No summer programs, no community service... and other EC questions

Applying to College
1

<p>Alright, so I posted this in the wrong section, so please don't get mad at me for re-posting this here.</p>

<p>Does a lack of summer programs and community service devalue your application to top 10 schools, ivies, etc., thereby hurting your chances? The majority of the summer programs cost a lot (in the thousands), and the only community service I've done so far was done in multiple areas (as in, not something like volunteering at a hospital or in a 3rd world country), and amounts to few hours (30).</p>

<p>Also, what qualifies "good extra curriculars"? Like, if you want to apply to an ivy, we recommend that your list of extra cuirriculars include... (it may be too late to change the list, but I just want to evaluate what I have so far).</p>

<p>Thanks for your help in advance!</p>

2

<p>This question does not make sense in so many ways… there are as many combos of ECs/summer programs/work experience/volunteer experience as there are applicants to “top schools”. And the focus on “top schools” vs. “schools that are a good fit for me” is just setting yourself up for problems in the admissions process (or worse, once you end up at a school that you picked mostly due to the ranking).</p>

<p>You would be a lot better off giving your stats, including your ECs, and a list of schools you are interested in. Hopefully based on something besides ranking… (strength of proposed major? school size? school environment? strength of admissions to specific types of grad schools or types of employment?). Then you could get some feedback that might be useful.</p>