don't care if you join things in your last two years of high school. I am about to join the tennis team and newspaper staff (for my junior year). I want to get into a competitive school (either Columbia or NYU), but I'm wondering if joining is a waste of time.
2006-08-11 09:55:37 · 8 answers · asked by Mandirella 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
it's not a waste of time, but simply adding ECs to your academic resume isn't going to "wow" adcoms. They want to see you committed to a single (or small group) of activities. Anyone can spread themselves thin over a large group of activities. It takes more determined individuals to commit to a single activity and try to do the best they can at the activity. Be it football or choir. Leadership is a quality that most highly regarded universities look for.
So, to answer your question, I think that it wouldn't hurt to join some activities, but it's not going to make up for 2 years of doing nothing, either.
What really concerns me is that you think that joining the activities, if not looked upon favorably by adcoms, will be a waste of time. I've worked with a lot of students that share this same attitude. I can tell you that a Columbia reader won't be amazed that you joined a bunch of activities in your junior year, did little but "do" the activities, and then applied to their school. There are a lot of really gifted kids out there that have been dedicated to a single or core group of activities since they were young. You'll be competing against those kids.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade, not at all. it's just that I've not only gone through this process, I've helped many other HS students, too. Joining an activity just to put it on your application *is* a waste of time. Joining an activity because you like it is not.
2006-08-11 10:00:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Joining a club at any time be a plus for college admission. Joining the newspaper and tennis team would only be a waste of time if you didn't like tennis and journalism.
2006-08-11 17:01:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
very true. I am in my senior year of college, but it wasn't until my senior year of high school that I got involved in jazz band, year book, drama club, and school paper. Those particular colleges do look at extra currics but the care about your grades more and your volunteer hours. It's never a waste of time to do anything if you enjoy it
2006-08-11 17:01:52 · answer #3 · answered by Elora 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not true.
You should defiantly be part of different activties, not only does it look good on college applications but it is also helpful when applying for jobs (partime or otherwise).
2006-08-11 17:13:39 · answer #4 · answered by Chr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only semester they really don't care about is after you have been accepted and are entering your last semester of high school - then they only want you to maintain a c average - until then get involved as much as you can
2006-08-11 17:01:07 · answer #5 · answered by Brian 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as you show a lot of commitment to the activity
2006-08-11 17:04:20 · answer #6 · answered by ginko202 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you can never join too late.
2006-08-11 17:00:58 · answer #7 · answered by queenoftheoakies 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not true - they are interested in seeing that you are well rounded and serious.
2006-08-11 17:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by M S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋