How important are your ECs?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey everyone I'm currently a Junior in a private school in Canada.
I don't have much of a problem with my grades, like I have a 4.0 GPA, take the most rigorous classes my school offers, and my class rank would be something within the top 10 out of around 500 graduates, even though my school doesn't really rank students.....
I have only taken SAT reasoning and I got 2070. I will be taking it again in the fall and I think I can bring that up to a 2200ish.</p>

<p>Now I'm just worried about my extracurriculars.
I had been a peer tutor for three years, I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I will be the president of the student council in my school next year, but my teachers keep on telling me that I need to do more stuff "in society", or outside of the school.</p>

<p>Are your ECs really that important?? I really want to go to Princeton or Upenn though....
So do you guys have any suggestions? I still have around eight months before my apps are due.</p>

<p>p.s. I am Asian, so I know it kind of counts against me as we are kind of over represented in colleges....</p>

<p>p.p.s. What's special about me is that I went to high school in three different countries: U.S., China and Canada, and I have kept my academics outstanding throughtout my high school career despite constant change. Would this help me in any way?</p>

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<p>Oh btw I am planning on volunteering in a rural area in China when I have the summer off, is that a good idea?</p>

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<p>ec’s = finding your passion. colleges want to see a clear passion and that you have made the most of your opportunities.</p>

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<p>Yeah, teachers want to see you do good in the world. The colleges like students that are beneficial to society. better start volunteering ;)</p>

<p>I guess you could write a really interesting and unique essay about your high school experience - that’s pretty cool!</p>