I’m a junior so this is what it will be when I apply
varsity swim 4 years
student senate (kind of like student gov) all four years
volunteer 100+hrs a year (for two years) at a community hospice house
worked a summer job/ internship at a healthcare facility
worked at a nursing home during school year
national honors society, national math honors society and national science honor society
awards: probably just the national ap scholar
I know that these ecs are pretty typical of most applicants, and certainly don’t stand out, but is it even worth starting something new at junior year since ecs are worth significantly less than gpa and tests? should i just focus on studying for the act/sat?
ONE point on your ACT will mean 500x more than another lame line on your EC list. Your ACT/SAT is enormously more important at this point. Heck, drop some of those you no longer find interesting. Your Junior and Senior year courses will be much harder. Focus on the GPA and excelling in your schedule. GPA and test scores are the MOST important factors of your application. Period.
most of these ecs are working, and I wanted to save money for college. I really enjoy swim, and its something that I would consider continuing in college. senate is just something that is actually kind of fun, as the group makes “bills” to improve the school (like a snack bill lol). as for the honor societies, I’l be honest, most of those are resume building.
If any of them detract from your GPA or tests, then it’s time to evaluate whether to drop them or not. Or do they enhance you overall by keeping you focused on your schedule? Only you can answer that. Working for money is commendable.
really the only ecs that detract from my gpa or tests are swim and work, as clubs at my school either meet only once a week. working is necessary for me to even think of going to college out of state, and swim is just something I would never drop because it is honestly my favorite thing ever. I will probably try to work less hours though if i think my grades are lacking.
It all depends where you are applying, but for the vast majority of colleges and universities you have excellent ECs. They show that you are involved in the leadership of the school, that you value scholarship, that you are a committed athlete and that you take time to volunteer.
At HYPSM however, your ECs would not set you apart from many of the other students who are applying.
There is no point or value in starting something new. Focus on what you have and talk about it in a fresh way. Your ECs are fine. Not everyone has to discover a new element!