What can I do for ECs to improve my chances at Cornell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

I’m currently a junior who is starting my college searching process and I’m a little unsure about where I stand- what kind of schools reaches should be, my targets, etc. I kind of have an idea academically, but I don’t know whether my extracurriculars are up to par or not.

Current GPA: 4.3 W (school doesn’t calculate UW, but it’s prob around 3.7/3.8)
I am taking AP classes this year so I expect and hope my weighted GPA to increase to at least a 4.4, ideally a 4.5 (plz)
SAT: haven’t gotten it back yet
SAT II Math: 740 - going to retake

Classes this year:
AP Physics
AP Lang
AP Spanish
AP Comp Sci
AP World History
AP Calc

Extracurriculars:
Crayons to Classrooms Club - officer
Red Cross Club - secretary
Computer and Tech Club
Women’s Outreach Club (divided into different groups - I’m part of the tech group)
Volleyball
Volunteering at local school helping patrons with technology problems

Schools that I am looking at so far: JHU, Cornell, U Mich, Penn State

My ECs worry me a lot, as they seem like padding activites and are kind of scattered - they don’t show my passion or commitment (which is computer programming by the way). They are also rather bland and typical, there’s nothing unique or interesting about them. I really want to show that I love computer programming, but my dilemma is that I honestly don’t have much experience with it (only 3-4 years, while others have been coding since elementary school), and I haven’t participated in coding competitions and things like that.

What can I do to make the most out of my junior year? How can I improve my chances at schools like JHU and Cornell?
What do you recommend as far as finding internships (I’ve seen a lot for bio kids but not comp sci)?

2
  1. Try to aim for leadership roles in the clubs that you're already in, especially those that are focused on computers and programming.
  2. Code something. Anything. If you're not doing it in your free time and have something to point to, colleges will think you don't have a passion for it. Make an app. Build something with Arduino. Make something online fun.
  3. Find a summer internship that supports your theme of programming. Could be in an IT department. Could be at a startup. If you can't find one, double your efforts on #2 and/or your volunteering at local school helping patrons with technology problems. (That's totally usable in essays.)