<p>I'm an involved student in my high school and typically I don't have a lot of free time on the week days since it's all taken up by sports and activities. But I was wondering to what extent are EC's important? I know at ivies and similar schools everyone who applies has stellar stats and the EC's are used to distinguish the most qualified or fitting, however is there a level of schools below the ivy standard (but still considered a solid private school) where admission is almost totally based on academics and test scores?</p>
<p>in general public schools are more grades based and private schools will value ec’s more. This varies with schools though~</p>
<p>The most important part of your application is your transcript. </p>
<p>Most colleges accept the majority of applicants to their school. The rare colleges that care a great deal about ECs are places like Harvard and Amherst that get such an overabundance of high stat applicants that the colleges can use ECs to pick and choose from among that outstanding pool. </p>
<p>Sports, jobs, church activities, community service all are valued like ECs by the colleges that care about such things.</p>