Hi,
I’m a freshmen rn. After meeting with other freshmen, I feel like I “don’t do that much” compared to them. I don’t play a sport, have like 3 extracurriculars, and am only taking AP Calc AB as an “advanced class” [but all the others are normal]. I’m really into math and have started a few circles where I teach other people. I know that this is a very broad question, but should I be “doing more impactful” extracurrculars? I know colleges don’t keep a tally of how many you do, but I feel like I am not doing as much as others.
Please relax.
Do not try to take all AP classes and participate in a huge list of ECs. Do not compare what you are doing with other freshmen in high school. None of you really know what select universities are looking for. The longest list of ECs and the longest list of APs are not going to get you into a top university.
Schools want you to do well in what you have done. This generally means that you participate in ECs that you want to participate in, and you take classes that make sense for you.
In high school I only participated in 3 ECs, and two were completely non-academic (sailing and skiing). I went to a high school that offered no AP classes at all. I still graduated with a bachelor’s degree in math from a very well known highly ranked university. One daughter had no ECs at all through junior year, and still got accepted to every university that she applied to, and is currently doing very well at a very good university that is a good fit for her.
Relax. Do what is right for you. Stay ahead in your classes and strive for good grades. Seek out help early if you need it. Treat everyone with respect whether they deserve it or not. You will do fine.
For your ECs:
By the end of HS, it is good if your ECs can provide the following:
-Leadership Experience
-Community Service
-Shows you can do your school work and other things as well
-Teaches you skills
In Freshman year, it is good if you are sampling some different ECs to see what you like. It is fine to have fewer ECs that you are doing more in. Or fine to try a bunch.
Pick ECs you enjoy…they don’t all have to relate to your future major.