Well I’m not really sure how to ask this, but I am going to be a junior in high school next year and take several AP classes with good grades. I also do extracurriculars that include premier soccer, piano ABRSM, and I’m starting a club that ties into my interests in a career as well as community service that I am passionate about. I plan to do an internship next summer as well that has to do with CSE. I work really hard in and out of school and really want to be accepted into a top school. A lot of my friends have been talking a lot about college too and have been “freaking out” since they don’t "have enough EC’ or need to ‘find an internship’ so they are finding a lot of little community service etc. just to fill college applications. I’ve been starting to feel pressure to “do more” just for college, even though I know I should stick with a few things that I’m passionate about and enjoy doing. But, I’m still feeling a lot of pressure because all my classmates are talking about how they need these leaderships positions, jobs, etc. in order to have a good application. I don’t want to do a bunch of activities that I’m not really into just for a college applications, and I feel bad for thinking that, but still really want to have a chance at great schools. I’m really confused at this point because I want to do what is right for me and not participate in too many activities just because others are, but I also do not want to close doors when it comes to applying for college. Is this wrong?
No it’s not wrong.
You are doing it right. Colleges do not want to see a bunch of activities just for the sake of looking good. They want to see that you are participating in activities that interest you and that you enjoy. It sounds like you are on the perfect path- I know that your soccer and piano take up a good amount of your extra time and show your commitment to an activity, and the club is something that that holds interest for you. Along with and internship, you should look pretty good to colleges, especially if your grades and test scores are good. Ignore what others are saying and do what is working for you.