<p>I'm a rising junior and I want to get into universities such as Michigan or Columbia. I've maintained 4.0 GPAs throughout high school with all honors (couldn't take APs because of scheduling conflict). Freshmen year, however, I had no extracurricular activities other than helping out a few times at this summer program. Sophomore year, I went into two clubs that I'm really passionate about, but these clubs offer no leadership positions. I've also volunteered at local hospitals, libraries, churches, and am currently talking with a neurological researcher for an internship. I've created a program at the summer program I helped out with during freshmen year. I helped organize Earth day for one of my clubs and lead several workshops and contacted various speakers to come in. I'm currently creating a garden with some elementary students to help feed the poor and I just finished leading a fundraiser to help kids with cancer at the church I volunteer at. I'm planning on joining more clubs but these don't have any leadership positions either. The ones that do are related to politics (0% interest in it) and also cost a lot of money (traveling expenses) which I cannot afford. I know this is pretty much nothing, but now that I'm a junior, do I no longer have time to do anything else that could improve my chances at getting into these schools? Any advice? Sorry this was so long and thank you for your input!</p>
<p>Honey, you keep saying you’ve had no leadership positions, but you CREATED a program and ORGANIZED another one, then you LED a fundraiser. If those aren’t leadership positions, I don’t know what are. You say, “This is pretty much nothing,” but you’ve actually accomplished quite a lot. </p>
<p>Unless you’re a ■■■■■ trying to get people to tell you how great you are, I would ease up on yourself. Do what you enjoy and are interested in, not pad your list of clubs to “look better”. Despite what you read here, people get into college without a dozen or more activities, a dozen AP courses and even with less than a 5.0. </p>
<p>You have a full year before you even start applying to college. That’s plenty of time to fall into even more leadership roles-or create more, as you have been. Keep up the good grades and take the classes you can. It’s really not complicated.</p>
<p>When I read admission folders, it is pretty clear to see when someone is padding the resume just to look impressive. believe me that is NOT impressive at all and people can tell the difference. Do what you like and believe in and don’t sweat it.</p>
<p>your ECs sound excellent. keep on doing what you’re doing. expand, whatever. play your experiences up in your essays, and they will know what’s up. if your scores and GPA are good, you will be a solid applicant. know your dream schools but don’t let them become your all and DON’T LET THEM KEEP YOU from applying to other matches that will also suit your needs just as well.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! I’m not actually a ■■■■■; I just got discouraged a little at all the wonderful things other kids are doing here, but thank you for giving me hope! I feel like I still have a chance. :D</p>