So I’m having sort of an issue. Being from a first generation immigrant and college family, it was never really stressed that ECs would be very important in college admissions. In freshman and sophomore year, I made good grades and have good course rigor, but I barely participated in any ECs. Just a couple clubs and a part-time job. Some honors societies, but those are fluff.
This year, I’ve started doing more ECs, but will it look like I’m trying to fill my resume last minute?
Also, I’m thinking about whether I should join the ski team. It would be the only sport I participate in. Is it too late as a junior? Will it affect my admissions chances that much?
You can’t change the past so just move forward in a positive direction. Get involved in clubs you find interesting and look to make a meaningful contribution to them. Keep in mind that depth of involvement is much more important than the number of clubs you join so it is fine to have just a few ECs that you are very involved in. Join the ski team if you enjoy ski racing-- the ski team would be the equivalent of being involved in any other type of club (unless you become a recruited athlete). And FWIW a part-time job is typically viewed as the equivalent of an EC so that will be a positive.
I’m interested in schools like CWRU. I have a 4.0UW gpa and scored 99th percentile on the PreACT blind, without knowing the structure even. I should probably get a 35 or a 36 on the real deal. If I applied ED, would I have a decent chance in schools of similar calibre to Case if I can boost my ECs junior and senior year? What about to LACs like Davidson?