Question about posting EC on app

[btower12]

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Dearest SDN Members,

I have two questions about listing EC's on my application:

1. Freshman year spring, I joined one volunteering club and stuck with it the whole semester. When I came back sophomore year fall, it turned out that club no longer fit in my schedule, so I joined another very very similar club and have stuck with it ever since. Would it be okay to list just the one club I stuck with and say I have done it since Freshman year spring? It's because I know listing it as one club instead of two would show a longer commitment to that one organization.

2. If I did a research lab for a semester as a freshman but dropped it for another one because I didn't like it, is it worth it to list that I did it? Or should I simply list the other one I stuck with?

Thanks for the help, I just don't want my EC's to give the wrong impression when read.

 

[Premixis]

I would list both, or only the most recent one (but list it from Sophomore-Senior year) just so that you're being honest. There isn't much gained by saying you were part of a volunteer club for 3 years vs 4 years, as both show commitment.

As for research, I would only list the one that you stuck with unless you can mention something notable about the first research experience and speak about the research you did over that semester.

 

[NickNaylor]

I wouldn't list either of those initial experiences unless doing so we prevent you from discussing something substantive (e.g., leadership position in the club, some kind of scholarly production in the lab). Don't merge the two clubs into one experience.