<p>I'm a sophomore in high school. I've been through a lot of family issues in my life, and ended up with a 3.4 gpa freshman year. Now that all of that's over, I'm at a 4.2 gpa for this year so far. I haven't been able to get involved as much over the years due to said family issues. But I'm trying to make up for it, because I do truly want to make something of my life and be the first one in my family to graduate from college, and an Ivy too! I just need some advice on extracurriculars and all that junk. What can I do to make my application look better?</p>
<p>Do whatever passions you have and do very well with them. If you’re simply looking to do things to pad your application, they’ll be able to tell.
but if you insist on it, then, do this.
2 volunteer activities (one inside school. one outside)
create your own productive club/activity, lead it, and make it strong
do a varsity sport or two
Do an academic or performing arts activity at the varsity level for three years.</p>
<p>the main thing is to find an extracurricular that is unique to you, and do it well.</p>
<p>Mix and match the list above, but dont overload on activite,s specializing sticks out more now adays.</p>
<p>Try to do what you love really well. If you like to write, don’t just write for your school paper, become editor-in-chief, start your own national literary journal, and/or get published in a major paper. It’s better to be exceptionally skilled in one area than to be moderately skilled in several. Hone in on one area and “give it all you’ve got.”</p>
<p>Schools like to see an upward trend in grades so make sure you keep your GPA high.
And on the ECs, definitely definitely do what you love. Be involved in something that you genuinely enjoy and try to get a leadership/responsibility position in it, if possible. ECs that give you awards (math contests, debate tournaments, etc.) are good too because they show you’ve achieved something. Obviously, don’t force yourself to go to debate tournaments if you hate to talk in front of people, but try new things too.</p>
<p>And even if you don’t get into an Ivy, college is still really what you make of it. And think of it this way, you might even save $$$$$$$ going to a state college! xP</p>