<p>So I know that, when applying for colleges, you should hone in on one EC that you really love/enjoy. However, what if you’re not really good at it? d: Lol. Like, I’m a stereotypical asian girl with good grades, and I play the violin. I have plenty of other ECs, but I dedicate most of my time practicing the violin. However, I didn’t make State this year, and that was a really really big and rude wake up call. Should I still continue with my violin route? Or should I maybe go find something else to be phenomenal at? ):</p>
<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I am a freshman in high school and I wanted to know now what I can do to improve my ECs to get accepted into an Ivy league. </p>
<ul>
<li>I play tennis (not ranked, but working on that)</li>
<li>Debate (I currently have 54 points in the NFL for you debaters)</li>
<li>Student Council Secretary (running for president for 10th grade, SGA 2nd VP for 11th, and SGA President in 12th)</li>
<li>I play the piano (I’m looking for competitions so I can be somehow “ranked” in that.)</li>
<li>Community service (volunteering at the hospital this summer)</li>
<li>3.8 GPA, 4.2 HPA (working on that 4.0 GPA and higher HPA)</li>
<li>Class rank: 112/415 (top 27%, I am aiming for top 10% by senior year.) </li>
</ul>
<p>What do you think? How can I improve to get accepted into an Ivy league?</p>
<p>^if you really improve your class rank and GPA, do extremely well on the SAT/PSAT, and stick to your activities and maybe even developing them more, you would be a contender for some Ivies like Cornell or Brown.</p>
<p>My personal opinion is that you should aim to do your best in EC’s for which you love and have a passion for. If colleges feel like you shouldn’t go there because you don’t have a position/ranking/extraordinary feat in that EC, then perhaps that college wasn’t destined for you/doesn’t fit you.</p>
<p>-CEO of online businesses
-Several websites and startups
-Ebay business
-Make thousands a year from the above
-Wall Street Survivor (stock market stimulation) - made tens of thousands off that (possibly 6 figures of…fake money )
-Real Stock Market - probably not including this, since I borrowed my parent’s money. Results about the same as above
-Chief Technology Officer/Secretary/Team Leader for Science For Youth (organization teaching kids science - seminars usually have 50+ people attending)
-Varsity Track 4 years
-California Scholarship Federation (no special position)</p>
<p>Can my ecs save a poor rank and gpa (but high sat)? T_T</p>
<p>darn, i should have done boy scouts as a kid. it sounds fun, and eagle scout is a big plus.</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>If I am one of the 233 Distinguished Finalists for the Prudential Spirt of Community Awards (community service award-about 29,000 apply), does this increase my chances? Please explain. Could it get me into an Ivy League like Brown University if my GPA is a 3.7 and my SAT are 2100 and this award is basically my hook. Btw, I go to a competitive private school in an urban area.</p>
<p>If that 3.7 is weighted then not a chance.</p>
<p>Can a team event be considered an EC? For example, everyone has said a nationally ranked player; to show how good you are as an individual. However my volleyball team placed 2nd last year at the Junior Olympics, would that be beneficial to add?</p>
<p>A good EC is one that is well rounded and doesn’t include random and incoherent activities. stating that someone is president of a cupcake club and president of a debate team and also vice president of a spanish club and works in a law firm might look “well-rounded” but doesn’t show any sign of commitment. Be well rounded but stick to something that represents who you are. If you LOVE debating and you LOVE baking cupcakes, that’s fine, but why don’t you work for a patisserie/bakery?</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m not aiming at anyone here, it was just my 2 cents</p>
<p>Darn it. I have yet to be recognized by any major company such as Newsweek or Time, nor am I currently a Professional actor who has appeared in movies, big city theater or TV. Since I have never won an oscar, I might as well sit down for a community college instead.</p>
<p>^ Seems like you’re not the only one, OldArnold.</p>
<p>On the third or so post on page one, Northstarmom lists a great list on ECs. One of those is starting your own business. </p>
<p>“Created and runs their own business that makes thousands of dollars a year. (N.B. The business can’t be really run by or created by their parents or other adults)”</p>
<p>Well, in my sophomore year, I founded my own business. And its the first of it’s kind produced in my country, and only one of two products sold in my country. I haven’t made thousands of dollars from the business, but one day it should be worth a few.</p>
<p>-Its completely eco-friendly (which is a huge plus in this day & age).
-I’ve sponsored various events.
-I’ve supported my local community by sponsoring the “previously disadvantaged” (Community Service)
-I have a website (proves authenticity and strength)
-Positive reviews by professionals.
-I run adverts in national magazines. (International Sales)
-I sell my product internationally (only 3 countries).
-I’ve had interviews by the above magazines, and online write ups.</p>
<p>So, my deal is - Even though it’s not an overnight multi-million dollar success, is it still strong enough to be a good EC? I spend more time on it than any other EC, but there isn’t a way to grade it. ie. A Varsity sport, national this or regional that, etc.
So, What’s the verdict?</p>
<p>Whether your ECs are weak or not is dependent on what you are trying to do. If you expect them to be the “hook” to get you into a HPY school, they have to be on the national level, at least. Even then, they are not going to make up for a weak academic profile.</p>
<p>Thanks. I don’t know if I want to go to HYP, but I always refer to them as a yardstick. </p>
<p>In terms of “Sports”, in South Africa, we have U14 A, B, C, D etc… and U15, and U16. After U16, we play in “open” teams, where any age can play… but it’s mainly reserved for U17 and U18s. The teams are then numbered 1st to say 7th team. </p>
<p>Our 1st team is an equivalent to Varsity Team. And our 2nd team is JV. </p>
<p>But I never hear of any other teams in the USA, how does high school sport work? With regards to teams? </p>
<p>My school has 7 open rugby teams, plus four U16 sides, four U15 sides, and six U14 sides.
That’s a total of 21 teams in one school. What I’m trying to ask is, how does it work in the US?</p>
<p>Sorry for my dragging on.</p>
<p>How long should you do an EC. I’m an sophmore on the Step Team (arts)(since freshman year) & next year I’m going to do Volleyball & Tennis (Junior-Senior) would that possibly look bad because I only did each for 2 years. Sadly I can’t do it all at one time so I have to split it up. Also, during the summer I want to do community service. What are some good community service ideas that some of you completed?</p>
<p>Surferboy, if you want a better shot at a great school, briefly refine the post explaining your business and use it on the common app for this question: “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (150 words or fewer, 1000 character maximum).” Make the bullets flow together and add more emphasis on its meaningfulness. It is an impressive accomplishment; you should explain it effectively.</p>
<p>Well I’m an international student who applied for this fall
What do you guys think are the ECs for international that makes difference to HYPS caliber schools?
And we often see in CC that US students with low SAT scores but with good academics and stellar ECs making it to the top shots…is there a similar situation for international students too?
(I noticed someone with a 2030 in SAT from a South Asian Country) made it to UChicago
And last of all does winning international awards help?</p>
<p>@JimboSteve, what else can I attach to my common app and supps? Is there any way to attach some extra information, like an essay or recontamination letter (that’s not part of the original app).</p>
<p>For extra information, there is an additional comments section. It is not the place for essays, but you may use it to elaborate on vaguely-explained extracurricular activities. </p>
<p>I believe you mean “recommendation letter,” in which case you may put as many as you want (to my knowledge) into the recommendation section-- however, 2 is enough and 3 is pushing it. Make sure not to unload dozens of letters onto the admissions staff. They wouldn’t like it.</p>
<p>Oh okay thanks. Hahaha, that “recontamination” letter was a huge typo. I think you’re correct when you say they wouldn’t like it, it would make me look like I’m simply trying too hard.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to all of you. I really didn’t get EC’s before</p>