<p>Quality, not quantity counts. Do not be shy about presenting yourself. If you were a leader in any EC, say so. If you won awards, say so. I agree that traveling is not an EC, but can form an awareness of the world that may come out in an essay. Some schools limit the number of activities you can report- you have to pick the top several. I have seen the infamous chances threads where students list a ton of activities that could be grouped into 3 or 4 coherent ones. You need to differentiate yourself from the thousands who also did EC’s. Admissions committees will also know that not every HS offers the same opportunities. They will not expect every student to have had the chance via their HS team to compete in national competitions. But this is the time to brag. If you won all of your debates or won a prize in it, say so. Flesh out your nicely succinct list of activities with some pertinent details of any awards et al. If all you did for the math was to show up and participate- fine (my son did that and came in first many times, showing his natural ability), at least you did it, unlike 99% of the other students.</p>
<p>Your activities show who you are and abilities you have that aren’t reflected in your classes or gpa. They also show you have enough time to seek out extra activites as well as do well in your classes. Presumably you did them for you and not your resume. You can’t be pretentious by stating facts. Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. Schools expect the list of good stuff and you are their only source so be complete with major activites. </p>
<p>There- that’s yet another repeat of the same message. Let the admissions committee decide if your activities are worth acceptance. If you don’t tell them they have nothing.</p>