<p>Im currently a freshman at NYU, thinking about transferring next year. My classes are going well and grades are high, but I dont have any ECs at all because I need to work 20hrs per week for financial reasons, along with doing some busy work for my fathers business back in japan. As a journalism major, I do want to work for my school newspaper, and looked into it, but I cant find the time. Also, as an international student and only have a student visa, I have to work through the school, so I cant apply for and try to get a "nice" sounding jobs I can put in my apps, like working as an office assistant at a law firm. Basically, I wont have anything to put in my EC section of my app, other than my boring work. Would colleges be understanding of this, or would they think I don't do anything at school. Should I write a supplementary letter explaining this? Thanks.</p>
<p>I think ECs are a <em>bit</em> less important at college level.</p>
<p>However I would still try to get involved with the school to a certain degree. You don’t have to calculate it in hundreds of hours of volunteering like in High school, but just 2-3 activities related to your area of interest, just to show that you’re involved in your school and that if admitted for transfer you’ll get involved at the college too.</p>
<p>You can always explain your situation on the application. However, be careful that you don’t make it seem like you will still be too busy to be involved at the next school you go to. They’re using ECs to get an idea of what you can contribute to their school. They don’t want somebody who’s only going to show up and go to classes – they want to see someone who can actively contribute to the campus.</p>