<p>Hey, I'm a junior who's currently STRESSING about college apps next year.</p>
<p>I have a very, very weak list of ECs. Right now it stands as this:</p>
<ul>
<li>Member of Environment Club</li>
<li>Member of Amnesty Club</li>
<li>Volunteer for Red Cross</li>
<li>Exchange Student Program</li>
<li>Winner of a writing challenge (won a sum of money in the triple digits)</li>
</ul>
<p>what else can i do to beef up my list? i'm aiming to get 100+ volunteer hours, but what else can i do? i'm thinking about making an online blog and publishing my short films on youtube. could i add "blog" and "short films" as an EC? those are passions of mine, unlike mindless volunteering...</p>
<p>other relevant info: i take AP and honors classes only, and i have a 3.7 GPA currently. i'm aiming for a 2100 SAT score. (practice test i got a 1850)</p>
<p>I think that you can join some summer program if you r done with the SAT I in your Junior year.</p>
<p>whatever you do, make sure you do it great and with a genuine passion. That sounds cheesy but it really is the best route to making your EC's stand out.</p>
<p>Your list is pretty average and weak because there is not central focus- I get no sense of what your passions or interests are. Find your passion, something unique and cultivate your activities around that- through the already conventional means and then the unique ones. As a junior, it may seem like you do not have enough time, but you really do if you try and put your heart into it. </p>
<p>For example, if you are interested in film, then take a couple of film courses at the local college or something about fine arts to demonstrate passion and so you can learn about it. Create your own film and enter it in film festivals and contests to generate recognition for your talents. Apply a humanitarian side to the passion: teach a group of inner city kids about music, fine arts, film making, extra-curriculars, etc.(simply go the local nonprofit that caters to that demographic and ask to teach a class! it's much easier than it sounds). There's so much you can do with your own talents and time if you have the dedication. However, don't simply go for 'meaningless' volunteer hours if it doesn't mean anything to you because that wastes your time and your college admissions reader. Do things you enjoy, take it to the next level (by showing leadership, inventiveness, passion, and dedication) and you'll be fine- a better person for having realized your passions and interests!</p>
<p>thanks for the advice!! i think i'll definitely try submitting some films into contests and i'll try to find some groups where i can teach kids or elderly folk about music and films.</p>
<p>also--filming is just sort of a side passion of mine. i don't necessarily want to pursue it for the rest of my life... would that somehow make an impact in me getting accepted into college if my intended major is something completely unrelated to film?</p>