<p>You are clearly bright and have the potential to suceed anywhere. Unfortunately on the national level so do lots of other kids, more than the very selective schools can accept. So while academically you look great, your ECs are not that strong compared to what many other kids have done. </p>
<p>You have been involved, that’s for sure. But that’s it. I just see member of this, spent time doing that. No leadership or awards. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html</a> Read thru the whole thread, then decide how you think your ECs stack up.</p>
<p>And there are also the essays and recs. UCs don’t take recs but other schools do. Did you ask your teachers if they would write strong letters, or did you just assume those that agreed to write letters for you would write strongly positive ones? Did you have a counselor or someone else review your essays?</p>