Extra curricular activities and clubs in highschool

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Pauly

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Hello, I am currently an incoming junior in highschool and my dream college is the Naval Academy. I have one concern though because on my freshman year, I was in 3 clubs and played 2 sports. But on my sophomore year I was in no clubs and only did sports. Since I am an incoming junior I was curious if clubs inside high school are essential for me to get in Naval Academy. My twin sister also is trying to get into Naval academy and she is in 5 clubs and she has leadership position for 4 of them and I feel that I am very much behind than her. Is there anything I can do in my junior year? I was thinking about joining all possible clubs and try to obtain an leadership position in my senior year.
 
Don’t join a a bunch of clubs just to get leadership positions. It’s disingenuous. USNA Admissions can see right through an applicant that has multiple club leadership positions. It’s normal to have a leadership positions in clubs where there is a history of continuous participation. That shows investment and experience. However, a bunch of clubs where you hold a position, but not a history in said club doesn’t usually pass the sniff test. Do a club because you have an interest in it, not for an application. Also, during interviews, you might get asked about your club memberships. It’s not a good look when you’re the president of something, but can’t articulate what inspired you to join.

Club membership isn’t a make or break. Nothing really is make or break outside of meeting objective qualifications set forth by Admissions. An application’s strength is based off a multitude of factors.
 
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It’s not about being in clubs for the sake of being in clubs. It’s not about being a serial joiner or a title collector. It’s about making an impact as a leader of an organization.

You want to be able to explain how you saw something at school or in the community that could be improved, devised a solution, rallied others to the cause, and got the job done. If that was done as part of a club, great but not necessary. If that was done as president, great but not necessary. One can lead and make an impact without being part of a club or holding a title.
 
We are also trying to figure out the best path for this part of the application as well...BGO said it is about securing leadership, not the number of clubs
 
Huursoldaat said:
Start a club and rally people to join. The your leadership position is "founder".
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He is actually working on that...he is also going to be elected as a captain on his VB team but it is Spring 2023 so we need to explain that...
 
Usnavy2019 said:
Don’t join a a bunch of clubs just to get leadership positions. It’s disingenuous. USNA Admissions can see right through an applicant that has multiple club leadership positions. It’s normal to have a leadership positions in clubs where there is a history of continuous participation. That shows investment and experience. However, a bunch of clubs where you hold a position, but not a history in said club doesn’t usually pass the sniff test. Do a club because you have an interest in it, not for an application. Also, during interviews, you might get asked about your club memberships. It’s not a good look when you’re the president of something, but can’t articulate what inspired you to join.

Club membership isn’t a make or break. Nothing really is make or break outside of meeting objective qualifications set forth by Admissions. An application’s strength is based off a multitude of factors.
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so am I basically screwed? I know there are multiple factors that they look at such as SAT, pt test etc but I believe that one of the main factors that they look at is how you volunteered in your extracurricular activities. isn't joining clubs and getting leadership position inside the clubs essential to your resume that they look at? Ive come to a realization that clubs are important but in my sophomore year, I was very busy with the classes I was taking and the sports that I played inside school. I also was in a travel team for soccer outside of school so I really didn't have much time to join clubs but now I am trying to make time to join clubs in my junior year.
 
Vegas72 said:
We are also trying to figure out the best path for this part of the application as well...BGO said it is about securing leadership, not the number of clubs
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so securing leadership inside the clubs are more important then just joining random clubs?
 
MidCakePa said:
It’s not about being in clubs for the sake of being in clubs. It’s not about being a serial joiner or a title collector. It’s about making an impact as a leader of an organization.

You want to be able to explain how you saw something at school or in the community that could be improved, devised a solution, rallied others to the cause, and got the job done. If that was done as part of a club, great but not necessary. If that was done as president, great but not necessary. One can lead and make an impact without being part of a club or holding a title.
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thank you for your advice. But when I apply for the Naval academy I need leadership positions so it can look good on my resume. I know that one can lead and make an impact without being part of a club or holding a title but how will they know what I did if I made an impact?
 
Pauly said:
I know that one can lead and make an impact without being part of a club or holding a title but how will they know what I did if I made an impact?
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You will explain to them exactly what you did and how it left the organization or community better than when you arrived. It can be a subject you cover in your personal statement and/or interview. It should be part of the personal story you tell to support your case for appointment.
 
So how good are you in soccer? Would a d-1 or d-2 college program be interested in recruiting you? If so your road to a service academy may have gotten a bit easier.

HS sports club sports are important no matter if you are a recruited type or not
 
Just to give some perspective my son, currently a plebe, did no appreciable amount of clubs at school. He was kind of involved with a veterans club but COVID put the lid on that. So clubs are not necessary. He played a lot of club lacrosse as well as being captain of the HS lacrosse team multiple years. He also ran track. He is not a recruited lacrosse player so that has no bearing. He did have high GPA, class rank and SATs. For Navy it is a balancing act. More valuable leadership could make up for lower academics or athletic ability. My son's strength in his application was academics and he was respectable with leadership and athletics.
 
Pauly said:
so am I basically screwed? I know there are multiple factors that they look at such as SAT, pt test etc but I believe that one of the main factors that they look at is how you volunteered in your extracurricular activities. isn't joining clubs and getting leadership position inside the clubs essential to your resume that they look at? Ive come to a realization that clubs are important but in my sophomore year, I was very busy with the classes I was taking and the sports that I played inside school. I also was in a travel team for soccer outside of school so I really didn't have much time to join clubs but now I am trying to make time to join clubs in my junior year.
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USNA cares about community service. 77% had some form of it in the Class of 2025. They don't really care about how it is done. It can be through Sea Cadets/CAP, a school service club, Boy Scouts (my personal route), external service organization, church, etc. I'm not going to say it is essential or not since I don't represent Admissions. By the looks of it (77%), it is desired, but not absolutely required. That said, USNA like leadership in those roles because it suggests experience, talent, and potential to be a leader in a service-based organization (such as the military).

I'm not implying that you shouldn't join a club. Community service never goes out of style. What I was more driving at is that you stated you're going to join all possible clubs. That isn't a recipe for success. You won't have the time and if you have a bunch of President titles earned within a year or so, it just comes across superficially. That's all I'm saying. But if you join one club, for example, become President, and make tangible differences, then that's fine. You now have some ammo for an interview/personal statement. "I saw the value of community service in high school, joined club X, liked what I was doing and wanted to improve the organization, became president, and made Y improvements." That is an answer that I'd want to hear as a nominations committee member or BGO. You could have a profound experience during community service that you could write about as well.
 
Going to be honest - it will be hard to get a leadership spot as a Junior and it being your first year in a club. On the club side I would try to found your own club this year, while also joining clubs that can grant you awards that show leadership from other institutions such as Model UN or Debate.

I would also highly highly recommend doing Boys State next summer. Not only will you get more points on application but you will also learn a ton about state/national government, leadership, and make brothers for life.
 
Usnavy2019 said:
USNA cares about community service. 77% had some form of it in the Class of 2025. They don't really care about how it is done. It can be through Sea Cadets/CAP, a school service club, Boy Scouts (my personal route), external service organization, church, etc. I'm not going to say it is essential or not since I don't represent Admissions. By the looks of it (77%), it is desired, but not absolutely required. That said, USNA like leadership in those roles because it suggests experience, talent, and potential to be a leader in a service-based organization (such as the military).

I'm not implying that you shouldn't join a club. Community service never goes out of style. What I was more driving at is that you stated you're going to join all possible clubs. That isn't a recipe for success. You won't have the time and if you have a bunch of President titles earned within a year or so, it just comes across superficially. That's all I'm saying. But if you join one club, for example, become President, and make tangible differences, then that's fine. You now have some ammo for an interview/personal statement. "I saw the value of community service in high school, joined club X, liked what I was doing and wanted to improve the organization, became president, and made Y improvements." That is an answer that I'd want to hear as a nominations committee member or BGO. You could have a profound experience during community service that you could write about as well.
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lots of good point said by @Usnavy2019 here. Keep in mind that a large % of a typical class are Honor Society...which also requires community service. Community service demonstrates a form of servant leadership and good experience and citizenship. Good point about not joining a bunch of clubs just for the sake of checking boxes. Better to have 2-3 ECAs w/consistent 3-4 years involvement ending in a Leadership Position (you also don't have to be the President to lead). You will need to be able to explain what you learned as a leader...not just "I was in-charge". Even having a failure as a leader can be a good story, if you can explain and discuss the lesson(s) learned and how you will apply them. Do what you like to do and are passionate about...it will show.
 
The only way you are ‘basically screwed’, is to not apply. That is the ONLY way to not be considered, at all.

As far as ‘joining a bunch of clubs’ to boost up your resume? They will see right through that.

There ARE ways to demonstrate leadership, beyond being president of a club. You mention club soccer. Are you a leader to your team?? A future officer will be leading their people. How can you demonstrate to a SA, that you have that potential? Leading others exists outside of school.

Volunteerism hours doesn’t equate to leadership.

Lastly, you cannot know your competition. Or how you (or they) interview. So many intangibles, that you cannot say ‘I’m screwed’. Leadership is an important part of your package. So are other factors. Not saying you don’t need to demonstrate leadership….but the only way for a definite NO is to not apply.

I would suggest speaking with respected adults about this. And where you are. And their advice. They may have good advice for your particular situation. A coach, pastor, teacher, your parents.

This year, one of my candidates created his own way to help the elderly. That turned into a fantastic thing where he saw a need, and provided a solution, creating, organizing and ultimately directing kids under him. It wasn’t hard. But it was certainly demonstrated leadership. He also had a LOT on his plate with academics, and 3 sports. He also did this little thing (ultimately recognized by our State).

Where there is a will, there is a way. Even being a leader in your classroom. Or your city youth leadership programs. There are ways. Maybe talk to your counselor.

Good luck to you!!
 
Will echo and amplify @justdoit19. You don’t need a club to be a leader. DD was not a member of a single club in high school but found a way to demonstrate her leadership. Did it through a school governance group and varsity sports teams. Also by being highly visible and fairly indispensable around campus. Clubs are nice but can also be overrated in terms of showing your leadership chops.
 
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MidCakePa said:
You will explain to them exactly what you did and how it left the organization or community better than when you arrived. It can be a subject you cover in your personal statement and/or interview. It should be part of the personal story you tell to support your case for appointment.
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Second ^^^^^^^.

And strategic thinking as to person(s) writing letters of recommendation on your behalf. Benefitting organization /community? Faculty advisor?

Writer should be able to articulate (with specific examples) how your involvement demonstrated leadership and was a catalyst for positive change.
 
Usnavy2019 said:
USNA cares about community service. 77% had some form of it in the Class of 2025. They don't really care about how it is done. It can be through Sea Cadets/CAP, a school service club, Boy Scouts (my personal route), external service organization, church, etc. I'm not going to say it is essential or not since I don't represent Admissions. By the looks of it (77%), it is desired, but not absolutely required. That said, USNA like leadership in those roles because it suggests experience, talent, and potential to be a leader in a service-based organization (such as the military).

I'm not implying that you shouldn't join a club. Community service never goes out of style. What I was more driving at is that you stated you're going to join all possible clubs. That isn't a recipe for success. You won't have the time and if you have a bunch of President titles earned within a year or so, it just comes across superficially. That's all I'm saying. But if you join one club, for example, become President, and make tangible differences, then that's fine. You now have some ammo for an interview/personal statement. "I saw the value of community service in high school, joined club X, liked what I was doing and wanted to improve the organization, became president, and made Y improvements." That is an answer that I'd want to hear as a nominations committee member or BGO. You could have a profound experience during community service that you could write about as well.
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Thank you for your advice. Currently I am in the Sea Cadets program and even the JROTIC program in my school
 
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