International Students' ECs

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm a high school student from abroad who would like to attend a good college in the US. I have the grades and the SAT, but I was wondering about my ECs.
I've been reading all these "What Are My Chances?" threads on CC, and they're kind of bumming me out; people write lists of ECs Like: "1st place Math-Decathlon, Varsity Swim Team, President of the School Board, Solo Cello recitals at the Avery Fischer Hall and Hungarian State Opera House etc. etc."
I don't know how I should compete with that. I don't have nearly as many options as Americans. Which is my first question:</p>

<ol>
<li>What kind of ECs are expected from international students?</li>
</ol>

<p>I personally don't have that many ECs: I play classical piano; I act (school- and official plays); I'm planning to participate in my school's "Sek Chor", the most advanced choir; and I'm learning Chinese (I'll be spending a year abroad and I'll continue my Mandarin studies after returning).</p>

<p>Which would bring me to my second question:</p>

<ol>
<li>What are my chances? Good? Bad? What can I do better?</li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I’m in the same situation :/</p>

3

<p>Your ECs are fine. When I saw the lists of “What Are My Chances?” threads on CC, my first reaction was ‘how did they even manage to do that many?!’</p>

<p>Then I realised that because international students don’t have the same high school experience as Americans, we can’t possibly be expected to have the same kinds of ECs as them.</p>

<p>Just do what you like and you’ll be fine.</p>

4

<p>Yep, just take advantage of what you’re given. Take a few initiatives, start a few local/communal programs and spread them out to create national programs. It may seem hard when I’m saying it now, but through organization, it goes along quite smoothly</p>