<p>I'm a rising junior and I'm trying to get into colleges like Columbia and Stanford. Academically, I've taken all honors or APs throughout high school and maintained a 4.0 GPA. For some odd reason, I chose not to do anything in terms of extracurricular activities during Freshmen year. Sophomore year, I joined two clubs that I realized I was really passionate about. Most of the other clubs at my school are expensive and related to politics which I have no interest in at all and can't afford. Outside of school clubs, I began volunteering at local hospitals, churches, and libraries. I've started some small things at these institutes (i.e. charities) and I thought I was getting back on track towards my dream schools. Then I come to CC and see all these amazing kids and the things I've done just seem so mediocre and overdone. Of course, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent at these places and I'd do them regardless of whether or not I tried to get into schools like Columbia. Still, I can't help but feel that my attempts are so insignificant and that I must have a laundry list of E.C.s just to get into my reach school. Do ECs weigh more than essays or test scores? Does the number of ECs increase your chances? I thought that leadership positions were enough, but is it now necessary to be nationally ranked as well? Sorry to sound pathetic and whiny right now; I'm just so lost and discouraged at the moment. I'd just like to hear some advice from those who've already been through the process. Thank you.</p>
<p>I have the same concern, lol. I just did what I loved.</p>
<p>Alright. I haven’t finished going through the process yet, but my brother did this year.
No, you don’t need a laundry list of ECs. The number of ECs that you do doesn’t matter, but rather the commitment you show. If you look at my list of ECs or my brother’s you’d see that it looks long, but only a few are clubs. The rest of the stuff is what we did with the clubs. If you’re really dedicated to 2 clubs it’s better than being very lightly involved in 6 clubs.
When the former dean of admissions for harvard spoke at my school back in November she said that if you have 2 ECs before junior year and all of a sudden jump to 10 it’s clear that you’re not interested and just want it for college and it detracts from your application. So don’t sweat it. Just do what you love, and if you really do love it then chances are it will show up in your essays as well and make you unique. As opposed to the kids who think that being in NHS and 40 other clubs and honor societies makes you a better person. They’ll all be identical in applications.
Look at it this way too: why would a college want 1500 identical people in their incoming class? they don’t. so being unique is better than following the crowd with 20 clubs each</p>