I’m a freshman currently at a very small school in the Deep South, about 400 students, in a very closed off town.
There is little leadership opportunity here, and by that I mean very few programs that would help my college applications. My school does not even have an active beta club. Our county only has one program and it’s like a social hierarchy thing to get into, not even the top students are offered it, it’s by last name; who you are. That’s how it works in small towns!
This really bothers me because of how hard I work in school. I have a genuine passion to learn and it is extremely important in my life. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed of going to an Ivy League (highly unlikely with my situation), but now I’ve fallen in love with Boston college. I hope to go to law school, and it is also my ultimate dream to get politically involved somehow.
I don’t know if this helps, but I also play soccer, for a state ranked club team and my highschool. I start and play the whole game on both as the youngest player.
Let’s say I go as planned, take tons of courses for the ACT, study my heart out, maintain a 4.0 and maybe even higher, and I’m able to make a high score of 34.
I do not have many outlets to boost my chances here. If anyone knows of anything I could do, I’m willing to do it. My school does not offer any leadership opportunities where we all have an equal shot at getting somewhere. Ideas are greatly appreciated!
EC’s are not necessarily affiliated with high schools. Try to start your own organization. There are likely many activities at your school that lack the “prestige” of the top activities. Volunteer in your community: homeless shelter, food bank etc.
I definitely will start spending some times volunteer working, but as for offered activities that are offered, I can’t think of many besides scholars bowl, which I don’t think helps that much from what I know.
If you know of any that are basically universally offered everywhere…?
Here are things you can do, echoing some of what others have already said:
- start a club at school and become the instant President
- volunteer or intern in the community
- achieve things virtually (there are online courses, online competitions, online virtual volunteering opportunities, online businesses you can start, online publishing opportunities, online portfolios you can create to showcase your work, etc.)
- see about going to summer programs at universities around the country (these cover every academic subject and interest)
- start getting politically involved now (even the smallest of towns has a politician or two, a lawyer or two, etc., and maybe the club you start could even be a political club)
- start researching how to get recruited for soccer if you think you will want to do that later and play for a university team
By the way, you mentioned Boston University in your title [moderator edited] and Boston College in your comments – these are two very different universities. Great that you are researching your options already and dreaming big. Come up with several “first choice” universities that you would be happy with, taking into account cost and competition for admission. When you apply to law school much later, it won’t matter so much which university you attend – they look primarily at LSAT score and GPA.
Ah yes I meant Boston college not university. Thank you!
Great advice given above. Also volunteering in a hospital/medical/nursing home type setting. It also seems to me you have the makings of a very good college essay based on your unique story. Good luck!
I had a 4.0, 34 ACT from a school of about 400 students. That was the highest ACT score at my school in years. I don’t live in the deep south, but its a pretty small city, with less people in total than the enrollment of some state colleges. Most people don’t even know about BC here outside of sports and our schools pretty much never sends kids to top schools outside of athletics. Our school does not have a lot of the academic clubs that are typical at other schools, and the one we do have are small. Most top students go to our flagship. I got into BC EA this year and I’ll most likely be attending. 
My nephew is from a small town in Missouri. His school doesn’t have many opportunities (they don’t even offer AP classes). He was accepted to Boston College RD. In high school he did sports and marching band (and held a part-time job) but no clubs or leadership experience. So, it is possible. They take into account what your school offers, I believe.
Congrats! Thanks for the input!
He took the SAT and it was 1310 (not great, I know). He had a weighted GPA of 4.24.