<p>Dude pick up an EC that you really enjoy; though I’m really glad you made the explicit comment that you don’t want to do something JUST because it’d look good on your application to colleges… however, it sounds like you need an EC anyway because you seem to be a very passionate person who could contribute a lot to a group that you find interesting.</p>
<p>You seem to have a pretty good perspective on yourself, your qualifications, and what ‘top schools’ are looking for; however, remember that there are a lot of schools that you haven’t seen yet. You’re in Oregon? Check out Reed College. Start a thread on what you’re looking for in a college and see how many helpful, knowledgeable parents and students respond with schools you probably hadn’t even thought of.</p>
<p>Honestly, yeah, come to think of it, look into Liberal Arts Colleges. Maybe I’m biased (though a year ago my top choices were Penn, Hopkins and UVA and when my counselor told me to look at Swarthmore I actually laughed in his face…)… But could you maybe through out some criteria for what you’re looking for in a school? Granted you’re not going to be a senior next year but junior year is a good year to visit because I found that senior year I was way too busy to fit in all the visits I wanted to do.</p>
<p>Transferring is totally an option; it’s always an option. But don’t let that possibility stop you from looking at places that aren’t HYPS!</p>