<p>Just curious, since I dont have a whole lot of either. Ive done about 30 hours of teaching kids to ice skate at my local hockey rink, and plan on doing 10-20 more hours this summer of something else for the community. But my academics are pretty solid: I have a 4.22 UW GPA and all honors/AP classes. 2110 on the SATS, which I will be taking again. Im hoping my essays will be more important that ECs and CS...what do you think?</p>
<p>i should mention that i also play on varsity golf team (since frosh year, will be captain next year), fall cross country team, and am a member of FBLA. i will likely join Latin Club next year as well.</p>
<p>skibum, i think some people on this site get too worked up about EC’s and community service. just do what you love and do it with vigor and passion. what’s the worst that can happen? you’ll get better at what you love (and doors will open) and happiness will result. it may not be the school you think of at the moment. . .but it may well be, too. . . .life is odd and results are surprising. what academic pursuits do you enjoy and how do you manifest that pleasure?</p>
<p>best to you.</p>
<p>morandi, thats an excellent point. for the last 3 years of high school, those are the words ive lived by. at the same time however, ive begun to realize that in this incredibly competitive young generation, you have to be realistic and it reaches a point where if you want to get into the college of your dreams, you may have to (temporarily) sacrifice “doing what makes you happy”. ive tried to avoid that compromise, but if i want to get into schools like Brown and Middlebury, ill have to add some ECs, even if i dont necessarily enjoy them. you have a very good point though.</p>
<p>skibum, i believe the ad coms will see right through this as well. . .it’s crap, IMO. i’m a parent with two sons who have gone through this process. i also teach at a university full of students who achieve because they care. if this school doesn’t work out, another will. BTW, both son’s also play golf and one at the college level. who knows what schools are looking for, but i suspect it is someone who shows passion. trust your instincts.</p>