<p>I've been wondering about this for a while.
My previous courses
Freshman Classes: Honors English, Honors precalc, 2nd year spanish, chemistry, AP computer science, volleyball.
Sophomore Classes: AP Calc, AP World History, AP Physics, Honors English, 3rd year spanish, volleyball.
So far all A's and 5's on all 4 AP tests.
This year(very scary schedule): AP Economics, AP English, AP Environmental Science, AP US Hist, Chem at local city college, Linear algebra &MVC @UCSB(because my high school ran out of classes =P), volleyball.
Probably will get A's in all those as well. However, classes suck up all my time.
Thus, my EC's seem tame compared to my schedule. I play club and high school volleyball at one of the best volleyball schools in the state(possibly varsity this year, but i am currently injured), participate in math club and science/engineering clubs with leadership roles and recently started a ping pong club at my high school. I have participated in many math competitions(USAMTS, Pomona Talent search, Math Day at the Beach, AIME, ARML) but have not won any prestigious award at the state level or higher(even though it is California, the largest state). Also working on some writing and economics competitions(econ team is very strong at my high school).</p>
<p>It seems very lopsided, and for good reason, as i do not think i can fully pursue my EC's with the rigorous schedule i have this year. Is it really worth keeping up a super rigorous schedule which sacrifices time for EC's(i am thinking of participating a national research competition and working harder on EC's in general if i have more time). Which do colleges like UC Berkeley and Ivy schools prefer?</p>