Rising high school junior here, I’m interested in majoring in public health or medical anthropology, but most of my extracurriculars aren’t in science related fields. The only thing kind of related is a genetics club at my school where I was supposed to get published in a research paper, but this didn’t happen bc of covid, and I’m unlikely to end up with a leadership position there. How much will it hurt my admissions chances if I don’t show more interest in the sciences through ECs?
Genetics Club is somewhat related. It counts.
Many kids who play sports don’t have time for ECs related to their major. They can still show interest by taking the most difficult classes related to their major and doing well in them.
So it isn’t the end of the world.
Personally, I think if you can have at least one activity related to your major, that’s a good thing. It not only shows colleges you are interested, but probably more importantly, it tests your own commitment to that course of study as well. But it is not, strictly speaking, necessary.
At most colleges in the country ECs are either not a factor or play a minor role. You can see for the schools you are considering on their Common Data Set. So since you have ECs at all you’re good for 90% or more of the colleges.
If you are considering the most selective colleges then they look for achievement and leadership. It doesn’t have to be in your intended field. They love to get a kid who is interested in the sciences and has taken the rigorous math/science courses in HS to qualify but is an accomplished musician. Many kids end up changing their major anyway. If you are considering something less than the most selective but that still care about ECs, the more achievement and leadership you show the better but it won’t be an absolute bar.
I am not sure that anyone other than an admissions officer can be quite sure what admissions officers are thinking. I am not one, and am only a parent (and a very-long-ago college graduate).
However, my impression is that ECs are more to show commitment, the ability to work with people, the ability to stick with something over a period of time, and to show that you are a well rounded person. I do not think that ECs need to be related to your major. Certain my biggest EC and two of my three ECs had nothing to do with any potential major or anything academic, and this did not stop me from getting into top universities in the US (and also in Canada).
If you were graduating university and applying to medical school or to veterinary school then I would say something different. However, that is at least a long way from now.
I do not think that I see any problem.