Help with ECs

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello there, I am a freshman attending a relatively affluent private high school in the Bay Area. I would like some advice on ECs because I have read a few posts describing the nature of some ECs that I would say, are quite extraordinary. I would like to be admitted into some relatively selective colleges, and I do realize ECs are important in the application. I might as well start building good ECs now, right? The problem is, however, I do not know how to start these fundraisers or organizations. What are good community service projects? What are good summer programs to apply to? or what should I do during my summer? I am very interested in math (currently taking calc bc, so I'd say its one of my fortes), science, computer science, and the environment. I also want to start a research project in a lab with perhaps a professor as a mentor. Again, I have no idea how to go about doing this.</p>

<p>Just for the point of doing so, I will list my current ECs (however ordinary they may be :()
-Violin/Piano for several years, played in a few concerts/recital
-Tennis
-Soccer
-Cross Country
(I'm considering dropping cross country in soph year to concentrate on soccer/tennis...should I?)
-Community Service in SF Food Bank
-Took an ATDP course last summer</p>

<p>As you can see, nothing fancy...just what a normal teenager would do.</p>

<p>Thank You!</p>

2

<p>Only drop xc if you really don’t like it, it will help you be captain of soccer/tennis team, or if it takes up too much time and is conflicting with your grades. I’m curious though on how you can do both soccer and xc both, because at my school, they both are activities in the fall season. Unless you meant club soccer, then it’s all good. But look, people really can’t tell you what <em>good</em> ec’s are, or what ec’s YOU should do, because everyone has different circumstances. Basically for the summer programs its really up to you. There’s a summer program thread if you need more information, or just google it and visit any school’s website. Ask someone who has started fundraisers or organizations about… how to start a fundraiser or organization… lol. overall, don’t participate in Ec’s just to impress college adcoms, but do them because you truly love them. :)</p>

3

<p>^At my school, xc is in the fall and soccer is in the winter (california weather :D). As I said, I’m interested in the math and sciences, but I’m just lost on where to start. I looked at the summer program thread and for most of them, you have to be a junior or senior. Any info. on research programs, like at a college lab or something?</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply!</p>