I’m going to be junior this September and haven’t taken any ECs since I started high-school (due to switching schools a lot), if I started taking ECs in junior year and continue them in senipr year, will that be enough to satisfy requirements? Or am I screwed due to those wasted first two years?
(I plan to apply to University of Washington in the future, fyi)
I can’t say for sure what the impact will be, but I don’t think it is a guaranteed problem- I suspect it will be influenced by a number of other things such as where you are applying, what your academic background includes and other factors. However, don’t discount other things you do that universities will take into account such as jobs, family responsibilities like caring for siblings etc. Looking at various college applications, there are places to write in things like that, and other things (like frequent moves) that have influenced you over the years.
ETA: I don’t think it hurts at all to join some ECs, but advice I have seen from other parents is that there is a risk in looking like you are ‘checking the box’, so make sure it is for the right reasons.