Canadians, please come in

<p>just curious to know what ECs do you guys have?</p>

<p>and how did you get involved in some clubs(except the school ones)</p>

<p>i am really frustrated with my lack of ECs, I am now volunteering in a community,and I can join 2 clubs and school band next year. But, I do know its not enough for any IVY school.
I am now in Vancouver which is a desolate place at least in my opinion.I really don't know what to do with my ECs cuz I don't have any opportunities to do anything in an association or a club.</p>

<p>anyone can give me some advice?
thanks in advance</p>

<p>For me, ECs started early in my high school career. It depends on what you are interested in. Remember, ECs don't necessarily have to be IN SCHOOL. They can include other things that you can join outside of school, and part-time jobs. I'm part of a lot of clubs, but the big thing colleges are interested in is dedication. In your case, quantity may not necessarily be better than quality. Just join what you are interested in, and spend a lot of time on those activities.</p>

<p>o, thanks!MKDaMan1818</p>

<p>anybody else?</p>

<p>I am not sure about the quote "vancouver is a desolate place." Why is that?</p>

<p>To compensate for those lacking ECs, start writing kickass essays. That's the only way you'll be able to directly convince Admissions officers that you are worth their investment. </p>

<p>Anyway, Vancouver is GREAT city to live in. There are simply SO MANY THINGS to do. I didn't realize that before when I was young, but seriously, if you take the time and effort to carefully look around, I'm sure you'd be able to find tons of worthwhile things to do. </p>

<p>For instance, I started working for a "farm" in Richmond with I was in grade 9. It's actually quite an interesting experience, despite the heavy work load (they made me wash dishes and pick berries and fruits all day long in the summer...will never forget that). This summer, I took a second year course at UBC. I must admit that college is really a totally different type of experience. Everyone's so SERIOUS, so MATURE, so "knowledgeable" (and that's only UBC, I can't imagine what it'll be like at the ivies).</p>

<p>Potential (but "not-so-serious") hook: I have been exercising, working-out, and eating like a horse for the summer, so I could grow taller and look stronger and smarter, since people always teased me because I look small and skinny. Not the case anymore. After eating like 6 meals in a day, I am now 180 cm tall. Nice hook, eh?</p>

<p>First, what do you love to do? What are your interests or strengths?</p>

<p>are you asking me?</p>

<p>Well my interests, they are pretty straight-forward:</p>

<p>Far-Eastern Affairs and George W. Bush</p>

<p>Oh well I meant the girl asking so I could give her ideas on EC's. You study about George W. Bush?</p>

<p>Dina, try govolunteer.com
also if you are a musician, join a youth orchestra.
That's all I can say since that's basically all I'm doing.:D</p>

<p>THe problem is that I don't have anything stellar like a national/international recognition in any field.:(</p>

<p>O, ok,haha </p>

<p>here is my situation:</p>

<p>these are the reasons for why I am lacking ECs
since my family emigrated to Canada last year, I didn't really know the volunteer stuff or ECs last year and simply did nothing, for I always considered applying to Canadian universities before April this year.</p>

<p>my interests:</p>

<p>well, music, I palyed violin for 10 years,and actually I did lots of violin-related stuff
1)I got the violin grade 10 certification( which is the highest grade for amateurs in China</p>

<p>2)I won the 2nd place in a violin competition in China</p>

<p>3) I once was a member of a string quartet band</p>

<p>4) I participated in a violin performance with a extremely famous violinist named Lu, Si-Qing in 2002.</p>

<p>but the problem is i did all these things before gr 9, whcih they won't look at(thats what someone told me, iam not sure though)</p>

<p>I siad i can't find anything to do because I can't find any bands to join in(except the one in my school)</p>

<p>and for the quote"Vancouver is a desolate place"
well, I didn't really mean it is that desolate, but it just kinda lacks opportunities compared to the cities in Ontario,maybe?</p>

<p>And thank all you guys for helping me.</p>

<p>o, thank you helenwho.</p>

<p>yeah, joining an band is what i want to do..just can't find one. I almost tried everything, I did searching online, but found nothing.</p>

<p>wow, Dina, with your experience, I'm almost positive you'll be accepted to something like Vancouver Youth Orchestra/Delta Youth Orchestra (the two best youth orchestras in the lower mainland imo). I'm working hard and looking forward to join one of it (preferably VYSO since it's better known) in my senior year. Also, why not try find other musicians and form your own ensembles? Heck, me and you could even get together (I play the horn/piano). Which school in Vancouver do you go to? I went to Point Grey Secondary in my sophomore year, and they had a lot of music stuff (bands, musicals -- fun to do also look good on stats).</p>

<p>My family just emigrated from China two years ago as well. :D coincidence eh? I'll say!</p>

<p>Everyone's considering high reach schools, but does anybody have their precise SAT scores at this point? I mean, if still haven't started preparing for that, I doubt you'll be ready by October.</p>

<p>o,sure. I have been preparing for the SAT since May.</p>

<p>o,hey,helenwho.</p>

<p>My school is Van Tech.
thanks for telling me about the Vancouver Youth Orchestra, I have never heard of that before.</p>

<p>and do you know how I can get accepted into it?</p>

<p>google it :D
That's how I found out about it.
They have auditions in June and September. I guess you could try out for the September one. Go to their website, find the email of the person in charge, and book an audition with him. Tell him about your past experience of course.</p>

<p>I might too even though I'm 99% positive I'll get rejected this time, but I just want to get evaluated by some real connoisseurs.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>o. yeah, thanks</p>

<p>I just emailed the one who is in the charge of Orchestra yesterday.</p>

<p>is it that hard to get accepted?woo........I didn't play the violin for almost 2 years....</p>

<p>i have just received the email form the person, and she said the one in June has already completed, and told me to wait for the one in April next year.its too late to do anything by then,o
and there is no such an audition in Sep, I guess..................................................</p>

<p>tooooo sad</p>

<p>I have just received the eamil from the person, and she said the audition has already completed, and told me to try out for the one in April next year</p>

<p>OMG, it would be toooooooooooo late to do anything by then.....</p>

<p>try Delta Youth Orchestra</p>

<p>What grade will you be in in September?</p>

<p>And think about the idea of forming your OWN ensembles.
I can provide some amateur musicians if you need. My email is <a href="mailto:flyawaybc@hotmail.com">flyawaybc@hotmail.com</a>. JUST msg me if there's anything I could do.</p>