<p>One way to amplify an EC is to attend a summer program or class that directly relates to that EC in the summer after the junior year. Some of these programs have application deadlines (Feb? March?), so the time to search for them may be in December. </p>
<p>For example, my D wants to be a science major, but her major ECs in high school were music related. She wanted to show more interest in science. So we found a 6 week summer science research program at a state college. Not only did it show out-of-school interest in science, but she could write about it in college app essays. </p>
<p>You mention that the kids have held leadership positions in school publications. High leadership positions in school publications or drum major or section leader in the band, etc. are ++. Don't discount them--after all, not everybody can be captain of the football team. </p>
<p>It's hard enough to put one through college; I can't imagine putting through 2 at the same time. Not many need help identifying reach schools--but finding suitable safeties or matches that will pony up with merit scholarships (perhaps Rochester?)could be a godsend come April senior year.</p>