My extracurriculars do not match my main interest..

[sarainbow]

<p>I am really interested in medicine and biology, but few of my ECs reflect that. The only ones that do are volunteering at a hospital and being apart of an HIV/AIDs awareness program. I did not join Science Honor Society, Chemistry Club, Biology Club, etc. I know it sounds stupid, but I only joined clubs that my close friends were in because I thought ECs were not that important and more just for fun :l My ECs include French Honor Society, Art Honor Society, Photoshop certification, etc... </p>

<p>However, MANY of the classes I've taken do reflect that I want to do something in science. And I got my recommendation from my AP Bio teacher and also took the SAT II Bio. My whole essay is about my experience volunteering at a hospital and how it made me want to pursue a career in the medical field. Is it a major problem that I didn't participate in more science-related ECs?</p>

<p>Btw, some of the schools I'm applying to are BU, NYU, Northeastern, UMiami, UFlorida</p>

[mikemac]

<p>Keep in mind that out of the 3,000 or so 4-year colleges in the US EC’s are important for admission at only a small fraction. Perhaps the most selective 100 or so. Many students worry needlessly about EC’s. You can see how important ECs are to the schools you listed by looking at their Common Data Set fillings.</p>

<p>The question about impressive EC’s comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. Stanford, for example, says

Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which one participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.

The point, then, is that joining a bunch more clubs for “science-related ECs” would not help you at schools that care about ECs, and would not make a difference at schools that don’t care.</p>