<p>Ooh and does anyone know when Columbia ED deadline is?</p>
<p>For MIT, and most of the Ivies, applyng for financial aid does not factor in to any admissions decisions. Only public schools and pther private schools make a difference when applying for financial aid.</p>
<p>To give us a good idea what you are looking at auskor, what are your stats?</p>
<p>I haven’t taken any SATs yet 
My ECs are:
Silver and Gold Academic Award (getting A’s and A+'s mostly)
Taking enhanced studies program at UQ (psychology)
School Prefect
Organising World Vision and Amnesty Internationals stuff at school
Got my AMus(distinction) in Flute Performance last year and taking AMus piano this year
School Symphonic Band - First chair Flute (won few regional+state competitions)
School Flute Choir - Leader
Community Service Club (school) Member
Volunteer at Mater Childrens Hospital</p>
<p>I’m really worried cos I don’t do any sports, debating or have job experience and I don’t speak any languages other than English and my first language as I only arrived in Australia in Yr 9 
I well-aware that I’m a really weak applicant but I want to stay positive and try as hard as I can 
So if you can hold back any harsh comments about my stats that would appreciated :D</p>
<p>Crismon, don’t worry too much about sports,work experience or language
I reckon you are quite a strong applicant, my profile is not as impressive!
Be who you are! Don’t worry!
Make effort to score high in SAT! for IVIES, get over 2200 at least! </p>
<p>My first choice WAS Columbia
however, it is famous for its tight FA…so…still struggling! My family income really cannot handle New York city!!!</p>
<p>I reckon you’re pretty good Auskor.</p>
<p>Hey btw does anyone if you have to give evidence of extra-curriculars when you do applications? How would you go about getting these if they are needed? Because I doubt I could get certificates from old bosses or my old cricket team.</p>
<p>My first choice btw is UMICH, but more likely I’ll be going to U of Toronto. UMICH is too expensive.</p>
<p>I’m not entirely sure but don’t you just put down the contact information of coordinator or manager for that EC activity? But I think whether or not you give the evidence, admission officers will find out the details.</p>
<p>I doubt they will. I can give reference, but I don’t have certficates ro anything, especially for stuff I organised MYSELF (40 Hour Famine, sports teams, jobs etc.)</p>
<p>I think in the admission process they contact the reference you give in your application (and if you dont they contact the school)and ask the person in charge what role you had in that particular activity and whatnot. Because my friend who got into Princeton few years ago told me that he attached to his application a list of all the ECs he did in high school and gave reference. Like you arjungamer, he was a founder of few clubs and fundraising events, and he mentioned it in his application. And apparently before the college decision was made, the admission officers rang the school club coordinator and confirmed if the stuff he put down was true… So watch what you put down in your apps guys 
I didn’t know they’d go into that level of minutiae in app process…</p>
<p>It might be different for International applicants tho.</p>
<p>Yeah very different.</p>
<p>I hear somthing different…I mean for EC’s</p>
<p>No…
AO’s won’t contact anyone to confirm.
They believe what you put down initially!
But…guys~ AOs are not idiots…they spend their life looking through application application and applications! They will know whether or not it is true from your essays, short responses, activity descriptions, interviews etc.
so…being honest with yourself is enough</p>
<p>^ From my understanding, most unis and LACs don’t look too much at your ECs unless of course they are of national or international level. And yeah, they don’t have time to review your certificates so don’t worry about not having them. I have known people inventing stuff themselves and getting admitted. Of course that’s not something I’d try, not only because it’s too risky but also because it’s not clean. My point: You can screw the ECs with good essays and superb scores.</p>
<p>Are you guys sure on that? But how on earth could they just believe whatever people put down on their apps?!? That just doesn’t make sense! I agree the actual admission committee wouldn’t have time to verify each of your stats but wouldn’t SOMEONE do it, maybe regional representatives from countries?</p>
<p>Ooh found it! Answers from reliable source:
[Do</a> Colleges Verify Information in Applications? - Ask The Dean](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000323.htm]Do”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000323.htm)</p>
<p>That settles it quite nicely.</p>
<p>Yeah thanks auskor</p>
<p>Hey guys, I also have a question about ECs,. I’ve seen that on the common and university application forms, there are lines for you to list your EC activites and any awards you wish to mention. I’m wondering what if I want to elaborate on the activity e.g. my role in it, how much money it raised if it was a fundraiser etc. Also for awards - where can I tell them the nature/prestige of the competitions etc? And if I put the info on an attahced resume, do they bother reading it?! Thanks!</p>
<p>I think it would be a good idea to attach separate document with all the important activities you’ve been involved, as well as years active, hours/week and weeks/year, your position/awards and description of activities.</p>
<p>Hmmm…I’ll list contact details for all my co-organisers.</p>