<p>OH NO!!
I have a great academic record with all A's and high test scores. However, as I start researching colleges and I look over all my activities for the past 4 years, I've noticed that I really don't have many outside activities aside from one sport (volleyball) and a few volunteering positions. Is there any chance for me to get accepted into any of the top colleges such as Harvard, UPenn, MIT, etc. based **almost **solely on my academics? Or should I just aim lower: UCR, UCSD, Cal States, etc.?</p>
<p>I haven't seen anyone getting in solely on academics (there are thousands just like you, so they need some way of differentiating among students). You can aim lower, but you don't have to aim too much lower. You could try mid-tier UCs (UCD, UCSB, UCI).</p>
<p>Aim for both, polkadots.</p>
<p>apply..u never know</p>
<p>Oh come on, just apply everywhere. </p>
<p>Anyway, there is a huge difference between applying to HYPSM and applying to the lower UC schools. </p>
<p>If your SAT/ACT scores are fabulous I don't see why you shouldn't have a chance at a few good schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for your encouragement! But if anyone knows someone who got into one of the top colleges without stellar extracurriculars, please let me know!! (it would make me feel a lot better).</p>
<p>My SAT scores:
SAT reasoning: 2320
SAT II: 800 in Math IIC, Biology E, and Chemistry</p>
<p>I would definitely join some varied ECs, but don't make it seem like you're just doing it to please adcoms. Do something you're actually interested in. If you're academically oriented, try quiz bowl. Hope this helps. </p>
<p>Oh, and this is my 200th post, yeah! :D</p>
<p>polkadots -- what do you do when you are not in school? What do you do all summer? Sometimes kids participate in activities that they do not realize can be used as ECs. do you work? blog or journal? cook? care for a younger sibling? train a dog?</p>
<p>Think about what you do besides go to school and study.</p>
<p>If volunteering and volleyball took up a significant amount of time, those are good, solid ECs. You might not stand out when applying to HYP -- but they are something. If your volunteer activities are in the same area, see if you can do something more significant with one of them this fall.</p>
<p>i think youll be fine if you exhibit passion in volleyball and volunteering..
colleges would rather see that you have passion in one area than doing a million other things without having any focus</p>
<p>I agree with hsmomstef.</p>
<p>I think you also have a chance at the top tier UCs (UCB, UCLA, UCSD). I would research UC admissions so you know what they are looking for. Take special care with your application, especially the essays.</p>
<p>hsmomstef, what do you mean? What activities can be used as ECs? I spend alot of time on Ummah forum which is where I try to portray a positive image of Islam and get into discussions with peopel. Would that count for anything? I'm also a moderator on another forum, but the forum is really small so it's not like theyneed mcuh moderation.</p>
<p>how do you know enough about Islam to feel comfortable discussing it with others? Are you active at your mosque? read and research the Qu'ran? I ask because these are all parts of an activity. You can combine different activities to form one, more significant, EC.</p>