I think it goes without saying that colleges look for commitment. I’ve tried many (too many) extracurricular in search of something I enjoy before finally having settled on some things only the summer before my senior year. What will colleges think about this?
It sounds like you were committed to the search. What could you write about what you learned about yourself along the way?
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Actually this is not true except for the most selective colleges, and even then, they are more interested in the fact that you eventually found something you love, rather than whether you found it at a young age. Further, you can still be highly committed to something that you only started being involved in recently.
Fact is, you can’t change the past so there’s no point in worrying about it. Apply as you are. There is a college out there for you.
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Tons of colleges - maybe most (I’m not sure but tons) - look at your GPA and / or GPA/SAT or ACT and nothing else.
So you’ll have lots of schools to choose from.
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As others have said, whether this matter will depend upon where you apply, but for most universities it will not matter much if at all.
One daughter had essentially no ECs until her senior year of high school. She still got accepted to every university she applied to, with merit aid from most of them. She did not apply to MIT or Harvard.
If your grades are good, and if your references say that you are a responsible student, then you should do fine.
Having tried out several ECs is a good thing. You get to figure out what you like and you get to experience several different activities.
Pay attention to your budget and pay attention to which colleges and universities are a good fit for you.
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You used the time in high school to explore interests and grow. Nothing wrong with that. I actually think it may come off as genuine rather than trying to play the admissions game. You can emphasize the interest you have discovered and how you want to continue to pursue it in college.
If you are really worried, you can write a very brief supplementary essay where you write about anything not covered in the rest of the application, and describe your years long search for a “passion,” how you found it in senior year, and how you plan to continue. But not necessary at all.
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Many kids, many people, don’t find their “passion” until they have experienced a lot more living. There is no time limit on finding things that excite you. What is deeply interesting to you this year may hold no interest next year. There’s no problem with that.
Some colleges might be impressed that you tried many different things. Other colleges might not. If you apply to a good balance of schools you’ll end up at the best place for you.
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