<p>Hey, I was just curious about how important extra curriculars are. I know they're important, but I feel like I haven't done anything in my high school career compared to any of the people on this site. I haven't published cancer research, or won a sports national championship, or was president of anything. I basically did what I liked throughout high school...</p>
<p>here's a list (i'm currently a junior in high school):</p>
<p>Taken dance for 12 years, been in a dance company for 8 years. I have competed in over 25 dance competitions.
Participant in GAPP (German American Partnership Program). An exchange program in which I host a German student for a month, and I travel to German for a month to attend German school.
Vice President of Glee Club
Member of Cross Country Team (I started track this year but had to quit due to injury, I will join cross country in the summer)
2 year member of Key Club (100 hours)
Volunteered 50+ hours at a local cat shelter
Played piano for 7 years</p>
<p>I don't have a hook though. I have good grades at a competitive school (4.0 unweighted, 4.87 weighted, 2270 SAT) but I just don't have anything special. I love math (currently have an A in calculus BC, and taking Calc 3 and Differential equations next year) but I haven't done any research or academic programs.....How much is this going to hurt my chances at getting into really good colleges?</p>
<p>What do you mean by “really good colleges?” Are you asking about HPYMS? Or the top 50 schools in the country?</p>
<p>Your ECs look great for the top 50. As for HYPMS, you have the same shot that all the other good students with strong ECs have, at least based on the information provided.</p>
<p>Wow, you sound a lot like me! A foot in every area, but nothing truly AMAZING. I made it out just fine (Stanford Class of '15!) And my SATs and grades were MUCH lower than yours. I don’t think that HYPMS is necessarily LOOKING for that “WHOA” factor. I think they like to see it, but I don’t think they really say, “this kid didn’t cure cancer (or etc.), they can’t go here…” I think for kids like us, it TRULY comes down to your essays. Write about something quirky or special about you that you haven’t had the chance to talk about in your app yet, and write about how it makes you just as special as those kids who’re future olympians and the like. </p>
<p>But if you just write a humdrum essay, don’t expect the ivies to be fighting over you…</p>
<p>I’ve now come to realize that extracurriculars never really hold the kind of weight that a student would expect. Based on personal experience, I would say that extracurriculars are lower down on the college admission totem pole than they should be, especially for the Ivies. In my case, acceptance this year was all about the grades, or incredible athletic qualification. Now, this is an observation from my corner of the U.S., so it wouldn’t be fair to assume that it applies everywhere else; regardless, grades and scores have become increasingly important these days. If you can become an incredible athlete in a specialized sport like crew, then go for it. This is some pretty specific insight, but I hope it helps. Best of luck.</p>
<p>You’re doing a great job, don’t count yourself out. The EC’s you have are very good, and you don’t wanna over burden yourself trying to join to many clubs. Personally I only had a couple of really solid EC’s and a 31 on the ACT and 2030 on the SAT with a 3.8 GPA. And I got a full ride to Penn State, no hook either. So I wouldnt say that you need any more EC’s unless there is something you really want to join, the only thing I would say is to just become more involved in the ones you have or get a hold of leadership positions in them. You’re doing an awesome job!! Keep it up!</p>