<p>I was just wondering if I am woefully lacking in extracurriculars. I go to a very small private school without any of the typical clubs (no band, student government, debate team, etc.) and honestly I haven't pushed to "create" opportunities to do things. I love theater and music, though I think I will at most minor in them. I'm trying to get a significant scholarship at the best college possible (I have a 3.9 and 2320 SAT). So, here's my list:</p>
<p>11 years of piano
Lincoln Park Summer School of the Performing Arts Alumna (replacement for the PA Governor's School of the Arts which got canceled this year due to budget shortfalls. I applied in piano and theater)
Choir</p>
<p>School Newspaper</p>
<p>Lead in play in 11th grade
Lead in play in 10th grade
Participation in play in 8th grade
Co-taught drama elective</p>
<p>Cross country in 9th and 10th grade
Basketball in 10th grade
Volleyball in 11th and 12th grade</p>
<p>Missions trip to Dominican Republic in 2007
Volunteering at church in form of babysitting for bible study and nursery
Played piano for youth group and worship
Worked basically for free at Pinebrook Retreat center summer 2007 and 2008
Employed at Five Guys Burgers and fries this summer</p>
<p>This year I plan to:
Be a teacher's aid
Teach a literature elective
Edit school newspaper</p>
<p>It’s not the quantity of ECs that matter, it’s the quality (depth of interest). Colleges want to see that you have a passion and follow it. From your list I see you have a passion for drama and religious activities. You’ve also got a nice variety of sports and a job. Looks fine to me.</p>
<p>Don’t go fishing around for something else to join just to fatten up your resume. Your time is too valuable for that - use it for things you care about. (Some kids found a club just so they can be the president of it something - colleges can see right through that.) Contrary to what CC may lead you to believe, you do not have to cure cancer or found a major charity to get into college!</p>
<p>Great. I needed to hear that. So many scholarships have catch-phrases like “outstanding leadership ability” and “making a difference in the community.” I feel like my activities have not been that exceptional, but on the other hand, I have truly wanted to do them.</p>
<p>One way that helps me to understand it: would you prefer a student who fought against the school board to instate a newspaper, then compiled a class-act group of writers who promoted changes around the school with their articles, then won a national award for their investigative journalism, or someone in drama, choir, newspaper, NHS, Math Club, etc, etc, etc who only went to one meeting each? Most of us fall within these extremes, but you’re probably going to be leaning towards that first category; you weren’t in a ton, but you excelled at your work.</p>
<p>One thing you have to remember is that when all is said and done, most students end up never knowing whether their ECs helped them get in or not. Of course, the recruited athletes may have a good idea…or the ones who had to audition into a very exclusive music program. But everybody else? Who knows? My son was admitted to all schools to which he applied, but none were reaches. I’d just love to ask every school, “Did you care at all that he was an Eagle Scout?”</p>
<p>There are many more merit scholarships available based on your GPA/Test Scores than there are for any particular EC. Schools for which you fall above the mid-50% range for GPA and SAT will be more likely to offer you merit awards than schools where you would be a “typical” student. With your stats, that means there are a LOT of great schools that might offer you a merit scholarship, but not the Ivys. </p>
<p>As for “leadership,” you co-taught a class, and did your retreat work or Mission Trip involve heading up any projects or activities? Being the lead in a play is also a type of leadership role. Leadership doesn’t always come with a title of “President”.</p>
<p>How your ECs stack up depends upon the level and type of college and scholarships you’re aiming for.</p>
<p>If you’re willing to/interested in attending a religiously affiliated college, I think you might have good luck with the scholarships since you obviously have demonstrated interest in your faith.</p>
<p>One tip if you are thinking about any small local scholarships - see if you can get a copy of the application form early, or talk to someone who applied last year. Some of them are a whole lot of work for just a few hundred dollars…by the time the applications come out, lots of kids can’t stand to write one more essay, so few complete the applications (making the competition less for those who do take the trouble to apply.)</p>