Do universities see through CAS as meaningless?

[McLovin]

In my opinion, I think CAS is a good thing. It pushes students to have extracurriculars and volunteer experience so they at least have something to offer colleges. However, since CAS is a requirement, do colleges see through it?

 

I'm concerned because I have extremely inconsistent EC's under my belt.

Freshman

-Actor in the school musical & lettered in drama (whole year)

-Writer for the school newspaper (whole year)

Sophomore

-Swim team (two months)

-Member of a selective film jury outside of school (two months)

 

From these two years, I have an idea of what I like to do and don't. The thing is, I'm starting the IB Diploma Program this fall and I feel like colleges will think that my new and improved activities were only initiated because of IB requirements.

 

Will I be seen as a "late bloomer"? I don't want to mention most of my freshman and sophomore EC's on my college applications because I think they'll be perceived as excess with no depth and solid dedication, and because there's a year gap. Tell me if I'm wrong though because the activities that I've planned for junior year are connected to my freshman and sophomore ones (e.g. I'm continuing acting and the film jury). I'm also planning to do a different sport that I'm more interested in than swimming.

 

Yes, I still have two years left until college but mind you, we start applying for college in the beginning of senior year. That technically means that my new extracurricular activities are only 1~1.5 years long versus a kid who's been doing the same activity for 4 years of more.

 

I guess what's bothering me is that, I have my interests but I haven't been doing them since freshman year. I'm worried that it'll shoot me down when I apply for college. What matters most, quality or length? Or both?

 

Hopefully any of you could offer some insight, input, advice, or any help at all. (btw I also posted this in the CAS forum)

Edited May 3, 2015 by McLovin

[irossi]

They universities in my area don't see the activities that I started during my IB career as being a result of IB but even if they did, the IB has allowed students the opportunity to become involved! So to answer your question, no I don't think that the universities would see CAS as meaningless as it has made students to get involved with their communities!