<p>I've been told many times that my grades and scores are on par with the colleges that I want to apply to , which are top level (JHU, UM, Dartmouth etc), but my ECs are lacking. I am an officer of a few clubs, including academic ones, and I am part of NHS and other honor societies. I am in marching band, and regular band.
What else can I do?? I'm honestly lost.
And I can't apply to most internships or research programs because you have to be at least 16 for them, which I am not.
I also volunteer at a hospital and elemntary school, if that helps.
I see people with extraordinary ECs, but I just..don't know what to do.
HELP PLEASE!!</p>
<p>Extraordinary ECs are ECs that involve subjects you are amazingly passionate about, work that adults would normally do, or both. For example, I am very passionate about reading and libraries, and my city has a position for a student representative on the library board, so I am applying for the position. I see that you are in marching band. If that is something you are passionate about, start a chapter for Tri-M and be the president, organize some charity concerts. You don’t have to cure cancer (although this Ivy aspirant sort of has [17-Year-Old</a> Girl Creates Nanoparticle That Kills Cancer | Geekosystem](<a href=“http://www.geekosystem.com/17-yo-cancer-nanoparticle/]17-Year-Old”>17-Year-Old Girl Creates Nanoparticle That Kills Cancer | The Mary Sue)) or write a novel to have a great EC. If your passion comes across in essays, teacher recs, or interviews, then your goal is accomplished.</p>
<p>Well, I am actually academically a huge science student, and will be going into that area. My transcript proves that, so I want to supplement that…
Do you know any programs that I can attend? I’m really not in a position where I can cure cancer sooo…</p>
<p>Wait, does the novel have to be published?</p>
<p>What grade are you in?</p>
<p>You could try emailing profs and asking if you can work/intern in their lab for the summer and work on a project then. If you’re a junior now, you can enter your project in science competitions like intel or siemens. </p>
<p>There are many summer programs you can also check out in cc’s Sumer program forum or at cogito.org . </p>
<p>If you do either of the two, be careful with deadlines as labs and programs fill up fast/ have strict dates by which apps need to be in by. </p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Wartsandall I am a junior.
ecouter thanks for the info I will be sure to check them out!</p>
<p>Read How to be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport</p>
<p>^that too…it’s definitely worth it!</p>
<p>Maybe these websites will help you:</p>
<p>[High</a> School Internships](<a href=“http://people.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/highschool.htm]High”>http://people.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/highschool.htm)
[Science</a> Student Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/liststudentja.html]Science”>http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/liststudentja.html)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/343495-summer-programs-look-good-college-applications.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/343495-summer-programs-look-good-college-applications.html</a></p>