<p>I always read these successful transfer stories about people with low high school GPAs but high college GPAs who transferred to top schools, but what about ECs? How does one make the transition from having absolutely no significant ECs in high school to doing enough to be competitive as a transfer student (im talking about the likes of extremely unreachable colleges like cornell, for which i would never even consider as a freshman applicant)? my GPA sucks as well, but i will be sure to get a 4.0 in college. i am going to attend a college that is poor academically and socially. i basically have nothing going for me at all, but i really want to attend a top school.</p>
<p>the one thing id like is a list of accomplishments/awards/contests/etc. i could seek out when i am a college student, because they are set in stone (assuming they are annual or something). i wouldve tried a lot of these in high school if i had heard about them (e.g., AMC)...god. ive visited this forum for so long and have asked the same questions but i still dont know what to do. i truly have the passion for this but it seems so unlikely because i dont have any practical knowledge of things. i dont know the right people either, and i dont think my college will offer me anything significant that i could use to my advantage given my plan</p>
<p>For me, I came from a commuter school to NYU. So it’s not Ivy, but the same strategy can apply. </p>
<p>I basically picked a few things I could be VERY involved in rather than a bunch of things I was only half interested in. I interned, I played a varsity sport, and I was a student music teacher. The internship was through the career office, the varsity sport was recruiting new people at the club fair, and the student music teacher job was a program that my college ran. I didn’t have to pull any strings or ‘know people’, I just kept my eyes open and had an open mind. </p>
<p>Do you play an instrument? What’s your major? Can the career center help you find internships to apply for, maybe for second semester freshman year or the summer after freshman year? Every college has a student center, maybe there’s a newspaper or school website you can write for. </p>
<p>Granted, I had a TON of ECs coming out of high school, but I only had a few in college and I was accepted at NYU during my sophomore year.</p>
<p>Just dig a little deeper and do some more research. Good luck!</p>
<p>
I get your point, but what if I want to shoot a bit higher than NYU (im not doing wishful thinking; i just truly want to go to a particular school) and on top of that do not have a “ton of ECs coming out of high school”? All of those things listed are things I’ll consider (and do) by default, and I’ll hear about them when I get there. But I want to start looking now because I don’t think those things will be enough. I want to have more control of my opportunities. Time is of significance here.</p>
<p>BTW, youve given me advice before on this topic. i periodically ask this same question over and over again on this forum to keep myself knowledgeable, but i still dont think im comfortable going into college with nothing going for me if i do so with my mere eyes and ears open. perhaps there isnt anything else that can be said? or maybe i shouldnt be shooting so high. i will be applying to safeties but i really want to broaden my horizons even though i dont really deserve it</p>
<p>If you think you don’t deserve it then you’ve already failed. So you need to change that mindset. Like missamericanpie said just find a few ECs that you can devote time/effort to. Join PTK, and become an officer/president/etc. You could even find someone who was accepted to where you want to go and emulate them.</p>
<p>Missamericanpie has an excellent point. Focus on a handful of extracurricular activities that interest you. For example. if you’re interested in biology, establish and lead a life sciences organization at your university/college. Couple that with an internship at a small biotech firm or research lab (with specific details on your accomplishments) and you’ll have a winning resume.</p>
<p>However, essays are perhaps the most important part of an application after your GPA. Very few people know how to write a personal essay and instead (and unintentionally) write an academic one.</p>
<p>isnt phi theta kappa only for 2-year colleges? and what would that entail?</p>
<p>
how would I find these internships let alone partake in them? it seems like given my college’s environment (commuter) i wont have many opportunities handed to me. so i feel like i have to find them, but i dont know how. i will definitely do leadership things within my school though. but independent things like “research” seem exclusive to those who know the right people, are lucky, and are given many opportunities. i really want more options than just joining or starting a club, interning, or having a job. are there any national contests for college students or something? im interested in math and english</p>
<p>Your first step would be to research local business/organizations/firms that relate to your major. You must be aggressive and contact them directly, asking them about a potential internship/part-time job opportunity (even if they don’t have one, try to establish one), then follow up with a thank-you letter and resume.</p>
<p>Chances are you’ll get a a handful of responses, which will lead to a “warm” interview.</p>
<p>“i really want more options than just joining or starting a club, interning, or having a job. are there any national contests for college students or something? im interested in math and english”</p>
<p>I started an organization, took part in a couple internships, and worked part-time–and that was “enough” to get me into Brown. Universities want to see passion (at least that’s my hypothesis).</p>
<p>do you think that would be enough for me, considering you likely had a much better high school resume? just your opinion. ill just end the discussion there. my highest reach is cornell. id love to go there</p>
<p>Because you’ve already graduated from high school (correct me if I’m wrong), worry about what you can do now. I’m sure you can get into Cornell as long as you have the minimum requirements of a competitive applicant: 3.7+ GPA and two or three specific extracurricular activities that pertain to your major. The essay(s) part is highly subjective, but it is the make-or-break factor of your application. Work extremely hard on your personal statements and be sure to show, not tell, your passion(s) for math and English. Incorporate the two subjects if possible.</p>
<p>My friend has dismal high school stats (and now attends a community college) but will be attending Cornell in the fall for undergraduate business; she has demonstrated a huge academic and social transformation.</p>
<p>Plus, her essays were amazing.</p>
<p>I’m sure you can do it, too. Feel free to PM me if you’d like additional suggestions.</p>
<p>thanks a lot! ive always known essays were important, but have been just as stumped about what to write about as i am about extracurriculars. i guess they both go hand-in-hand. </p>
<p>anyway, thats it. ill definitely PM you in the future if i need additional advice</p>
<p>(no, i havent graduated yet. im still a senior)</p>