I’m aiming at stanford, UC Berkeley, and Caltech. I just finished my freshman year in high school, but I don’t have any EC’s or Community service yet! What do you think I should do? I plan to volunteer at a hospital this fall until next year. I really need some ideas for EC’s and community service. Thanks.
<p>you just finished your freshman year? um... I don't think you should worry TOO much about colleges just yet, you need more time to look into them. Don't go after a college just for its name, there are plenty of differences between top schools. For example, Harvard is a terrible choice if you're a top student and you want to do engineering. Johns Hopkins is also a bad choice for engineer to-be's.</p>
<p>With that being said, here are a few ideas for EC's:</p>
<p>-try out for a sport you think you may like
-join some type of club
-find some kids at elementary/middle schools that you can tutor, there are always some that could use it (hey, I did it since I was a freshman, you can too)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, here's the bad news: If you've waited this long to get into EC's, it's really late. Most kids get into EC's in their elementary/middle school years so they can develop them and get REALLY good at the things they do. For example, I've played piano for 12 years (I'm 16 right now), and I've performed in foreign countries, but there would be no way I could've gotten that good without starting early.</p>
<p>I've done 1600+ hours at a home for handicapped children. I go because I like it. I feed the kids and play with them...take them outside. Most of my CS hours have been spent there.</p>
<p>As for ECs...I've been school to school, so it's hard to get really into them, sadly. But my clubs/groups involve writing, my passion, and some involve CS. Then there's the random ol' ping-pong club. But I love it. :)</p>
<p>It comes to this: do what you like. Connect your ECs to your at home/outside school hobbies.</p>
<p>I've played the piano since for 5 years, and I do basketball and volleyball team at my school. But piano counts as EC? I've performed in front of public about 4 times that's it. And a few recitals <--does this count as EC?</p>
<p>Yes, piano can count. I play piano as well...try to get involved in an organization or piano studio. they can set up some pretty neat things, and give you more goals to attain. My studio got me into competitions and exams on top of recitals and ensembles. it was really fun and looks good on the app. If you do sports, try to letter, otherwise schools aren't going to look at it as if you have any skill. even try being a captain (shows leadership) by senior year</p>
<p>I agree that it is too early to be concerned about college, but never too early to get started on EC's, etc. Piano will count, as will basketball and volleyball. But that is hardly what it will take for you to get into the schools your interested. If you want to go into these schools as a science major, as it seems, try to accomplish something in the science realm (whatever you're interested in). That could be science olympiad, engineering club, etc. Community service...find something you like, & if you're kinda shy about it find one of your friends to go w/. Whatever you do, try to make a difference, not log hours. Go for the experience, not for the application. Ironically, that is what will help your application the most.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, yes i am interested in the science field (Computer science) and I got accepted into the Technology Staff at my school as a freshman (going on sophomore). In tech staff i will help teachers with computer problems, and do network maintainence around my school's campus. Will this counts as EC? (even though it's during school ours). Also, during my junior year, I will be webmaster (Head designer) of my high school's website.</p>
<p>Consider doing website/computer/technology related projects elsewhere in your community, either as a volunteer or for pay, i.e. setting up websites or doing some training for non-profits or community-based organizations, different clubs at your school, etc.</p>
<p>Also, consider doing something over the summer, just for the fun of it. Everything doesn't have to be geared toward trying to get into the perfect college or university.</p>