It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a high school senior in possession of college aspirations must be in want of extracurricular activities.[i] That some students engage in numerous such ventures simply to add some reputable bulk to their college resumes, and not because they have a genuine interest in such activities, is a well-known fact. Some argue that in the current, highly competitive college admissions process, high school students have no choice but to undertake myriad activities in order to stand out in the admissions process. Other maintain that students should only become involved in activities that they have a passion for, and that admissions officers will easily see through the aforementioned charade (Ms. Rosen, the new AAG college counselor, confirms this assertion).

While speaking about clubs, Mrs. Muhlfelder noted that one reason why, in order to start a new organization, students must submit a proposal and have five pledged members is to prevent kids from doing so just to add to their resumes. Surely there have been some instances of such misplaced directives in our school, but Ms. Rosen doesn’t consider it to be a major problem at The Academies. She admits that it can be an issue at large schools, however, where the size of the student body makes it much easier for kids to be anonymous. In such environments, involvement takes more initiative, which often comes in the form of college ambitions instead of true interest. On the other hand, at a small school like ours, it’s not difficult for students to become involved and find something to be a part of; participation — whether in clubs, student government, or sports — is the rule here, not the exception.

Nevertheless, even in our school, advertising that a club “looks good on college resumes” is a common ploy used by students to recruit new members. While participation in any extracurricular activity will, of course, “look good” to admissions officers, does this fact alone justify becoming involved with a club, or should a student’s passion be the first and foremost requisite?

While I think that it would be naïve to suggest that college admissions should never be a factor in deciding whether or not to found/join a club, it shouldn’t ever be the only or principal reason for doing so. As someone who has gone through the college process and is (painfully) close to pressing the “submit” button, I can personally attest to the fact that it’s often difficult not to think about how admissions officers will view your every action (or in-action). However, while this may be the inevitable case, one must also have a true passion for whatever activity he or she is engaging in — be it field hockey, mock trial, or community service. Students have a responsibility to themselves, to their school, and to their club members to actually want to be involved, and to be productive. Moreover, it is simply dishonest to present yourself to colleges as a person who ostensibly enjoys such activities, if in fact you don’t.

In the end, involvement in extracurriculars can be motivated by one of two things: either your own enjoyment and happiness, or the desire to impress. As Jane Austen wrote in Pride and Prejudice, “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously…. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” Those who are involved in activities just for the sake of involvement are vain; those who participate because they enjoy doing what they’re doing, on the other hand, are proud.