I am beginning to worry that my ECs aren’t strong enough for acceptance into top schools.
My grades are very good (4.0 UW, a dozen AP classes taken, etc) and I’m currently studying for the SAT that I will be taking this year and then transitioning into SAT IIs.
I am curently a junior and have a bit over 100 community service hours and participate in NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, and Stand Up to Cancer but hold no prominent leadership positions. I am planning on adding an extracurricular to complement my interest in Computer science which will, I think, allow for better essays and a better overall application. I’ve been told that USACO online would be a notable addition to my ECs.
I also come from a relatively low income family if that helps admissions at all. So, are things looking alright for me? I don’t expect to get into Harvard, Princeton, Yale, or Stanford but I am looking at other top schools like Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, and even UF (I live in FL). I’d love to attend a UC like Berkeley or UCUI but I doubt that that would be financially feasible.
You’re a junior and have taken a dozen AP classes?
Just about. I’ve already completed 5 and I’m taking 6 right now.
It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again - you don’t need a lot of ECs. One or two at a high enough level to demonstrate real interest and commitment is sufficient. Anything else, do it for the enjoyment. A college application is not a ‘check the box’ exercise where you are required to have volunteer work or a leadership position or do a sport or play an instrument. Do not waste time on resume padding. It takes time away from the things you care most about (like sleep, good grades, time with friends) for no gain in the admissions process.
If your community service activity means a lot to you, see if you can take it to another level: Find a way to contribute something that goes beyond just showing up and doing whatever was expected of you - that will require initiative, creativity, some real interest - but you’ll learn so much more. And, by the way, it makes for a good essay (and maybe even a great letter of rec from the organization or a job offer for the next summer.)