out-of-town?

Can a Duke parent address this?

My child is at Dartmouth and even then club basketball had deep cuts. A basketball team plays 5 players. 100 tried out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs are open to anyone. It's just that people make a ton of noise when they encounter the ones that have a tryout/application/etc.

Not true for Greek life and club sports

Again, MOST clubs are open to anyone. SOME have a tryout or application.

Clearly, for a club sport, you have to show some talent or aptitude. Same for anything that requires performances or competitions.

Greek life doesn't even count because we all know practices differ from place to place. At some schools, you're guaranteed a spot IF you fully participate and fill out all the ranking spots.

But what if it's your first time trying the sport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have said this in other threads. I used to be a banker at a bulge bracket and did some recruiting. I despise these pre-professional clubs. I think they are ponzi schemes full of insufferable suck-ups and feel like clubs. If I was still in my old role, I would steer far away from most of these kids.

Unfortunately, I think the banks and consulting firms have created this monster. They increasingly give specialized interviews so the institutional knowledge of the clubs in helping you prepare for those is very valuable. And given how many resumes they are getting they use these as a pre-screen.

If the banks and consulting firms signaled to the schools that they don't care about the clubs by hiring non-club members, it would go a long way.

I worked on my daily college newspaper at a TT school without a journalism program, so most people were doing it for fun. I had an incredible experience and made lifelong friends. We generally took anyone, though we "encouraged" those with more talent to get more involved. Companies across all industries, including top tier investment banks and consulting firms, loved the experience, though that is not why we did it.

+1 On all points, both that these clubs are college hunger games cos play but also on the unfortunate point about being helpful to prep kids for interviews etc.

Why pretend that pursuing a career at a top investment bank is anything other than hunger games? It's not for everyone. if it is for you then get in there and play the hunger games in college.

+1. The hunger games are only going to want to choose people who like playing hunger games.