I recently applied to a summer scholars research program (cost $1500) and got in but just found out that I wouldnt be able to attend because of the transportation. Now I feel like I have no great extracurricular activities. No, I did not apply for the summer research program just because it would look good on college apps…but I wanted to believe that it would be the one that shines out of all of them.
My current EC’s are:
Marching Band (freshman & sophmore, maybe junior & senior)
French Club (freshman & sophmore, planning to continue throughout junior & senior year)
I want to attend a really good college (atleast in the top 20) and I am constantly reading about students who applied to those colleges (and got accepted) with extravagant EC’s and I’m sitting here with marching band and french club
I know it’s not the end of the world but I just feel really discouraged - mostly because I can’t attend the program this summer - but also because my EC list sucks.
I go to a top 20 university and IMO I didn’t really do anything spectacular. The ECs you do don’t matter as much as your level of commitment towards them. Try getting really involved (and possibly make an impact on your community) with marching band and French club.
There is still time to find something else productive to do with your summer. Get a job, volunteer with an organization you care about, look for another program that you can attend etc.
The canned summer programs are not going to help you gain entrance to any school. Do what you love. Can you work at French camp for kids this summer? Help make youtube videos for kids to learn French? Take what you love and do a “deeper dive.” And get a job. My son worked two jobs this past summer, and another all of senior year up until April 1 (25 hrs a week. He wrote one of his essays based on his work experience. The essay was short, funny and showed how he thinks.
Yes, get a job. That’s probably the best thing for a student to do. Colleges like it, but, more importantly, it will teach you a lot.
I’ll add, it’s great to go to a Top 20 college. There will be amazing students, faculty, and staff. AND I hope you try to find some schools that are a good fit for YOU. There are many, many excellent schools with students and faculty as bright and hard working as anywhere. There’s a fetish for the most highly ranked schools today. The truth: they aren’t any better than many other schools. Students at Rhodes, WPI, Kenyon, Denison, Reed, Sewanee, Georgia, U Mass, etc. etc. etc. will be as bright and have every bit as much success as students at the “Top 20.” So, sure, look at these schools to find good fits, but trust and be happy with the fact that there are many, many outstanding choices. Find a place that is great for you. Good luck!
ECs don’t make or break you, they’re just a good addition. What really matters are your grades, test scores, and essays, so don’t worry so much about ECs. At least you don’t have none, right?
I agree with the others – one summer research program is not going to be what makes or breaks your application. Most schools still focus first and foremost on grades, second on test scores. Even essays and letters of recommendation generally count for more than EC’s, unless you have some kind of truly spectacular EC. How are your grades? Will you be taking AP or other rigorous coursework?
I’d also like to gently remind you that over 90% of applicants get rejected from the top schools that you’re talking about. The odds are long against your being accepted to any of them, whether you go to this research program or not. I really think you should start learning about some schools that admit a higher percentage of their applicants. Apply to a couple of those super-elite schools by all means, but please don’t get your heart set on going there and nowhere else.
If you would like to continue playing in marching band in college, find some schools with great marching bands (not just at top schools), that you can be accepted to.
If transportation costs or logistics will be an issue, focus on schools closer to home.
I’m a huge proponent of kids having jobs. I think it teaches you responsibility in a way that school just can’t.
As a teacher, it’s my job-- and the reason I’m in the profession-- to pull the very best from each of my students, to push them to be all they can.
As an employer, though, what I want is for them to push themselves. I want them to find things to do when things are slow, to make my store or restaurant all that it could be. It’s not about me doing for them, it’s about them doing for me.
My 3 kids have learned so very much from their jobs, even the freshman who has only been working a few weeks. I can see the changes in her already.
Truly. Having some sort of responsibility to others, working with others, etc. etc. can instill a whole other level of maturity that is very appealing in a college (and future job) applicant.
Truly, don’t be discouraged. It’s about finding a great place that’s affordable and a great fit for YOU. There really are many, many outstanding colleges/universities out there. I’ve visited probably 6 dozen or more (officially and unofficially)–true most were outstanding schools, including about half of those that would be consensus Top 20–and I can honestly say that there were maybe 2 that I would not be very happy for my own kids to attend. And I have high standards. I thought the students at WPI were as impressive as I saw anywhere. Bates seemed amazing. Colby is spectacular. William and Mary has an incredible community. Richmond is stunning and in a cool city. There are top, top students at all these schools. So if you get accepted and attend a Top 20 school, that’s terrific. I just want to convey the thought that there are very many places where you can learn with just as amazing students and have just as amazing an experience. Good luck!
