<p>I am currently a junior and only months away from applying EA and submitting my applications to colleges. </p>
<p>I don't mean to brag, my test scores are solid.
SAT I 2390 (790 in writing, 9 on the essay)
SAT II Chinese, Math IIC 800
SAT II Biology (Not out yet, but I am hoping for another 800)</p>
<p>My GPA is also not bad.
4.0 unweighted, but it is not the most rigorous possible.
I did not take APUSH or AP Music Theory.</p>
<p>However, MY ECS ARE ABYSMAL! I never realized ECs were so important. Junior year is almost over, and I feel that I have wasted my high school career playing computer games. After seeing all the ambitious competition on college confidential, I feel unable to compete and my dreams of attending a prestigious college (which helps greatly in finding a job in investment banking) is not shattered, but shaken. </p>
<p>I have some.
President of the Go Club (Go is a strategy board game like chess)
Member of CSF 10,11, and 12
Volunteer 2 hours a week at library in a program that tutors young children
Used to volunteer 2 hours a week at a center distributing food to needy
(stopped since it was faraway and I did not enjoy it)
Peer tutor at my school
AP Scholar
Commended for National Merit (but definately not semifinalist)
I enjoy exercising, but I am not athletic and do not have the stamina for sports. </p>
<p>I have great interest in investing, and I plan on trying my hand at stock trading this summer, but that is not exactly an EC. </p>
<p>What should I do? I have always dreamed of going to Stanford or University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) someday, but will my academic scores compensate for my lack of ECs? I can guarantee that my essay will be decent, but I cannot be sure about my recommendations (I was never the type of student that likes to chat with the teacher). Help!</p>
<p>I apologize if what I am going to say comes off as harsh, as you have obviously worked hard in high school, but it may not be enough.</p>
<p>Wharton is very hard to get into. There are thousands of applicants with stats the same (and better) than yours, with mind-blowing ECs. In all likelihood, they will be admitted over you unless you have a compelling reason for being antisocial. Wharton is a business school, which means you must have DEMONSTRABLE people skills - have you ever held a steady part-time job? If not, you're pretty much out of the running.</p>
<p>Stanford may be somewhat easier to get into, but once again, the applicant pool is impossibly strong there as well. Good luck, you'll need it.</p>
<p>With that said, having an 800 in Chinese is NOT impressive, especially if you are an Asian. You also appear to be incredibly math/science lopsided, given the fact that the only SAT II you'll be taking is biology. Consider taking Lit or US History. Get more meaningful SAT IIs, that may help you out.</p>
<p>Write a stellar essay, and have some excuse for not participating in ECs. If you have absolutely ANYTHING else lacking, you will not be admitted to these schools.</p>
<p>You will likely get huge scholarships at state schools and other safeties, but don't waste too much time lamenting about the ivies. Apply, of course, but realize that your chances aren't very good.</p>
<p>"Apply, of course, but realize that your chances aren't very good."</p>
<p>I disagree... though most schools don't want to admit... the SAT is a really big part of admissions, and his scores are stellar which can make up for the lack of ec's. Anyways, I would say your chances are not bad and not great... lol I know that wasn't very helpful... but w/e.</p>
<p>for specialized undergraduate programs/schools more important than having a long list of ec's is having a list of ec's that relates to your interests. for example, good ec's for wharton would probably be Future Business Leaders of America, Distributive Education Club of America, Economics Club, and things as such. but i guess it doesnt really matter now.</p>
<p>I think you have a chance, but a very low chance. Like some of the people above, you have wonderful grades and scores, BUT so does a lot of other people. Since you're a junior already the only thing you can do is write the best personal statement possilbe, and hope for the best.</p>
<p>I completely disagree with aseemo. Since Stanford and Wharton have so many valedictorians/2400s/etc. applying anyway, the only role they have is to perhaps get you into consideration. But what gets you admitted are your ECs, what distinguishes you from other people. I know many people who got into HYPSM and Wharton with much lower SAT scores (sometimes even below 2000) but with amazing ECs. Your stellar scores can in no way make up for your lack of ECs. What can, however, are essays that really distinguish you and reveal your personality, because that isn't that well reflected in your stats.</p>
<p>Should I get a summer job this summer tutoring kids at kumon?
Will joining cross country help ( I plan on doing this anyways, just for exercise)?
Should I take SAT II Lit even if I may have difficulty guaranteeing a 800 although 780+ is easily doable?</p>
<p>I considered joining FBLA as a freshman, but I ultimately decided I don't want to waste the money since it was not practical in the actual world (no offense intended). </p>
<p>Thanks for your honest comments! I do realize that I am way on the bottom of the applicant pool when looking at ECs, which is why I am looking for ways to boost my chances.</p>
<p>Don't give up hope. Get a job this summer if possible, and work your very hardest at it; perhaps have your employer write an extra recommendation (to be included with your two mandatory teacher recs).Join every EC you think you're interested in, and do something interesting with them. It's never too late to turn things around.</p>
<p>And yes, if you can guarantee a 780+ on the lit test, take it.</p>
<p>poor ECs are going to make it incredibly hard for you to get into the most selective schools. These places can fill their spaces 2 or 3 times over with kids who applied with great scores and grades. They use the other factors such as ECs to choose which ones to admit.</p>
<p>What have you been doing over the summers? Is there some way you can spend this summer in a meaningful way, maybe tying together the things you have been doing in previous summers? As others have said, look for something that sets you apart from all the others with excellent academics and showcase that in your applications. Good luck.</p>
<p>BS. Apply anyway. Also climb out of this CC concept that EC happen in school and are called "track" or "chess club" or "volunteer at hospital" you haven't been sitting around staring at the cieling your whole life have you? Be creative anything is an impressive EC if you spin it that way. Life is hard, be willing to call rocks diamonds and keep a straight face or prepare to not get into college of your choice. (Of course stay honest -- it's the best policy.)</p>
<p>Life is how you spin it. Write a killer essay linking your Go club experience to investing for example. I disagree with others who suggest your match is the state schools. With your stats there are many top tier schools including other Ivys & Stanford you would have a good chance for. Good luck.</p>