Importance of Leadership ECs

Applying to College
1

<p>Currently a senior teetering on stress/emotional breakdown over college apps.</p>

<p>I attend one of the best public high schools in the nation, have a 92 avg, and a 2200 on the SATs. I know I'm not one of the shining stars in my school, which is already competitive as is and I am certainly not known to be some super overachiever but I am worried about my ECs. </p>

<ul>
<li>I have held an internship at a museum for nearly three years (name of the museum withheld for privacy reasons)--it isn't an amazingly famous museum but it is an old and respected institution and I think working at a museum is a unique experience.</li>
<li>I am a member of a philanthropy club that was started by two of my friends. I am a board member--director of communications (not president though)</li>
<li>I am currently a board member of our grade government (there are about six voted to the board each year) and I have been such board member for the past two years</li>
<li>I am a staff writer on the newspaper (not an editor--I have written many articles over the years though and writing is a strong suit for me)</li>
<li>I am an outreach ambassador at my school--since one has to go through a sort of admissions process to be admitted to my high school, these student ambassadors publicize the schools, give presentations, etc. (to be honest, we haven't done that much but there was a nomination process and all to become an ambassador)</li>
<li>Volunteering is a BIG part of my life and something I genuinely love doing. I have completed nearly 400 hours of community service (I don't really know if that's considered a lot or not--it just may seem like a lot to me since most of my friends rarely do community service)</li>
<li>I have also won a few regional Scholastic writing awards.</li>
</ul>

<p>That being said, I am not a president of any club and I'm worried that my ECs are meager when compared to all the other presidents out there and editors-in-chief and such. </p>

<p>I am not looking to get into Harvard or Yale or anything--my target schools are schools like NYU and Tufts w/ a few Ivy League reach schools. I just want to know how these ECs (or lack thereof?) will affect my chances--honest but constructive criticism would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks very much in advance!</p>

2

<p>you HAVE leadership ECs. they're good enough. now other things will come into play.</p>

3

<p>I think you need to step back a little. Colleges don't really care what you do (as long as its legal) as long as you express your true interests. Leadership is just one way of expressing passion and interest. There are many others. Do what you like the most. That might be dropping a class and work on some new club. Don't do anything thinking about how it will affect college admission because most likely it will only hurt your chances if you don't do what you love.</p>