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What clubs should you join or create that would help students who want to do engineering majors in the future ? Do colleges prefer students engaging in clubs ?
I am a junior. I wanted to know what clubs I should know that would look great for my college application and also show that I'm engaged in extracurriculars.
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Avery’s Answer
While I am not an engineering major, I do have input about extracurriculars in general. I am currently a junior in college and completed the application process not long ago. I received a full-ride scholarship that covers tuition and room and board. I never anticipated that this would happen because I was not super involved in clubs and activities in high school, but this is what I learned.
In my experience, I have found that colleges value students in a leadership role in 1-2 clubs over students who are members of 5-6 clubs. I don't know anything specifically about engineering based on my experience, but a robotics club comes to mind as applicable if that is something you have access to. The most important thing is that you enjoy the clubs and activities you participate in. I went to a high-achieving high school and many of my peers focused on what would look good on their application more than if they enjoyed the activity. However, me and the other student in my graduating class who got full rides to college did not focus on that. When you are writing to colleges or doing interviews it is clear who is passionate about what they did in high school and who is more focused on looking good. So many people curate their image so carefully that demonstrating that you are interested in a specific topic makes you unique.
I recommend that you pick one or two things that you care about and focus on being great at those things. The experience of being in a leadership role along with your passion for your community will likely be far more important to your college than what club related most to engineering.
In my experience, I have found that colleges value students in a leadership role in 1-2 clubs over students who are members of 5-6 clubs. I don't know anything specifically about engineering based on my experience, but a robotics club comes to mind as applicable if that is something you have access to. The most important thing is that you enjoy the clubs and activities you participate in. I went to a high-achieving high school and many of my peers focused on what would look good on their application more than if they enjoyed the activity. However, me and the other student in my graduating class who got full rides to college did not focus on that. When you are writing to colleges or doing interviews it is clear who is passionate about what they did in high school and who is more focused on looking good. So many people curate their image so carefully that demonstrating that you are interested in a specific topic makes you unique.
I recommend that you pick one or two things that you care about and focus on being great at those things. The experience of being in a leadership role along with your passion for your community will likely be far more important to your college than what club related most to engineering.
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Mack’s Answer
Hello Shubheksha,
Avery is correct to suggest finding something you enjoy and maybe play a leading part in rather than just signing up for clubs that are available!
Several years ago, I helped a group of high school students start a club that I felt was an excellent introduction into engineering, leadership, teambuilding, and innovation. You might want to do the same. Check out FIRST Robotics! The FIRST Robotics Competition is VERY expensive, but the FIRST Tech Challenge is similar but on a smaller budget. You could find a local partner for FIRST Tech Challenge to get information:
https://www.firstinspires.org/find-local-support#country=42&stateprov=4448&zipcode=94114
Showing your skills and initiative is likely to be more important than listing your memberships! Best of luck in your last years in high school and as you prepare for a career in engineering.
Avery is correct to suggest finding something you enjoy and maybe play a leading part in rather than just signing up for clubs that are available!
Several years ago, I helped a group of high school students start a club that I felt was an excellent introduction into engineering, leadership, teambuilding, and innovation. You might want to do the same. Check out FIRST Robotics! The FIRST Robotics Competition is VERY expensive, but the FIRST Tech Challenge is similar but on a smaller budget. You could find a local partner for FIRST Tech Challenge to get information:
https://www.firstinspires.org/find-local-support#country=42&stateprov=4448&zipcode=94114
Showing your skills and initiative is likely to be more important than listing your memberships! Best of luck in your last years in high school and as you prepare for a career in engineering.