Anonymous
06/19/2025 10:34
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you think even for a quirky hobby it should still somehow related to DC’s narratives? Like building a wild life habitat if you’re pursuing ecology major? Or tropical fish at home if the intended major is marine biology?
No, I wouldn't. That looks "over curated" - and could signal parental management, etc. Look on admityogi.com for how many successful kids do it.
Don't make it look like an adult resume.
Mine got nothing quirky.
Spent most free time on sports, gym, browsing.
Doodling and counting calories for every meal. But it’s pointless to list them.
art doodling? that's actually cool.
if so, i'd include that. encourage your kid to submit their art to local contests (links below).
Doodle Artist
Independent Art Practice
Create doodle art through free-form drawing sessions, exploring how wandering thoughts translate into visual stories, competing in local and national contests, like Red Bull Doodle Art, while encouraging others to embrace their own messy, imaginative creative side.
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/sketch-for-survival-competition/
https://www.blackcatmke.com/news/red-bull-doodle-contest
https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
A bit too heavy…
Way too heavy. I'd lighten it up.
Activity: Art; Doodle Art, Regional and National Competitions
Position: Mind-Wanderer Turned Competitor
Description: I used to think my constant doodling was just a bad habit, but after entering my first [Red Bull Doodle] Art contest, I learned I'd accidentally been training for something I love. [8] competitions later, still surprised I call myself an artist.
That's great if that's the way a kid's art naturally develops, but implying that a kid who doodles for joy needs to go sign up for contests, is like implying that reading only has value if you set up a book club. We've got two teenagers for whom drawing, doodling or otherwise, is a hobby and a great stress relief. They both compete in other areas, but art fills a different role for them. Turning it from a relaxed hobby that gives them balance and stress release, to a competitive endeavor would ruin it.
Did they include something light-hearted like this in the common app activities?
Anonymous
06/19/2025 10:32
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you think even for a quirky hobby it should still somehow related to DC’s narratives? Like building a wild life habitat if you’re pursuing ecology major? Or tropical fish at home if the intended major is marine biology?
No, I wouldn't. That looks "over curated" - and could signal parental management, etc. Look on admityogi.com for how many successful kids do it.
Don't make it look like an adult resume.
Mine got nothing quirky.
Spent most free time on sports, gym, browsing.
Doodling and counting calories for every meal. But it’s pointless to list them.
art doodling? that's actually cool.
if so, i'd include that. encourage your kid to submit their art to local contests (links below).
Doodle Artist
Independent Art Practice
Create doodle art through free-form drawing sessions, exploring how wandering thoughts translate into visual stories, competing in local and national contests, like Red Bull Doodle Art, while encouraging others to embrace their own messy, imaginative creative side.
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/sketch-for-survival-competition/
https://www.blackcatmke.com/news/red-bull-doodle-contest
https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
A bit too heavy…
Way too heavy. I'd lighten it up.
Activity: Art; Doodle Art, Regional and National Competitions
Position: Mind-Wanderer Turned Competitor
Description: I used to think my constant doodling was just a bad habit, but after entering my first [Red Bull Doodle] Art contest, I learned I'd accidentally been training for something I love. [8] competitions later, still surprised I call myself an artist.
That's great if that's the way a kid's art naturally develops, but implying that a kid who doodles for joy needs to go sign up for contests, is like implying that reading only has value if you set up a book club. We've got two teenagers for whom drawing, doodling or otherwise, is a hobby and a great stress relief. They both compete in other areas, but art fills a different role for them. Turning it from a relaxed hobby that gives them balance and stress release, to a competitive endeavor would ruin it.
Anonymous
06/19/2025 10:28
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Sad and weird vibes in this thread.
Anonymous
06/19/2025 10:26
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you think even for a quirky hobby it should still somehow related to DC’s narratives? Like building a wild life habitat if you’re pursuing ecology major? Or tropical fish at home if the intended major is marine biology?
No, I wouldn't. That looks "over curated" - and could signal parental management, etc. Look on admityogi.com for how many successful kids do it.
Don't make it look like an adult resume.
Mine got nothing quirky.
Spent most free time on sports, gym, browsing.
Doodling and counting calories for every meal. But it’s pointless to list them.
art doodling? that's actually cool.
if so, i'd include that. encourage your kid to submit their art to local contests (links below).
Doodle Artist
Independent Art Practice
Create doodle art through free-form drawing sessions, exploring how wandering thoughts translate into visual stories, competing in local and national contests, like Red Bull Doodle Art, while encouraging others to embrace their own messy, imaginative creative side.
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/sketch-for-survival-competition/
https://www.blackcatmke.com/news/red-bull-doodle-contest
https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
A bit too heavy…
Way too heavy. I'd lighten it up.
Activity: Art; Doodle Art, Regional and National Competitions
Position: Mind-Wanderer Turned Competitor
Description: I used to think my constant doodling was just a bad habit, but after entering my first [Red Bull Doodle] Art contest, I learned I'd accidentally been training for something I love. [8] competitions later, still surprised I call myself an artist.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 21:49
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:.
Anyone btdt? What hobby did your kid list?
Go ahead, it's fine. Mine listed Reading saying it had become a habit and listed example titles to demonstrate width of interests. Got into a top SLAC.
Hopefully their reading habit taught them the difference between “width” and “breadth.”
Anonymous
06/18/2025 21:47
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:.
Anyone btdt? What hobby did your kid list?
Go ahead, it's fine. Mine listed Reading saying it had become a habit and listed example titles to demonstrate width of interests. Got into a top SLAC.
Same with reading and listing a range of books. At Ivy.
Note: DS omitted many "low" priority ECs (that were common or where he didn't have a real leadership role) even though he had 4 years.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 21:43
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:My kid listed the hobbies and activities that she participates in.
+1 we did the same.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 21:40
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
What a sad thread.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 21:35
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Hobbies won't turn the dial one way or another, but can't hurt to list if there's room.
However if the 10 spaces are better served with other stuff, list the more serious stuff.
However if the 10 spaces are better served with other stuff, list the more serious stuff.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 21:20
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:.
Anyone btdt? What hobby did your kid list?
Go ahead, it's fine. Mine listed Reading saying it had become a habit and listed example titles to demonstrate width of interests. Got into a top SLAC.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 19:42
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you think even for a quirky hobby it should still somehow related to DC’s narratives? Like building a wild life habitat if you’re pursuing ecology major? Or tropical fish at home if the intended major is marine biology?
No, I wouldn't. That looks "over curated" - and could signal parental management, etc. Look on admityogi.com for how many successful kids do it.
Don't make it look like an adult resume.
Mine got nothing quirky.
Spent most free time on sports, gym, browsing.
Doodling and counting calories for every meal. But it’s pointless to list them.
art doodling? that's actually cool.
if so, i'd include that. encourage your kid to submit their art to local contests (links below).
Doodle Artist
Independent Art Practice
Create doodle art through free-form drawing sessions, exploring how wandering thoughts translate into visual stories, competing in local and national contests, like Red Bull Doodle Art, while encouraging others to embrace their own messy, imaginative creative side.
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/sketch-for-survival-competition/
https://www.blackcatmke.com/news/red-bull-doodle-contest
https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
A bit too heavy…
Anonymous
06/18/2025 19:09
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Does everyone make one of the 10 activities kind of quirky to show personality or stress hobbies?
There was one posted on this site a few weeks ago and “dog walking” was listed as one of the 10 main activities (towards the bottom of the list). I’ve been looking on Reddit and in other places for successful candidates and it looks like many people have one hobby listed.
Anyone btdt? What hobby did your kid list?
Just saw that reddit post in another thread that referenced the following hobbies as ECs:
Learning K-Pop dance moves.
Cheerleading.
Amateur meteorology (following weather models, participating in weather chat groups, and predicting storms).
All help AO envision these kids involved with countless campus clubs with a personality and genuine and varied interests.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 16:38
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes, you should absolutely list hobbies. This adds "texture" to your application. Most high stats kids are missing texture.
Example: instead of reading books put "Organized a community book club focusing on 20th-century American literature, which improved my analytical skills and fostered a local network of literary enthusiasts."
https://www.collegevine.com/faq/8559/best-way-to-list-hobbies-on-common-app#
Most kids have hobbies. The point is to personalize your kid and not make them seem like a bot.
https://empowerly.com/applications/common-app-activities-examples/
This is the stupidest thing. Who on earth thinks this type of narration is a good strategy?
Agree. I don't know any HSer who would say "fostered a local network of literary enthusiasts..." Now THAT sounds like a bot.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 15:17
Subject: Re:EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of different ways a kid can add color and personality to their common app application. Mine used all 10 of the EC boxes for ECs as she had a lot of of them, but in her essays and supplements other aspects of her personal life, summer job, were referenced. There’s no one right or wrong way to do it, that’s the blessing and the curse of holistic admissions - different kids will be seen through different lenses.
Agree 💯
Show color, personality and pizazz!!!! Passion. Interest in varying mediums.
Lots of good advice out there. I agree there’s not a right way to do this but it should feel right to the kid.
Anonymous
06/18/2025 15:14
Subject: EC listing strategy in common app
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you think even for a quirky hobby it should still somehow related to DC’s narratives? Like building a wild life habitat if you’re pursuing ecology major? Or tropical fish at home if the intended major is marine biology?
No, I wouldn't. That looks "over curated" - and could signal parental management, etc. Look on admityogi.com for how many successful kids do it.
Don't make it look like an adult resume.
Mine got nothing quirky.
Spent most free time on sports, gym, browsing.
Doodling and counting calories for every meal. But it’s pointless to list them.
art doodling? that's actually cool.
if so, i'd include that. encourage your kid to submit their art to local contests (links below).
Doodle Artist
Independent Art Practice
Create doodle art through free-form drawing sessions, exploring how wandering thoughts translate into visual stories, competing in local and national contests, like Red Bull Doodle Art, while encouraging others to embrace their own messy, imaginative creative side.
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/sketch-for-survival-competition/
https://www.blackcatmke.com/news/red-bull-doodle-contest
https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
This is satire, right?
Our college counselor suggested something similar for a niche non-EC long-term hobby (not doodling) but pretty uncommon. Instead of focusing on the act, the description focused more on the mental health benefits of the hobby.
I think it worked. At Ivy.
I don't think DS would have included if he'd written a supplemental about the hobby, though.
I really want to meet the kid whose doodling got him into an Ivy.
It wasn’t doodling. Re-read.