<p>Hey everyone! I'm applying to UCF for Fall 2012 and am wondering if my lack of impressive ECs will be my achilles heel. Have any current/hopeful students faced the same issue? </p>
<p>A little background on me for some context...</p>
<p>I was diagnosed freshman year with a learning disorder that affects the speed at which I process information. I'm not dumb but I am, quite literally, slow...it takes me 2-3x longer than the average bear to complete tests, homework, essays, etc. For this reason I have kept my out of school activities to a minimum so I can focus on my academics. </p>
<p>I think my profile is solid otherwise. I go to a rigorous prep school that only offers honors and AP courses. I have a 3.75 gpa (my school doesn't weight) and a 1980 SAT super score (690 cr, 620 m, 670 w) but my ECs read like a Word template. I'm a member of NHS, play guitar in the school's jazz combo, am on the soccer team (2 yrs defense) and have 75 community service hours. This will also be my 3rd summer working for my father. </p>
<p>Should I join some more clubs or vie for a leadership position? Or will that look completely transparent? Is it better to focus on maintaining my GPA? I will only be applying to UCF and a few other large publics (UF, FSU, USF, Auburn ...) so I am a bit worried that I'm just not going to stand out especially since admissions has gotten more difficult.</p>
<p>Any advice or other feedback is much appreciated!</p>
<p>You’ll probably be fine I had literally no ECs lol (seriously I had 0, except for like Italian club in freshman year). I just had a bunch of community service and other activities I liked to participate in outside of school. If you had a job you can also say that in your application. (If I remember it asks something about if there was a reason you couldn’t attend many or any school related clubs)
Most important things according to UCF rep last year:
GPA
Test Scores
Improving from Freshman to Senior Year
Rigorous Senior Schedule
Applying early shows interest which is also important.
Extra curricular activities are also VERY important, and at least you have some…lol.
I’m sure you could join another club if you wanted but make sure you keep that GPA up, that is very important.
But yes, if you see something that interests you obviously go ahead and join it! Sorry I’m not very helpful lol, my insomnia is getting to me :)</p>
<p>You’re fine. Your academics make up for it. Also, talk about the learning disorder you were diagnosed with your freshman year. I think one of the essay topics covers overcoming an adversity.</p>
<p>Don’t stress much about the application. You have good stats. Hope you get in!</p>
<p>If I could make an educated guess, I think you’ll get in, despite the lack of ec’s, because your stats are strong enough. But it would make you more competitive to have them. I tend to think that if you have good stats, they aren’t of to much Importance. But for someone like me, who has low stats (went through things in high school) I need them.</p>
<p>Thanks to all the replied! I’ll be taking some of the advice given here and will run for a leadership position when school begins. However my mine priority will be maintaining grades. I hope it works because I really love UCF and Burnett in particular.</p>
<p>I just wanted to say that you should definitely address how you overcame this obstacle in the essay. You have done a great job. In addition, your SAT CR is very high if your processing issue is and auditory processing type disability. You have so much to be proud of. Good luck!</p>
<p>My advice would be not to hit a “bunch more clubs,” as most schools prefer that you don’t do the shotgun method. Concentrate on what you’re already involved in, and you have plenty of EC’s, anyway. D had very few school EC’s (some clubs, but no leadership roles). All her EC was outside school, one thing really, church related activites. But that was her focus, that one thing, and she was very involved in it and had been for years. You have two things: soccer and jazz band. Having a son who was involved in band, I know the time committment there, and soccer is very time consuming too.</p>
<p>Also, you have a diagnosed learning disability that you are muscling through. You have your essay ready-made, in terms of telling your story, the decisions you’ve made, how you’ve worked to overcome it and still been able to focus on jazz band and soccer, etc. Be thoughtful in your essay (discussing choices and time managment skills which you have obviously mastered), and I am sure you’ll make a fine candidate. :)</p>
I had literally no ECs lol (seriously I had 0, except for like Italian club in freshman year). I just had a bunch of community service and other activities I liked to participate in outside of school. If you had a job you can also say that in your application. (If I remember it asks something about if there was a reason you couldn’t attend many or any school related clubs)