<p>Hi, I do a lot of extra curricular activities, but they are just too broad, and I am not specialized in one thing, for example I do a lot community service during summer, I used to make accessories and sell them, I go to various events such as MUN's and Science fairs etc., I play tennis as a hobby, I have just dicovered my talent in playing the piano, and I am planning to do a concert next, but it would be after college application, so does any of these things actually count or will all that go to waste?</p>
<p>Colleges look particularly for EC’s that demonstrate leadership and would rather see a lot of dedication to than a lot of ‘application fillers’. For example I will graduate with +700 hours from a local ambulance corp, +200 hours from a hospital and I’ve held a legal, on the books job since 8th grade.</p>
<p>What kind of schools are you planning to apply to? The vast majority, even of relatively competitive schools, just want to see that you are engaged and have something to contribute to student life. Sounds like you are and do. Only the most selective schools use ECs to differentiate between otherwise academically top notch students. If you aren’t applying to one of those schools, you are fine.</p>
<p>If you are applying to a very selective school, you may have other characteristics that differentiate you. ECs are just one way that students can show a school what they have to offer. Some students have had unusual life experiences and/or offer a unique perspective to the student body. If you are one of those, the ECs really aren’t critical.</p>
<p>And then there are always the intangibles - you never know what a school might be looking for, so no reason not to apply for a reach or two. Just make sure you spend at least as much time picking your matches and safeties.</p>
<p>@Novakaine, that is my problem, I have only recently discovered my true passion which is playing the piano, I am just hoping that the school I am applying to understands that. the other main thing is community service; I have done 300 hours of community service only this past summer, so it is a lot but over a certain time period, if I continue this summer with community service do you think it will count? I am really into community service by the way.</p>
<p>@M’s Mom, thank you for your response, I am most probably not going to apply to an Ivy league college, but I am still looking for a good school, I am actually an international student from Egypt, and I am planning to study in the US or Europe, so do you think the foreign nationality is something that is on my side or does it eventually increase my competition with other international students?</p>
<p>Do you need financial aid or are you able to pay? That’s always the key question for international students. If you are full pay, you have lots of options. If not, it will depend on how much aid you need - if you need a lot, that will significantly limit your options far more than your ECs or lack thereof. </p>
<p>And yes, being an international from Egypt means that you have a unique perspective to offer and most schools won’t be expecting you have the kind of ECs that American students do because your opportunities are different. You may want to post on the international students forum where you will get more informed input.</p>