<p>So, I applied to HYPSM, and I really just want to get into one. Here are my stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.87/4.5 Unweighted/Weighted
Class Rank: 31/540 Competitive Public School</p>
<p>SAT: Never took it.
SAT II: 750 US History, 800 Math 2
ACT: 34 (first and last sitting)
AP Exams: 5's in English Language, Chemistry, Calculus AB, World History, US History
Senior Course Rigor: 5 AP Classes, 1 Honors class.</p>
<p>ECs:
-JROTC: Held a leadership position
-Work: Low income, I've been working 10 hours a week for the last few years
-Make a Wish Club:Officer
-Unpaid tutoring
-Science Club </p>
<p>Wrote a very, very good Common App essay. My supplements were average at best. I got two really strong recommendations, however. </p>
<p>Awards:
Nothing major, some essay contests and some EC awards. Also some school academic awards, but nothing huge.</p>
<p>I'm Puerto Rican, and I'm first generation college, if that helps. </p>
<p>A lot of awards for school academics, a couple for writing contests, and some awards related to the ECs I’m in. My EC list isn’t complete. I’ve been doing Mixed Marshall Arts and I’m also part of some honor clubs at my school. </p>
<p>@Shutterstock I think they’re talking about the lack of “traditional ECs,” such as sports, music & etc. However, as a low income student, it is perfectly understandable to not be able to devote much time to these due to family responsibilities -such as working, in your case. Working and volunteering are perfectly valid activities. However, colleges will be more concerned with the depth/quality of the ECs rather than the quantity. How long have you been working? Do you use your earnings to help at home? How much have you spent volunteering as a tutor? How involved are you in the science club? The time/effort/commitment given to these ECs + whether they show passion or not (as revealed through your essays) will determine your admission! </p>
<p>I’m not looking for excuses here, but I had to limit the amount of ECs I joined because I spent time after school and during the weekends working for my family. But of the ones I was involved in, I would participate, and I wasn’t just another name on the roster. I wrote about my activities in my essays, so hopefully, as you said, my commitment will show. I guess when it comes to Tier 1 schools it’s impossible to tell what will happen. </p>
<p>You already got into RICE AND USC!? What are you even doing on this site. I would gift my left leg to attend either institution Congratulations. STOP WORRYING! :)</p>
<p>Reach for everyone, although your chances are pretty much as solid as you can get without being legacy/recruited athlete, but lol@everyone saying your ECs are bad.</p>
<p>10 hours a week working for several years is more impressive than, say, joining a dozen random clubs that you’ve shown no other clear interest in. </p>
However, colleges will be more concerned with the depth/quality of the ECs rather than the quantity. How long have you been working? Do you use your earnings to help at home? How much have you spent volunteering as a tutor? How involved are you in the science club? The time/effort/commitment given to these ECs + whether they show passion or not (as revealed through your essays) will determine your admission! </p>