<p>I've spent all my scholarity in the French School system.
Given that we have classes from 8 am to 6.30 pm + large amounts of homework, there is very little free time left.</p>
<p>Needles to say, my EC's are less than impressive. On top of that, the french system does not offer Advanced Placement classes or any equialent, and academic organizations are overall inexistent. </p>
<p>Would it be wise to include a short explanation of this in the additional information section, or are coelleges aware of this ? I do not want to sound like I'm making excuses, I only intend to explain why my curriculum is so different (and at a glance may seem inferior) from the one of a US applicant.</p>
<p>colleges are probably not aware of that, but at the same time, I think it’ll sound like an excuse.</p>
<p>Try to squeeze up whatever interest you have to put in the application.</p>
<p>And I’m rather surprised by the French system. To be honest, I thought most European countries besides UK had a laid back education system. I guess not</p>
<p>Colleges are perfectly aware that the European school system is different: the high school curriculum is standardized, most classes are AP-level and there is generally much less focus on extracurricular achievement. However, colleges want students who will get involved on campus, so there is no excuse for no activities at all. </p>
<p>By the way, extracurricular activities don’t have to be organized by your school. A part-time job is an EC. Playing a sport in a private club is an EC. Taking music lessons or playing in an ensemble is an EC. Leading a youth group is an EC.</p>
<p>If you want reassurance that colleges are aware of your high school curriculum, look for their high school transfer credit policy. Most colleges will say that they award a semester’s or year’s worth of credit for a French baccalaureate. They value the curriculum!</p>
<p>I do have some extra-curricular activites, I was just worried that my curriculum would look somewhat “thin”. I guess I’ll just try to show in my application that I do plan to get involved on campus…</p>
<p>maruhan2-> the french system is really demanding.I think a score of 15/20 is equivalent to an A+ …</p>