<p>Do colleges take into account what you're actually capable of doing? My family can't pay for private school, SAT tutors, ivy league summer programs, music lessons, more than one retake for Collegeboard tests, etc.</p>
<p>I go to a public school that only offers so much, and my community doesn't have overwhelmingly many opportunities. Am I at a disadvantage unless I go instigate world peace?</p>
<p>My EC's are way under par what other people on here are doing. I am the president of my school's Environmental Club, in Spanish Honor Society, help in the Writing Center at school, am active in my youth group, and play guitar for my church's band. I thought that was great until I saw everybody else's ridiculous qualifications, haha. :-</p>
<p>i don't think you have much to worry about as long as you are taking full advantage of every opportunity that you DO have...colleges realize that not everyone is part of the upper class</p>
<p>i completely understand where your coming from. I do my best to find as many free summer programs, and opportunities as i can. One thing that doesn't cost money (not all of them anyway) is competitions (state, national). I'm starting to get involved in those a lot. Colleges like applicants who win competitions at state, national, and international levels. Good luck with your EC's, and your overall college admission. :)</p>
<p>Colleges like leaders and founders. Is there any way that you could create a new activity, new community service project, new publication, etc. etc. That is something you can do that doesn't cost anything. A boy in my time organized a march through different racial neighborhoods stopping at different churches along the way where the religious leaders spoke to them. That's something that doesn't really cost anything but shows leadership and creativity. Good luck!!</p>
<p>^ That's a great idea. I was actually thinking of starting a group at school that would fundraise for the ONE campaign, or an organization with similar goals. Thank you.</p>
<p>Organize your own events.
Volunteer.
Get a job.</p>
<p>Three things that do not cost money that colleges like to see. Good luck!</p>
<p>Comrade.. Finally.. I met someone who has the same situation as I.</p>
<p>I'm president of environmental club, and a member in envirothon. My family is in destitution. My step-father bankrupted twice in his life, and as a result, he suffered from serious depression. My mom don't speak english well, and i came to america in 2004 from china (from a pooooooooor state in china, it's like Nebraska in U.S)
lol
I have no idea what college should i apply...</p>
<p>It's nice to see someone who can agree!</p>
<p>I can't really complain that much, though. I'm a white, lower-middle class kid whose parents don't have the means to shell out the dough for everything. They're teachers; go figure, haha.</p>
<p>Hopefully we'll find places in good colleges despite whatever setbacks. Good luck!</p>
<p>"My EC's are way under par what other people on here are doing."</p>
<p>People on here are weird. :) Don't worry too much about them. The insanely above-average students only make up a tiny percentage of the overall undergraduate population. You'll be fine.</p>
<p>Don't worry too much. Colleges will understand your situation. If you're really worried, you could always explain (don't whine) to them about it. Also the finding of free activities to do is a good idea. Good luck :)</p>
<p>By the way, would you mind chancing me? <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=363142%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=363142</a></p>
<p>I wouldn't worry. Ivy League admissions officers almost make a point of saying that they look at each applicant in context. If your school only offers a small number of AP classes or extracurriculars, but you took full advantage of these opportunities, you would be looked at very favorably.</p>
<p>Also, not all great things that colleges like to see cost a lot of money. I and many of my friends headed to Ivy League schools did not use SAT tutors or prep courses. The science research program I participated in last summer was completely free, and for community service I volunteered in a great local program rather than spending thousands of dollars to visit a foreign country. Just take advantage of the opportunities around you and they will surely recognize it.</p>
<p>Hey! :D Just like you, I'm from a poorish (economically lower middle class) white family supported solely by my mom, a teacher, and I didn't/couldn't do "private school, SAT tutors, Ivy League summer programs, music lessons, more than one retake for Collegeboard tests, etc." Just like several people on this thread have already said, colleges judge you based on what opportunities you have had, and if financial problems and lack of offerings in the community have been a problem, they'll realize that. :) </p>
<p>That said, if you get a job and save up some money, like I did, then one of these summers (preferably the summer before 12th grade) you can go do something that does cost money--travel, volunteer or study abroad, do a summer program, whatever. Often if you make your own travel arrangements and everything, rather than go with a tour group, you can get by with spending a lot less money than you might have in mind when you think of "summer program" type activities. :)</p>
<p>Many colleges look for diversity when they choose applicants for their freshman class, and that includes economic diversity.</p>
<p>Good luck. And don't worry! :)</p>