Do I need more ECs?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a sophomore in an above average HS in Illinois, but I was wondering if I need more ECs because compared what I've seen on CC, mine are 'weak'.</p>

<p>Here's what I've done so far:</p>

<p>-varsity cross country 2 yrs (set school record, future captain, designing web site for program)
-varsity track 2 yrs
-gardening in the summer, donating fresh produce to local food pantry (more relevant than standard NHS service, imo)
-self-taught korean with a friend
-fundraising for LiNK (liberty in North Korea)
-church youth group (not too involved, but I attend most of the meetings)</p>

<p>I'm nervous that I might need more ECs to get in the schools I want, even though I've taken the most rigorous courses possible at my HS and I have maintained a 4.0 unweighted so far (I might get a B in Honors English this semester though :( ), and I have a 31 ACT (obviously retaking, only a sophomore). I'm thinking about applying to University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, UIUC, UW Madison, UT Austin (stretch), UW Seattle, and maybe Ohio State for computer science.</p>

<p>I'm very nervous because there is a possibility that I will lose my 4.0 and I don't have a boat load of ECs to back me up.
I'm not a troll; I just have very bad anxiety over things like this and for some reason I'm incredibly intimidated by college applications, as if everyone else applying is like a genius or something.</p>

2

<p>start by looking at the Common Data Set (section C) for each school to see how important ECs are in admission. . At many schools they are not considered, or are a minor factor. Keep in mind that out of the 3,000 or so 4-year colleges in the US EC’s are important for admission at only a small fraction. Perhaps the most selective 200 or so. You can see what factors matter in admission at schools you are considering by looking at their Common Data Set filings. Most students worry needlessly about EC’s when they’ll play only a small factor or not even be considered!</p>

<p>The question about impressive EC’s comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. So the “boatload” you mention is not the right answer! Stanford, for example, says

</p>

<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) I don’t buy into his underlying explanation of why they are impressive, but take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>

3

<p>Given the schools you are looking at, you’re fine. Someone can correct me, but I think at least a few of those schools put very little weight on ECs and are mostly concerned about grades, curriculum, and test scores. You don’t need a 4.0 and your 31 bodes well for all those schools.</p>