<p>I expected this anger and stress throughout high school as it nears the time to fill out and send college apps. Basically I really want to get into UCLA or Berkeley like every other Cali kid but I lack in the extracurricular department. As in, I didn't get too involved in school clubs and whatnot like other kids so they could fill up their extracurricular section on their apps. I did track and cross country for a few years and am a club member of like CSF and some other one that isn't very special. I also put in hours into volunteering at a hospital but not too many (maybe like 100 at most)</p>
<p>But the thing is that I wasn't just a bookworm throughout high school. I did other things that interested me that wasn't exactly part of school or church or something like that. And I don't know if the admissions will take it as seriously as other extracurricular activities. Throughout high school I learned to surf and went frequently, I skimboard, I kayak, and I've spent a lot of time on music and being in a band but didn't play any charity shows or anything like that; we just played small gigs for fun. I also like to read about economics on my own time but still don't consider myself an expert or anything..</p>
<p>Basically what I'm asking is how do I include all of this in my common app for UC's and will admissions take it seriously or just sort of blow it off? I'm thinking about writing about music and my band in my college essay but I'm still not completely sure yet??</p>
<p>Can someone just please give your opinion on my situation? Sorry if I sound like a brat, I kind of feel like one after typing this out. But still.. feels good man.</p>
<p>If you have a 4.2 UC GPA and a minimum 2050 SAT I would not worry. Write an interesting essay and you’ll have as good a shot as those belonging to 6 useless clubs. If your score is 2200 plus, don’t worry a bit.</p>
<p>thanks redroses you’re actually reducing my stress levels just by saying that! I have a 4.3 uc gpa and will hopefully get a 2050 on my sat. I have yet to take it believe it or not, even though I’ve taken the SAT II’s and did well</p>
<p>What are you angry about ? I understand the stress that all high school seniors feel while they are going thru college application season…no one likes to feel like they are being judged. </p>
<p>To boysx3,
Perhaps I am just more frustrated then I am angry, because I am not necessarily angry at anyone. The whole high school application process just irritates me because I feel like students just join a bunch of clubs and extracurriculars just to be appbuilders and not because they care or are interested in what they’re doing. During high school I decided personally that I was just going to do what I enjoy and not spend my time faking that I’m interested in like National Honors Society or being Key Club VP or whatever. But because I’m pursuing what I’m interested in, I feel like I’m hurting my future in education. That’s what frustrates me. I’m not really angry at admissions or other students because I see where they’re coming from, and plus I couldn’t think of a better system for colleges to better pick applicants.</p>
<p>And, as Redroses said, UCs admissions are largely stats based. Your friends who sacrified grades because of a heavy extracurricular load may have misjudged the best use of their time.</p>
<p>thanks glassesarechic, i guess i’m just getting upset too easily. but i would still like to know how i can bring what I did outside of school into my app effectively. does anyone have any thoughts?</p>
<p>Perhaps in your essay. Also, you can specify some of the aforementioned activities in “Additional Information” as they should read that, and consider it. No?</p>
<p>“I feel like students just join a bunch of clubs and extracurriculars just to be appbuilders and not because they care or are interested in what they’re doing. :”</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t use ECs for admission.</p>
<p>The ones that do are far more interested in the depth and accomplishments related to applicants’ ECs than how long the students’ EC lists are.</p>
<p>On the Common App activities page, you select an Activity from the dropdown, then “Position Held, Honors won, …”, your time spent, and a line for details and accomplishments. Take note that they have a category of “family responsibilities”, And on the Writing page you have 150 words to talk about your favorite / most interesting / most impressive one.</p>
<p>“Student Government/Politics” (or “Academic”) - “Independent reading in Economics” - “Read 2 magazines regularly and about 3 books and 2 textbooks”</p>
<p>“Athletics: Club” - “Sports including surfing, skimboarding, and kayaking” - don’t need to enter more but whatever you want</p>
<p>“Community Service (Volunteer)” - “Worked in hospital” - “I especially liked mixing up the babies in their cribs”</p>
<p>Thanks for the information GeekMom63, but is saying club after Athletics referring to some sort of surfing club or outside club? Because I did those sports for fun during my free time. Also do you think saying i studied Economics would look strange seeing that i pursue a career in neuroscience?</p>