How do I improve my current EC's on my application?

Applying to College
1

Hey guys,
I am a junior in high school and will be applying next year. My dream school would be Harvard, but I will also be applying to UVA, Georgetown, William and Mary, UMich, and some other schools (I haven’t put a ton of thought into where I will be applying yet)
Anyhow, my grades and strandardized test scores are great so far, but I do not think I have any stellar EC’s
Sports: N/A
Music: I have done concert band/jazz band/ marching band throughout high school but have no leadership position. Currently third chair in my band, will hopefully be second next year.
Model UN: fun club, joined in my sophmore year, but I have no leadership position or noteable awards
NHS / FHS: in NHS we don’t do anything accept volunteer, and in FHS the only real thing we do is throw a “crepe party” every year. No leadership position either
Cup of Java: it’s a programming club, and I will hopefully be able to place at a competition this year and possibly get a leadership position next year.
Volunteering: This is the only EC I’m legit proud of. I have done peer tutoring since middle school and have also volunteered at animal shelters, food banks, and fundraisers for cancer research. I haven’t really been counting but I should have over 500 hours by the time I graduate (some of these hours were required, but some I did on my own volition)
Job experience: Internship at marketing department of a medical supply company summer before junior year. I thought it would be good but the only thing I got out if it was that I do NOT enjoy marketing. I am also trying to work part time at Harris Teeter to save up for college, but I don’t think bagging groceries will look impressive.

So yeah, I am a bit worried I have to much breadth and not enough depth. Music was probably the EC that took up the most of time (especially marching band) but I don’t have much to show for it. I don’t have ANY leadership positions except possibly COJ next year. I guess my questions are:

  1. What can I do to make sure I don’t look like I had any meaningful out-of-classroom commitments?
  2. Should I drop some EC’s or not include EC’s that I don’t have much to show for on my app?
  3. Will not having a leadership position hurt me ?
  4. Should I perhaps add an EC that broadcasts an area of interest? I am much into fashion and spend a lot of my free time shopping / browsing male fashion blogs or youtube channels. Should I try to start my own? Is “blogging” a valid EC?

I should add that if my EC’s seem unfocused, its because I totally am and have zero idea what my major will be. I really like biology and economics though. I plan on applying undecided.

I never really tried to take on a ton of EC’s to make it look good for college, I just got super excited when I joined a public high school my sophmore year and took to many activities and now I realize I probably should have focused on a few things.

Thank you for reading my incredibly long post! Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

2

Your ECs are impressive(esp. volunteer work)! I think that you should include the things you’ve been in for the longest. Leave ECs out at your discretion, but I would leave them in. Having a leadership position is nice, but not having one won;t hurt you. You’re a junior- meaning that you are eligible to become an NHS officer. (side note: bagging groceries IS FINE MAN colleges dont expect you to work for NASA (yes, including Harvard!) at least you are doing something)

DO IT. RUN FOR OFFICE. (If you want.)

Remember, you don’t have to have a leadership position to be a leader. Start a school magazine about fashion maybe? Make a fashion club? Collaborate with NHS to make some kind of fashion event which will benefit a charity that you’re passionate about.

Your ECs don’t have to be specific (the less specific, the more it shows that you;re well rounded tbh!)
YES YES 1000% yes please start a blog/youtube channel!!

Creating and a maintaining a channel is HARD WORK and can demonstrate your skills

  • SEO
  • Video Editing
  • Filmography
  • Social Media Promotion
  • Time Management
  • Image Manipulation/Editing

Plus, it would give you material to write your apps on!
(if you do ever get around to starting a channel or blog, send me the link - I’d love to support you)

Since you are a junior, I would highly consider applying early to schools that allow it. Even if it’s not your dream school - apply (and keep applying - only if you have time) to keep your options OPEN.

Columbia offers applications for juniors and Oberlin does too. Look around, apply if you have time and like I said earlier, keep applying.

My friend applied for Vanderbilt under QuestBridge and was rejected. She applied again come January and she was accepted! You never know… (and it wasn;t even her dream school, fancy that!)

3

Thanks for your advice. I’ll definetly start cracking on that blog/channel. I really liked your idea about making a fashion event for a charity. I will definetly look into applying early.
Thanks agan!