Hello! My name is Susie, and I’m going to be a junior this fall. I am an above average student, with an unweighted 3.83 GPA, I have taken honors and AP when available, and next year my schedule is going to be very rigorous. I think I’m okay academically, however, my problem lies in extracurriculars. I have been in wind ensemble since I was a freshman (which is very impressive) and am now principal bass clarinet. Being in Wind Ensemble requires weekly two-hour evening rehearsals during second semester. Our band is also highly revered in the state for musical excellence, if that makes a difference. I also play tenor saxophone in Jazz Band II, which requires me to be at school an hour earlier than the regular student body, because it takes place during zero period. I go to almost every single pep band game and play to support our athletic department. Last year, I was also in an AP Euro study group that met Wednesdays and Fridays, if that counts for anything. Oh, and I’m doing journalism next year. My fear, though, is that this isn’t good enough. I have been unable to take part in extracurriculars that could interfere with my family responsibilities. I have four younger siblings that I often take care of, ranging in age from 1 to 13. My youngest brother I don’t take care of as often because he goes to a babysitter on weekdays, but I care for my other brothers (6, 9,13) every week day, and sometimes during the weekend. On weekends, I also care for my baby brother. When I get home, I walk to the bus stop to pick my brothers up, go home and take care of them. I feed them, dispell their arguments, tutor them (In the 5-year-old’s case, I taught him to read), clean the house, and act the role of a caregiver. They are an absolute handful and are a major stressor in my life. My 13-year-old brother also has ADHD and is highly irresponsible, so he can’t be left with my younger siblings. I receive no payment or gratitude from my parent’s, and when they get home around 6:30, I go and do my homework. During the summer, it’s a similar situation. I cook, clean, and care for my brother’s and I’m not allowed to leave. My parents are not supportive of me and don’t care about extracurriculars or college admission. My mom had me when she was 15, and she never graduated from high school, and my stepdad graduated, but never went on to further education. I will be the first person in my family to go to college. We have also struggled significantly financially over my lifetime, and have never been able to afford activities. I’m also half Mexican. Considering my situation, do you think I could be admitted to top universities? I have not taken the SAT yet, so I don’t know where I am on that spectrum, unfortunately, but what do you think? Not Ivy League, per se, but more selective universities? Thank you!
It’s impossible to know how you would fair in selective university admissions without SAT scores, but once you have those, you’ll have a better idea of how competitive your application profile is. In regards to your extracurriculars, definitely talk about your music activities, your journalism, and in essays, absolutely talk about your unique family circumstances. Schools want to see what sort of person you are, so it’s not so much about the number of ECs as it is about seeing how you would fit in at the school. If you’re applying to be a music major, then this might be fine, but if not, then you do want to have other activities to talk about. Often, people will have other ECs that they didn’t think about at first - have you maybe been involved in any religious organizations, been a teacher assistant for a class, or held a part-time job? Those are all the types of things you could use to round out your profile. Additionally, if you have accomplishments and awards, those fall under a similar category to ECs and could round out your profile as well.
First of all, I would like to congratulate you for doing so well in school while taking on such enormous family responsibilities at home. This needs to be included in your application and it will absolutely be looked at favorably by colleges. Your participation in music is also very impressive. In my opinion, and based on what we were told at many colleges that we visited, your extracurricular activities- which include your family obligations- are impressive. Don’t sell yourself short. You do need to take the SAT and /or ACT, but you know that already.
You are first generation and low income. I believe you have an excellent shot at great schools -I would love to see you get accepted to schools that meet full need. Keep us posted as there are some very knowledgeable people here who can help.
You are to be commended- congratulations!
Family obligations are considered EC’s. Please please please make sure to list them when the time comes.
Wind Ensemble, 9-12 grades, 2 hours/week. Only one of two freshman invited to wind ensemble.
Jazz Band, 9-12 grades, 5 hours per/week. Tenor Saxophone
Pep Band, 9-12 grades, x hours per week.
Concert Band, 9-12 grades, z hours per week.
Journalism, 12 grade, y hours per week, SPorts editor (or whatever)
Babysitting, 9-12 grades, 15 hours per week, 3 siblings. Including making meals, discipline, tutoring, cleaning, working with ADHD sibling.
Sounds good to me! Make sure you treat babysitting like any other ECs.
I do alumni interviews and interviewed someone similar to you…he couldn’t do many ECs because he had to watch his brother…he explained that his parents were divorced/getting divorced and he noticed that his little brother was kind of falling through the cracks…so he signed him up for a sport and also made sure to help with homework…he too felt like he didn’t have many ECs but he did! and he showed leadership too.
SO ECs wise you are fine…but work on studying for SAT/ACT (Khan Academy on line is good and free) so you can maximize your chances. Also check into Questbridge for scholarships if you have a low family income.
(Yay Bass Clarinet!)
Thank you all so much!! This has been very helpful 
I’m feeling a bit better about my applications