I’m a current high school sophomore with relatively good academics, but I’m worried my ECs will hurt my chance at a “good” college.
Academics:
1470 PSAT (I didn’t study for this so I expect to get a 1550 on the SAT with some studying)
4.0 UW GPA
4.47 W GPA (by the time I graduate)
Class rank: 1/324
ECs (by the time I graduate):
4 years of Speech and Debate
2 years as a team captain
4-Year State Award
NHS member for 2 years
Played clarinet for 4 years
CIT at a summer camp (over the summer between my sophomore and junior years. This also equates to 100 volunteer hours.)
300+ hours of volunteering at a hospital over the course of my high school career
A part-time job for 2 years
Completed NaNoWriMo twice
Studied abroad in Spain (over the summer between my junior and senior years)
I know the “by the time I graduate” makes this seem a little sketchy and hopeful, but I have some degree of “already promised a spot” for all of it, so I feel that they’re realistic. I know that I don’t have a lot of ECs, but my main worry is that they aren’t “focused” enough, and I worry that I’ll come off as unmotivated or not passionate because of it.
I’d really love to know how to make them more impressive.
You have excellent stats and would be welcome at many excellent universities; some may also reward your hard work with scholarships.
If by “good schools” you mean, specifically the Ivies, Stanford, Berkeley etc., then you know the reality. Those schools are a reach for everyone whose parents aren’t generously donating billionaires.
Thanks, @katliamom. By “good schools” I mean the caliber of Hamilton, Barnard, Swarthmore, or Boston College. I live in Oregon, so the Clark Honors College at University of Oregon would be another “good schools” option, but I’d prefer to head east.
Based on your expected academic record, schools such as BC, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt should be open to you. Top LACs, such as those you listed, might be more competitive if you truly believe your ECs are weak, but that remains to be determined, and, IMO, should not be of major concern to you at this time.
I think many colleges and universities in the Barnard, Swarthmore, or Boston College range should be good for you to shoot at. Have you considered Wellesley, Smith, Mt. Holyoke (assuming you’re female) or Colby College, Bowdoin or Vassar? There are also some excellent mid-western schools - Macalister, Carleton, Denison University - you could look into.
Do have the money talk with your parents, if you haven’t already. Private liberal arts colleges tend to be very expensive. It would be a shame to spend time, energy and money applying to schools you’ll be unable to attend without significant financial aid. (Which is hard to get.) Good luck to you! You’re on your way to some very good schools.