What if I only have two or three EC's?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I'm currently a junior and will be ending my year very soon (summer vacation's coming around). I have an good academic standing in school, with overall weighted GPA 4.38 and top 2% out of 584 students, BUT sadly I'm in no extracurricular clubs whatsoever. D: And I know that's really bad. D: </p>

<p>Sophomore year I was in movie club, but I highly doubt that will help me at all for college admissions. This year, a debate club was created, and it's advisor recommended me to join my senior year, so hopefully if time allows I can join. I'm a 'member' of Octagon, Key and the GreenTeam (environmental) club. And by 'member' I mean that my name's in their records but I've only attended them at least once.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if this counts, but there's an IB (international bacchalaureate) club that I'm a part of too, but I feel that it's mandatory since I'm in IB anyways. That one I've attended most their meetings and participated in their fundraising events. I'm also running for secretary in that club, in which I hope to win that position. </p>

<p>Another thing that I'm trying to do, hopefully to make up for the fact that I wasn't able to participate in many clubs is making my own club. It's a fundraising one to help provide relief calamity stricken countries. From it, I hope to be able to not only fundraise from within the school, but will be able to reach conventions and major events in my state. It's quite the dream, but I'm working hard to make it come true, all within my senior year. And then, I hope that it stays in my school for a long time. </p>

<p>Other than club EC's, I've only participated in one sport in one year, and I was only in JV. I've been volunteering at a nature center since April and will carry one over to the next year. I don't consider this as EC at all because I find that my religious upbringing is strictly religious, but I have been a choir member in my church for six years and have been attending church since I was a baby when my mom carried me around. </p>

<p>So to sum it up these are what I hope to become my EC's and what I already have as EC's</p>

<p>Debate Club (senior)
IB Club (junior and senior)
Relief Club (senior)
JV Lacrosse (sophomore)
Volunteer at Nature Center (junior and senior)</p>

<p>(not sure if this counts) being a choir member in church for six years</p>

<p>The other problem is, this will all be during my senior year, and only a little bit extended to my junior and sophomore year. And I'm sure colleges really dislike that. Do you think my passion in each club activity may add cushion to the lack of years I spent in each club and activity? And the main question again: so what happens to my chances of college admissions if I only have two or three appropriate EC's?</p>

2

<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly on the forum. The good news is that there are 3,000+ colleges in the US and almost all of them admit without regard to ECs, let alone standout ECs. So you’ll have plenty of good choices. If you’re looking for the most selective schools, however, you may have an issue. </p>

<p>There is a thread with comments by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) While I don’t agree with everything in them, take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>

3

<p>Well, if it counts for anything, your ECs are better than mine were (I’m a rising college sophomore) and I got into more than a few tough schools. The trick is to write really, really, really good essays. Like the previous poster said, you’re unfortunately dead in the water for the toughest Ivies, but you can definitely get into top-notch schools if you play your cards right.</p>

<p>Also, look into McGill University in Canada. It’s internationally recognized, tough standards (average applicant has 3.7+ GPA, 700 or so in each SAT section) and known as ‘the Canadian Harvard.’ Like most universities outside of the US, they’re completely stats-based and don’t ask for/care about ECs.</p>

4

<p>I don’t know what caliber of college you’re going into, but: I know a girl who got into UCSD this year with absolutely no ECs. Another girl got into UCLA as president of one club and one varsity sport. A guy got into Berkeley with two club memberships (just membership, not a leadership position), but in all honestly, he is insanely smart. Their academics were pretty good, but yours are arguably better.</p>