Hi, I live in the UAE and go to an IB school, unlike most schools, my school has very very few ECs, to put it into perspective I have created 1/2 of the ECs in the school with my total being 4.
There is no national scholar, no math club, no debate club, no CS, the school only has MUN and the other 3 being sports.
My school doesn’t offer much opportunity to win awards or gain recognition at all, no competitions (unless its an art competition for younger grades) but awards are unheard of, it is also very difficult to find programs or competitions in Dubai that are teenage eligible, for example, most of all business competitions are for adults who already have a business and simply wish to pitch the idea. I was wondering is there a place online where i can find competitions that i could enter (business model per say) and seeing that there are very few available to me (my area) would i be able to email the admission officer my reasoning for having so few awards and would they be understanding? Thank you
You don’t need to have any awards or win anything to get into great US schools. Extra curricula activities showing dedication and interests outside of the classroom is much more important.
What are your interests. What do you care about.
Answer those questions and find opportunities to spend tome involved with these.
Do you play a sport?
Do you have a part time job?
Do you volunteer at any hospitals, church, mosque or other charitable organization?
Do write a blog or work for a school newspaper?
If you feel strongly about an issue or activity, why not organize and a lead a new group at your school. If they don’t offer it. You can always make it happen yourself. Perhaps this would demonstrate more leadership than just looking for something to join.
Are you doing the IB Diploma? What do you do for CAS? That could be your ECs.
Also Check on https://educationusa.state.gov/ for an advising center for your country to get info on applying to US colleges. You are not the only international applicant with this problem.
I think you are thinking about this all wrong.
–No school-based award will move the needle on any college decision.
–It is more about what actually you do than any award/recognition you get for it.
–And if your school has no ECs then you need to seek them out. ECs do not have to be school based. You can volunteer in your local community, your religious community etc. You can get a job. You can do sports outside of school. You can do anything.
Thank you for all your advice