<p>How do these extracurriculars look:</p>
<p>Several-time 1st place winner of county science fair
Intel Science and Engineering Fair Participant
100's of hours of martial art, sustaining member
Professionally (not self-) published writer
Started two clubs, now in leagues
Summer volunteer at bookstore, several hundred hours
Guitar, 11 years, good score on NYSSMA</p>
<p>Not a lot, but there's passion . . . .</p>
<p>I didn't have a huge list either but I'll be there this fall. I think the key is to have strong ECs rather than many. When I say strong I mean ECs that you put a lot of time into and lead. By the time I started applying to schools, I was President or V.P. of nearly everything I was involved in. Having a leadership position and discussing its impact on you in your essays is a great way to show how passionate you are about whatever ECs you fit in your application.</p>
<p>Yep, I agree with BrandynQ. I hadn't done too much, and I only really "led" one thing (an exchange program to Japan), but all my activities combined to show off my passion for language and that was enough. What are your special interests? Do those ECs reflect them? If they do then you shouldn't be worrying too much. Worry more about how to incorporate that passion into your essays.</p>