<p>As I've been reading around CC and looking at all these people who ask for their chances to be evaluated, I can't help but notice that they have A LOT of extracurriculars. I go to an international school in germany, and we don't have 99.9% of the extracurriculars that the American schools offer.</p>
<p>So my question: Do American colleges take into consideration the different attitude towards ECs abroad?</p>
<p>I'm not trying to get an excuse for being lazy the last 3 years. I've joined my school's only sports team, only politics team (Model UN), and tried to continue playing an instrument (moved here from michigan after freshman year).</p>
<p>Any internationals who have been admitted to top colleges know?</p>
<p>ECs and awards are very important. They don't necessarily have to be ECs, but at least you should have some major accomplishments if you want to get into HYP, whether it be doing important research or getting first place in some prestigious contest.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I go to an international school in germany, and we don't have 99.9% of the extracurriculars that the American schools offer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>For the most part, admissions officers will judge you in the context of your unique circumstances. That said, you should look up the decision threads of any school you are interested and see what others in similar situations have done.</p>
<p>Just because your school doesn't offer something doesn't mean you can't take the initiative and find other ways to do it. If your school doesn't offer many community service projects, you can always seek out your local Salvation Army and volunteer your services.</p>
<p>A girl I know, and now her brother, both of whom graduated from French schools in International locations. There were few-no formal EC's at their school. In truth, neither had extraordinary, deep interests outside of school- they did a few sports things(tennis, etc) in the community, but nothing competitive..and they did the EC things there school had- a few plays, that sort of thing. Didn't seem to hurt them in the slightest when it came to applying! Both going to the same Ivy.</p>
<p>I go to an international school in the US, and only one of my activities is school-sponsored (I'm the photo editor and news and features editor of my school newspaper). Outside of school I take photography courses, ride horses (and work as a riding instructor at camp in the summer), volunteer at a local hospital, and so on. My school doesn't offer many activities, and only one that I'm really interested in, but I don't think that's really an excuse. My resume may not be as impressive as some other people's, but I've made a serious effort to find things to do outside of school, and I think that's what matters the most. If you've taken full advantage of the resources available to you, I don't see how that could possibly work against you.</p>