<p>So I've earned average grades over the course of my high school career, mostly flat B's (80% honors and AP, all H & AP junior and senior yr). My unweighted GPA equates to a 3.1, however, the majority of students admitted to the schools I'm applying to earn GPA's between 3.5 and 3.7 UW (NYU, BU, Northeastern).
[More context, my SAT was a 2010]</p>
<p>I don't want to list all of my extracurriculars, but I believe that they will really set me apart from other applicants. </p>
<p>From your experience and knowledge, do impressive extracurriculars supplement for an academic performance that is below the standard for the schools that a student is looking to apply to?</p>
<p>Considering my average academic performance, should I continue to count on extracurriculars as being the part of my application that will place me as a potential admit for any of the schools I listed?</p>
<p>I know this is a broad question to answer but let me know what you think! Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>The only colleges that evaluate ECs are ones where there is already a high academic bar set. ECs are then used to distinguish between high academic achievers. A UW GPA of 3.1 won’t get you very deep in the discussions at NYU or BU. Possibly NE</p>
<p>How do you define “above average” EC’s? Most EC’s are not really that far above average, unless you’re referring to winning national science competitions, placing in national music competitions, developing some new type of technology, feeding thousands of people etc.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, no, EC’s are not going to make up for any shortcomings elsewhere. Most schools don’t even really consider them that heavily.</p>
<p>Yes they supplement your grades but they aren’t a replacement. Maybe if some are academic EC’s it will look a bit better. Be sure you have some realistic schools in the mix. </p>
<p>There is a long thread somewhere, in the Parent’s forum, I think for schools for B students, if you are looking for suggestions. There are usually pretty thoughtful threads and might bring up some good places you haven’t considered.</p>
<p>As a general rule, the most impressive ECs can easily be described in a line or two. A student will have extensive activity, but it will be focused in a meaningful way.</p>
<p>If you need many paragraphs (or worse, pages) to describe what you have been doing, it might be better than other students at your high school, but it probably won’t stand out compared to high achievers.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing: those universities are academic institutions. Their business, their mission, is educating students. So they’re looking for students. They’re looking for the most promising students they can get, and they’re happy if those students also play volleyball or chess or cello on the side. They’re not really looking for people who primarily do…whatever it is you’ve been doing…and also happen to go to school, too.</p>
<p>That’s why amazing extracurricular activities (other than high-profile, big-money sports) don’t make up for grades that aren’t competitive in the applicant pool.</p>