Are my EC's weak?

Applying to College
1

Red Cross 10-12 (treasurer, 11) I honestly don’t do too much lol
Varsity Soccer 9-12 We were league champions in 10th grade
College Preparation Program 9-12 It’s a program that guides people through the college application process and also gives test prep
Church volunteer 9-11 I’m a member of a club that introduces newcomers to our church and helps them feel welcomed
(Christian) Summer Camp 9-12 Various volunteer activities like helping out in homeless shelters, renovating abandoned homes, etc.
Work at YMCA for 1 summer
Volunteer at a physical therapy clinic for about a month in the summer

Also, I want to get a job but it seems impossible to find one around my area lol… Any ideas?

Thanks

2

To be blunt and honest, your ECs are pretty weak. Maybe try to get an internship instead of a job; that may be an easier thing to do.

3

Thanks for your honesty, and because of my low income, I thought it make more sense to get a job rather than an internship. Do colleges prefer internships more? @ap012199

4

Oh, well actually, since you are low income, that would suffice for the lack of ECs (because they cost money most of the time). If you explain that, acdoms would understand the lack of ECs. No, jobs are better to have than internships in most (if not all) cases.

5

@ap012199 Cool, and I’m just a little confused - why did you suggest internships then?

6

Your activities are fine – pretty typical. Your ECs won’t hurt you but at the very elite/competitive schools they won’t help you to stand out either. And it is totally fine that you have a job instead of an unpaid position. Any type of work is fine (including retail, restaurant, fast food etc.).

7

@happy1 would writing an essay that correlates to my EC’s strengthen them and possibly make me stand out a little more?

8

Because you said it seems impossible to find a job

9

Write the essay that tells admissions something important/interesting etc. about you that cannot be found elsewhere in your application. It doesn’t have to be about an EC but if you go that route be sure it is about how YOU changed/grew from your involvement and not have it be primarily about the activity itself.