I've been hearing a lot about EC's being super important in the college admission process. But I'm not exactly clear on what EC's are? Are these extracurricular activities? If so, what kind should I focus on to have a solid application?
Yes, EC's stands for extracurricular activities, and they play an important role in college applications. EC's encompass a broad array of activities ranging from sports, clubs, volunteer work, jobs or internships, and even personal hobbies.
Why are EC's important? They offer an opportunity for colleges to understand you beyond your academics – who you are, what you're passionate about, and how you spend your time outside of the classroom. They can showcase your accomplishments, leadership skills, initiative, enthusiasm, interests, and desire to contribute to a community.
Now, regarding the kind of EC's to focus on, quality over quantity is the preferred approach. Top colleges usually look for students who have shown dedication, commitment, and increasing responsibility over a period of time in their chosen activities. This "depth over breadth" approach is seen as a positive indicator of a student's potential success in college and beyond.
Moreover, colleges often appreciate a "spike" in an applicant's profile, a highly-developed specialty in a specific area, rather than a "well-rounded" list of interests. This means you should ideally pursue the EC's that you're most passionate about and in which you can showcase and develop your talents or skills.
Just to clarify, here's a breakdown of EC's into four tiers which may help you to focus:
1. Tier 1: Rare and exceptional achievements at the national or international level, like winning a national art award.
2. Tier 2: High achievements and leadership at the state or regional level, like being student body president or a state orchestra player.
3. Tier 3: Demonstrates active involvement and interest, but lacks the distinction of Tier1 and2, like leading a local club or being a sports team captain.
4. Tier 4: General participation in a club or athletics or common volunteering opportunities.
As you can see, EC's add depth to your application, presenting a broader perspective of you as a candidate. Remember that your EC's should ideally reflect your genuine interests and passions, as having a well-structured narrative about who you are and what you want to achieve can potentially make a significant impact on your application.
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