Hi guys,
Not telling a sob story but I’m a little panicky about college applications.
I’m a lower class Asian female in CA who wants to go to an Ivy to have a degree in STEM.
I’ve heard horror stories about college applications.
I don’t have much money to afford going to competitions or anything like that because I use it for my AP exams and my mom’s health bill
I can only afford orchestra and is saving to go tour Austria with my orchestra. (I joined some clubs in my school)
Are there any ways to explain to the college admission officers that I couldn’t afford activities outside of school like writing it in essays?
Tell your guidance counselor who can talk about those circumstances in her recommendations. What about clubs or volunteer organizations? Those are some easy ways to get involved. Even getting a job or doing creative writing on the side is considered an extracurricular
You can “only” tour Austria? I’m not sure saying you can’t afford any EC’s is going to be taken seriously, because the cost of that would cover all necessary expenses for my kid’s EC’s for all of hs.
Not having the money isn’t necessarily an excuse. For many families very lacking in income, students spend their time working (and that is an extracurricular!) or instead, volunteer locally to be involved.
You need to ask your guidance counselor to mention the financial issues with your mother’s health expenses and also if there are many constraints on your time due to your mother’s illness. There are dozens of ways for you to be involved in things outside school that don’t cost money. Volunteer, tutor, get involved with church or the local library. Spend time doing a hobby. Enter competitions that don’t have entry fess, of which there are many. Doing stuff outside of school shouldn’t just be about money. My d, heading to college, participated in two or three school clubs that never cost a penny. Just start looking at what is available.
Honestly if you’re going to shame me because I’m dedicated to music too (and being in leadership, I’m required to go) and can’t afford other EC, might as well not comment at all.
@mathyone
@shawnspencer yea, I work (over a year, not yet 16) and volunteer (2007-present). and i join clubs but I don’t think it’s enough.
@Burdened I work (over a year, not yet 16) and volunteer (2007-present). and i join clubs too but I don’t think it’s enough. I really want to join competitions but the money I’m currently saving up is for my mom’s health and Austria
ECs don’t have to be “canned” activities. Working a job is an EC.
Sorry but I cannot believe that your music director expects you to pay to go to Austria. Ours doesn’t expect kids to pay for maybe a 5 hour bus trip and 2-3 nights 4 to a room in a hotel. Those kids are still full members of the ensemble, no one is excluded for not being able to afford a trip.
You have an ongoing job and you are involved in activities at school. That is more than enough. I only did clubs at school and volunteering and I got into college. Find the ones you are interested in and stay committed to them, eventually rising to leadership positions. For me I really cared about journalism, service based organizations, and government so I did those. If you really want to do competitions available, see if any grant money is available or fee waivers. Competitions are far from the only extracurricular that counts. Consistent involvement can count just as much if not more than a single competiton
Because so many activities don’t cost money, I don’t really understand the phrase “can’t afford other EC.” Is the idea that you working at a job to make money for your music and your family and you would have to quit work to do more activities? I agree that working is an EC.
Job is a great EC. Much better then joining clubs that meet once per month. Same goes for orchestra.
@mathyone then your director is obviously more different than mine. I’m saying the truth and if you don’t believe me, you don’t have to comment.
I joined that orchestra is because everyone there is dedicated to music unlike some other orchestra. they’re touring austria and I’ve talked to my director. He offered to play half and I’m still struggling to pay the other half so excuse you for being privileged.
@CheddarcheeseMN I do work, read other comments pls.
@Ballerina016 I work but being under 16, I really can’t find jobs without an age limit. Otherwise, I volunteer, have clubs at school and play in orchestra. that’s about it.
Regarding the question in the last line of your original post, I wouldn’t explain that you couldn’t afford ECs because so many ECs have no cost, as others have mentioned.
besides jobs and volunteering? It’s california lol, everything’s expensive and everyone’s competitive .
You do not need a huge long list of ECs. Of course working is an EC. Btw, I am not trying to sound snarky, but you do need to improve your writing skills a bit if you are aiming for Ivy schools. Your posts have quite a few errors.
Anyway, working, volunteering, music, a few clubs, a little leadership, makes it clear that you are involved with activites beside school work. Your trip to Austria is a privilege and it’s good that you are working to afford it. Don’t expect it to open doors to Ivy schools though. Be realistic about what it is: a trip abroad.
@Lindagaf yea im writing informally. I’m just asking bc i seen a few of the ivy students’ accomplishment
I’m not expecting to get into Ivy just with “austria” written on it; if i did, I wouldnt’ve asked my question here