<p>This isn't really a comparable situation, but take it how you like: I have a friend who's a freshman at Hopkins this year. She had no ECs except for Art Club and Lit Mag (president/co-founder), both of which she started her senior year. GPA wasn't so great, either--I believe around a 3.5 weighted, with a rigorous courseload in math/science but not overall (did not take AP Lit or APUSH, which are offered as honors replacements, and only two years of Latin which she finished with straight Cs--however, she did take a year of post-BC calculus). She applied to a lot of top schools, only accepted to Hopkins as a female engineer. Her dicey academics probably balances with the female engineer hook, methinks.</p>
<p>The irony is what you're describing is almost perfectly acceptable in a place like the U.K. In my opinion, it's a more sensible system and is based purely on academic merit. Granted, most students in the U.K. are still engaged in extracurricular activities at some level, especially since they can help demonstrate personality in the interview (which is given as much weight by U.K. schools as it is by med schools here in the U.S.). So, if you're looking for a place where the student you described would be likely to succeed...move to the U.K.? lol</p>
<p>Applying to Oxbridge doesn't sound like a bad idea.</p>
<p>They like this, a lot:
[quote]
SATs are 2350+ Also lots of APs with 5s.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>But on the subject of U.S. schools, there are plenty of things you could put on your application that don't necessarily involve verifiable paperwork.</p>
<p>^Yep, I live in the UK, and students here are definitely a lot more focused on one subject only. The disadvantage is that you pretty much have to decide what you want to study before you start university.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You will probably not get into top 25 schools unless your in-state public is a top 25-school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>People with few ECs get into top colleges. Granted, it's a bit unlikely, but getting into top colleges is unlikely for most. 2350, 3.8? Lower ivies might take you if you apply ED, as well as many other schools. People who have absolutely no ECs (however, may have done a few things to "resume pad" - idk) have gotten into Harvard from my school. They were, however, incredibly smart and had the best test scores and grades they could get.</p>
<p>Seriously guys? They would only be able to get into a top 25 college if their state university is a top 25 college?</p>
<p>With a 4.0 and a 2350, which is beyond 99% percentile (he would be approximately in the top 1000 students in the entire nation with those scores. <a href="http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat_percentile_ranks_2008_composite_cr_m_w.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat_percentile_ranks_2008_composite_cr_m_w.pdf</a> CC seriously makes a 2350 look underrated ~_~), he would be able to get into any college he wants if he puts forth the effort. Learning in and of itself is an Extracurricular, a passion. I don't see why a person has to make a club or two, or throw a ball around just impress adcoms. That's ridiculous.</p>
<p>If you have an inherent love for learning, then write about that in your essay. As long as it is well-written essay, you can present your passions truthfully. There's no lying or stretching the truth. It becomes who you are and what you have become because of this learning process. Write about the struggles you've gone through and how you find learning fun and endearing to your heart. Maybe there are little mind games that go on in your head whenever you learn new things or you do it so you can one day appear on Jeopardy or Who wants to be a millionaire. </p>
<p>What kind of world is it when we HAVE to do certain things after school just to be looked at. College is a place of learning to further our knowledge and experiences not impressing people. Having EC's being mandatory just to get in doesn't make sense.</p>
<p>Granted I have plenty of EC's myself because I enjoy sports and things like Knowledge Bowl and Math Team. I do these because I ENJOY them, not because they look good on my resume. ~_~</p>
<p>Top student (top 1 or 2%), Perfect Test Scores, decent EC's but no leadership.......<br>
THAT non-hypothetical student is getting dinged right and left.</p>
<p>Just some anecdotal evidence in my household....</p>
<p>i dont have GREAT grades,nor GREAT ECs......does that mean that i have no hope if im aiming for low ivies or equal?</p>
<p>d101parent:</p>
<p>I sure hope not next year, because that model fits my S at present to a T (well, not sure on the test scores yet except for Math II at 800 BUT he's taking college level math with linear algebra and multivariable calculus.)</p>
<p>Since there are only so many leadership positions on any team/club, and I've read that colleges prefer depth with the ECs (e.g. several years at the same thing vs dabbling all over the map), I can't see why a kid who doesn't have an "officer" position should be dinged. Why?</p>
<p>I may suggest my "non-officered" S write an essay on how one leads without having the title, because this happens in the real world all the time. In his case, he can use one example. He's been with mock trial since MS. However, his commitment to sports (lots of after school time for these) doesn't also allow him to be a mock trial attorney any more, in all fairness to the team. However, he's made himself into a fine witness role (and showed the other witnesses how to do it), because he did the lawyer role before. He's won awards for it. He's leading all right, to the point that the mock trial members have begged him to drop the water polo and swim team so he'd have the time to be an attorney next year.</p>
<p>i know somebody who has a 2400 single sitting and is salutorian of a competitive school, but does not have very many ECs... maybe religious group activities, but not much beyond that. we'll see where he gets in. he is such a nice person, and i think most of my school hopes that he can get in to HYP.</p>
<p>Perhaps this student might consider foreign universities that care much more about academic achievement and expertise than EC's.</p>