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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I wonder if the competitive preprof college clubs really matter? My kid is starting at penn and club applications and interviews sound very time consuming... during a time when kids are just settling in. I dont really understand the benefit of and high demand for preprof clubs. Do they provide a real advantage in the future job search or not? [b]Wondering if they can/should avoid those clubs and focus time on studies, meeting people and finding some fun activities/orgs to join. [/b]Would appreciate any thoughts/experience on this topic... [/quote]

They likely need both the social aspect and the pre-professional aspect and it could be the same or different clubs that provide it.  Both of my kids met their future roommates and friend group from their clubs.  My older one is in one connected with their major that also has a social aspect with formals, community service etc. and my younger is in more of a social /activity based one where you can be a general member without needing to apply and as long as you pay your dues you can go to the social events and main activity.  You can also decide to try out for the competitive teams for that activity.

The challenge when looking for internships etc, it’s tough to get that first internship in your field if you don’t have a connection and you don’t have any applied experience or any recent leadership/examples of working effectively with teams. Sometimes kids will have project based work in class that they can highlight and group projects experiences on how they have handled different situations.  I’ve also seen kids gain some of that experience by joining a club that wasn’t competitive and is something they enjoy and then working on the team or getting a leadership role in something that relates to their major as part of that club.  I would also add sometimes, it stands out when someone has an interest that might be on the opposite end of what they study.  If I am screening 50 resumes for am intern, an interesting activity won’t make up for lack of experience or fit but it will help them stand out of everyone is qualified on paper and they all have the same activities.[/quote]

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