<p>if i just start doing a lot junior year, will that look bad? I am thinking of applying to prestigious universities. Will they see that i just started this year with most, even though i have very strong EC and volunteer work that i have a passion for (plus many hours)</p>
<p>For the relatively few colleges that factor ECs and community service into admissions -- and they tend to be colleges so competitive that the colleges can pick and choose among an overabundance of high stat applicants -- having some ECs and community service is better than having none.</p>
<p>true... are HYPSMC the only places that REALLY take a close look at EC's? (and most of the time their decisions are based off of them)?</p>
<p>Interesting thread....do you really think it's only the most competitive schools that EC's matter? Not the impression I have been given over the last few years in this process.....
would like to hear more opinions on this....</p>
<p>NY: you may want to start another thread with this Q.....EC's only important for top schools?</p>
<p>Just an opinion.....
After going through this process, I really think that above everything else the transcript/test scores rule. Even at HPYSMC. The EC's are used only to differentiate the students applying. The only way an EC really helps is if it is a true hook (ranked Nationally, et). For the next tier down, I think EC's are used to see if the student is involved in anything and get a feel on how they will fit in on campus. The only time you would really run into problems with EC's is if there is absolutely nothing.</p>
<p>Interesting question.
So, which would colleges prefer-- an applicant with high stats and mediocre ECs (little to no awards, etc.) or an applicant with somewhat lower stats but fantastic ECs?</p>
<p>yeah im curious to what people think to the question above ^^</p>
<p>ghalla, i think the school would go for the one with the higher stats. then again, some ppl with As and perfect scores dnt get into HYPS...sometimes they pick the person that taught english to orphans in Ghana bc they have enough of the "high stat" applicants.</p>
<p>I think latter. </p>
<p>I may be naive, but I believe colleges want to see a human, not a statistic.</p>
<p>So, which would colleges prefer-- an applicant with high stats and mediocre ECs (little to no awards, etc.) or an applicant with somewhat lower stats but fantastic ECs?"</p>
<p>Virtually all colleges in the country would prefer the first applicant to ana pplicant with mediocre stats and fantastic ECs unless the ECs were something like being a recruited athlete. Colleges most want to make sure that they are accepting students who'll graduate from the college. </p>
<p>The colleges that most consider ECs -- places like HPYS -- are able to select applicants with excellent stats and ECs.</p>
<p>Many if not most colleges wouldn't be impressed by applicants who taught English to orphans in Ghana because typically such opportunities are obtained by having well off parents who pay big bucks for their kids to have such an experience.</p>