<p>I am originally from the UK, and now live in the US. Many people comment on how important it is to have strong ECs. On the University of Cambridge website, it says that the school looks for academic excellence, and doesn't really say anything about ECs. I have seen on websites for Ivies and other top colleges here in America that they look for people who will best serve the community and lead the community and similar statements. I plan to go to college here, and am wondering how important are ECs to get into an Ivy League or something similar? If they are very important, what are examples of some that are good?
Would schools like Caltech and MIT have less expectations for community service type ECs?</p>
<p>Admissions are way different in the US and ECs are typically weighted more at top tier schools. “Good” ECs can be nearly anything you do outside of school as long as you put serious work into them or show leadership abilities through them. They can range anywhere from playing an instrument to founding a charity knitting club.</p>
<p>Caltech likes to see math/science/engineering ECs, but it doesn’t hurt to have a nice variety. MIT admissions are more holistic, I think.</p>
<p>You can google “XYZ University Common Data Set” and those will tell you how heavily a school weighs GPA, test scores, ECs, volunteer work, etc.</p>
<p>The Ivies and other “top colleges” get far more applications than they possibly can accept from students with excellent grades and scores. So yes, ECs can be important factors at those schools. They generally are looking for evidence of “passion”, excellence, or leadership rather than a laundry list of activities.</p>
<p>A student typically needs to qualify for a school academically before ECs are usually taken into account (unless the student is a football player or something). ECs can be anything a person is interested in/passionate about. I can be community service, music, sports, church activiites, scientific research, etc. I agree with tk21769 that a long list of activities is not impressive to admissions officers as dedicated interest and leadership in a small number of activities.</p>
<p>“I am originally from the UK, and now live in the US.”</p>
<p>Are you currently in high school here, do you board in the UK or elsewhere during the school year, or have you completed your secondary education already?</p>
<p>If you are in high school here, your own guidance counselor can help you with your college list. Your parents should have a chat with the guidance counselor and some of the teachers at your high school as well so that they can better understand the college admission process here.</p>
<p>Your immigration status will affect admissions and financial aid, so if you aren’t a US citizen or legal permanent resident, you do need to contact the admissions and financial aid offices of each place on your list, and ask about your specific situation.</p>