<p>Yeah, I'm a senior and I don't have very many ECs at all. I play piano and guitar at church sometimes, play tennis (not for school, just as a hobby), and I'm planning on a few hours every week volunteering at a soup kitchen. I see people on here with an incredible list of ECs and awards, and I have barely anything. I'm not exactly shooting for top schools (middle tier UC schools, some out-of-state state universities). How much will this hurt my application?</p>
<p>What else are you doing with your time?<br>
Are you working? Are you taking care of younger siblings or older relatives?</p>
<p>I’m interested in this thread too-- My S is a HS sophomore, does no team sports (quit last yr, doesn’t like it), plays guitar for fun (not in a band or anything), and all the volunteer work he’s done I’ve had to drag him to.</p>
<p>So, I too want to know how this will affect his application. BTW, he won’t be applying to HYPS or anything else at that level. Probably CSU’s and maybe some UC’s, and I hope some not-too-competitive OOS’s.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t factor ECs into admission. They base admission overwhelmingly on gpa and scores. The few colleges that do factor ECs into admission tend to be places like Harvard, who such an overabundance of high stat applicants that the colleges can afford to use ECs as a way of picking and choosing among those outstanding applicants so as to create an active, diverse student body. The typical college uses ECs at most for merit aid consideration.</p>
<p>I’m a senior in HS and I used to have no ECs at all.
First thing I did was try something new. I am a very quiet guy and as a joke someone suggested I join debate. I did and now its a crucial part of my life and I go to national tournaments.</p>
<p>Also, maybe he can start a new club at school. I started a DJ club (I like electronic dance music), a Cricket Club (great sport that I like to watch and play for fun), a Student Guitar Association (I play guitar as a hobby and not in a band so I jam with other kids in my school), and a Film Club (I like watching classic movies). </p>
<p>I’m president of 4 clubs. Yay.</p>
<p>Also, maybe try a new sport? You might like it.</p>
<p>Mr Sudden-- I only wish my son would start a club! There is no way on this earth that he has the self confidence or motivation to do that. I’ve tried and tried to get him to do a sport-- I’ve had him try everything from soccer to baseball to trap shooting to golf. Nothing interests him except skateboarding. In fact, there is an extreme sports club at his HS, and he won’t even join that! :-(</p>