Is getting into college difficult?
College admissions is more of an Art than a Science. Is it difficult to get into college? Well, as an Art, that question has no definite answer. It’s not like solving a problem in Physics.
All I can say is (if you’re just starting high school or just in the middle if I may assume) concerning extra curricular activities, do what you love, and do it well, really well; concerning your academics, try to love learning, and do your best on every test or exam (everything counts); concerning recommendations, don’t pretend to love your teachers and be their friend - love them GENUINELY, or at least try to, and be interested in everything (legal and ethical) that they try to teach you; concerning essays, reach into the depths of your though and write an essay that truly talks about YOU, what you’ve done or not done, and how it impacted YOU, as well as how you’ll use that lesson to make your community a better place.
Always keep this in your mind and in everything you do: at the end of the day, getting into college isn’t the goal, but it is a possible step to a larger goal of contributing to your community and leaving yourself well-off in life. The goal is your happiness.