<p>Like state/national level. Even local is fine. I'm nearing the end of freshman year, but the best I have is JV Quiz Bowl and co-founded a club. I do Tae Kwon Do, and I'm entering competitions and whatnot, but I don't really have anything special so far.</p>
<p>Lol, never. (I got into several top 25-50 schools, sometimes with merit aid, but no HYPSM for me.)</p>
<p>I won a national award for writing sophomore year, but that’s just about my only “impressive” EC. :/</p>
<p>2x MathCounts State (7, 8); 1x State Math Competition (9) (which is tomorrow, so I should be practicing…)
4x Science Olympiad State medallist (7, 8, 9) (just won another yesterday!)
1x Science Olympiad National Top 10 (8)
2x Semi-National Karate Tournament Champion (7, 9)
2x State Science Fair; 2x silver medallist (7, 8) (too lazy this year, lol)</p>
<h2>2x State Robotics Competitions Finalist (team) (7,8)</h2>
<p>The reason I mentioned my prior achievements is that you can see how they build up over time (not intending to look like I’m bragging, but it probably comes off that way. Many might argue that they’re not that impressive, but you can see what I’m getting at). The earlier you become involved in things, the easier it is to get good.
So starting now isn’t too late, you can still build by working on a plethora of things and seeing which you like best. </p>
<p>To directly answer your question: I started in 7th grade, but only with the interest of challenging myself and having fun with my friends. Over time, I found what I was good at and what I didn’t like so much (<em>cough</em> History Day <em>cough</em>). Keep exploring until you find something you enjoy AND are good at. Having both makes the experience SO much better!</p>
<p>I’m sure others will have their own opinions.</p>
<p>My most notable one I guess I started freshman year but didn’t realize how big it was until this year. I’m continuing to develop and get better at it. That’s a pretty good amount of ECs for freshman year. You still have three or two full years to join more activities. I also did not do much freshman year but definitely joined more interesting stuff this year that I enjoy doing. </p>
<p>When I was a freshman I had no intention of becoming the /best/ computer maintenance technician in my state, but life happens. 
</p>
<p>I’m going to be a junior in a few months and all I have is hospital volunteering and membership in 2 clubs. yeezus</p>
<p>Uh, I’m currently assistant editor of my school’s newspaper and will be editor-in-chief. The newspaper itself is a state and national award winning paper, so I guess that counts?</p>
<p>Other than that, I don’t have any EC on a state or national level, though I do have pretty decent ECs.</p>
<p>This is a great question, I need help on my EC’s too! :(( </p>
<p>Never.</p>
<p>Starting second half of sophomore year lol. But I don’t have impressive or special EC’s, I only have things like volunteering, clubs, and tennis. Hopefully I get accepted into an internship program that I applied for, though!</p>
<p>Yea, from what I see people start to really into in the last two years.</p>
<p>That’s probably because they truly discover what they enjoy and dedicate themselves into it then, I’m assuming.
Really hope I come up with something by September along with my sister 
</p>