<p>Well this thread isn't as much about myself as it is about the negative effects of terrible EC's. </p>
<p>I'm pretty good on the academic side but my Ec's are terrible. </p>
<p>My EC's:
4 years Beta Club
4 years Math Team (treasurer 11, V.p. 12)
3 years Science Olympiad (Captain 12)
2 years Mu Alpha Theta
2 years German NHS
Played violin for 10 years (private lessons ) and 1 year school orchestra
1st place in a regional Science Olympiad competition</p>
<p>How would this effect my chances at getting into schools like JHU, Duke, or Cornell for BME?</p>
<p>Would this EC list be repulsive, average, or a hook?</p>
<p>However, I want this thread to be more about the damaging effects of poor EC's on good academics this does not have to be about me.</p>
<p>I don't see what so wrong . From what you have listed, I can already tell that you are a math/science person, which is really good. Schools like to see some sort of passion and strength in one or two things...and you have that down fairly well.</p>
<p>Winning the Science Olympiad and the leadership positions will also help. So, sure you didn't find the cure for cancer, or were involved in 3 varsity sports, but sometimes a laundry list isn't good either. I think you have above average ECs...nothing amazing, but nevertheless still really good.</p>
<p>Thank You for the positive comments. I got a bit quesy seeing the impressive list of EC's on this webstie with things like national winners and service hours in foreign countries.</p>
<p>Your EC's look great. It's better to do a moderate amount of stuff well and enjoy it than to force yourself into a bajillion activities you hate just to impress adcoms. If you really want more, you could see about tutoring kids in math and science (as volunteer work).</p>
<p>ETA: As more of a general statement, you can have mediocre EC's and get into good schools. It is much more rare to have mediocre academics and get into good schools. As long as you've done something and showed important qualities like leadership and dedication, I don't think it counts against you. Colleges take some students who cured cancer while circumnavigating the globe on a raft they built from organic bamboo with the indigenous people of a very obscure country BUT, they also take some normal, smart, hard working kids. Show passion for something, be it curing cancer or the colleges you are applying for. I think it is much more detrimental to focus on grades and ECs to get into those top schools without giving much thought to why YOU want those schools. Above average (but not insane) students can get into amazing schools if the admissions committee sees that you really want to go there.</p>