I’m from a small town in Oklahoma with limited opportunities. I’m planning on applying mostly to selective schools in the northeast (Barnard, Wellesley, Boston) and a couple in CA (Scripps, USC) as well as some safeties in state. I’m worried about my pretty uninteresting ECs and activities. I’ve been involved in a few clubs, but there haven’t been any leadership positions to go for. I have a respectable amount of volunteer hours (tutoring). I’ve tried to take as many opportunities as I could in high school, but there weren’t many. There aren’t many chances to “shine” here unless you’re an athlete. Academically, I do well. I’m ranked in the top 3% of my class of about 160. My schedule isn’t the MOST rigorous (I’ve taken 2 out of 4 APs offered, couldn’t take the other 2 due to scheduling conflicts), but I definitely try to challenge myself. I know admissions officers will see my school profile, but will I be penalized in any way for not having a resume as amazing from someone from a larger school in a more urban area? I’d appreciate everyone’s input, especially if you’ve been in this position before. Thanks!
You won’t be penalized for schedule conflicts. But selective schools don’t just give a pass becasue you don’t have many opportunities in your small town. It’s great that you have done as much as you can in terms of available clubs and the like. I suggest you think outside the box. What is needed in your town? What are you interested in? Maybe you can collaborate with another ambitious student and address that need.
Go to your town council meeting with a suggestion. Example: I got together with another resident who was fed up with people littering. We wnt to the town board and suggested that more visible and interesting road signs would catch drivers’ attention and reduce littering. They liked the idea, so we went to the high school and asked for submissions from graphic design students to come up with a winning design. The process took a while, but in six months our town boundaries sported new litter signs and littering was noticeably reduced.
You can do a similar thing in your town. Go to your local library, hospital, church, food pantry, or your school principal. Create your own opportunities if you really want to stand out.
@Lindagaf thank you so much for your help! I’ll definitely try something like that 