Internationals and ECs?

<p>I was wondering about this a lot. My ECs are total cr<em>p compared to that of an average American. Where I live (in a poor country @ LatAm) there is almost no community service chances, even though it is a poor country. However, the bad thing is that I go to an American school, where there are a bunch of clubs (but about 3/4 of those clubs do virtually NOTHING). Athletics suck (only like 3 sports. We've never won 1st place in any competition). Opportunities are scarce. There are only like a couple competitions in this country, all of 'em which are like shady and crappy competitions that disband in a few years (believe me, I've researced a lot). I try to enter essay competitions, but I can't, since I'm not an American citizen/resident. I tried to write a sociology/psychology paper (obviously very underdeveloped by college level, but competent enough IMO), but there is no competitive institution interested enough (or competent enough) to spare time for such *niecities</em>.</p>

<p>What am I to do? Do American Univs (like Stanford) weigh ECs equally as heavy as they do with domestic applicants?</p>

<p>Imo (which might be wrong) you are not compared to American students but primarily to other applicants from your country and maybe secondarily to other international applicants. If there really are NO opportunities for ECs you have nothing to worry about - but if other applicants from your country or your school do have ECs and you don't, it will hurt you a lot. If your school only has crappy clubs, why not found and/or run a club yourself and make it worthwhile? That's the sort of initiate top colleges are looking for.</p>

<p>you can always start your own clubs or organisations...the unis will really appreciate your initiative and it will show your leadership qualities also</p>

<p>Agree with the above</p>