<p>I was just wondering how much ECs help on one's college application. This is not me, but suppose one has a GPA of 3.8 and SAT score of about 2250 with only one EC that was one was dedicated to (without even having a board position in that club). Volunteering hours is also at a minimum. What would be some of the best colleges that person would be able to be accepted?</p>
<p>As for financial aid, how much does applying for financial aid hurt one's chances at a prestigious high school? I've heard that competition is increased significantly when one applies for financial aid, whereas one who does not apply for financial aid has a greater chance at prestigious universities.</p>
<p>I love the “this isn’t me, but suppose an imaginary person had these stats” threads. Many of the top universities are need-blind, so needing FinAid wouldn’t hurt, at the non need-blind ones, it will definitely be detrimental. Top schools also use EC’s to separate all of the applicants with stellar stats, so with one EC, I wouldn’t shoot for HYPS or the like.</p>
<p>ECs are definitely definitely important. Who knows they could make a big difference in your app. Colleges want a well rounded student who can juggle both academics as well as ECs. You want to make sure you show colleges youre serious about getting out into the community and not wasting your time sitting at home. Sure they look to see if the person is a bookworm but definitely not one that is so enveloped in studies he/she just ignores everything else? </p>
<p>The valedictorian of my school has a 2000 something and a 4.0 gpa. Actually maybe even close to a 2400 for SATs and she applied to Yale. She unfortunately didnt get in because she had no ECs at all. </p>
<p>Then again colleges do accept you into their college if you show that you have had some other thing that was stopping you from doing ECs. If you have excellent academics and a really interesting personal essay, your chances are great at getting into still good colleges.</p>
<p>Do note that “need blind” doesn’t necessarily mean a school will actually meet your financial need. So if you require a decent amount, keep that in mind as you do applications.</p>
<p>I thought this was kind of funny because you basically described me. I have a 2250 and a 3.8 (UNweighted), with only one EC. On the other hand, I have almost 3500 hours at one EC (work) and over 1500 volunteer hours… so that’s tough. On the other hand, I’m going to Stanford. Aim high, but keep things realistic. I’m not sure if this helps, but the other schools on my list were the University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, George Washington University, Stanford, Yale, Rice, Chicago, and WUStL.</p>