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I'm a junior right now and realizing that my EC's aren't exactly stellar. Any good schools were they don't matter so much? I'm pretty sure my stats are on level with those admitted to the better schools.

By Barrons (Barrons) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 06:15 pm: Edit

Most state schools

By Blah1111 (Blah1111) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 06:46 pm: Edit

It all depends on what you mean by "stellar." If you are very committed to even a few extracurricular activities (three or four years of involvement or a comparable amount), then that should put you in the running for many of the top 25 schools. Stellar extracurricular activities, in my opinion, are those to which you've dedicated more time, not necessarily the amount you have.

By Susu (Susu) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 07:01 pm: Edit

Barrons is right. Many big state schools do admits mostly by the numbers (GPA, test scores, classes you took). An alternative: go to school in the UK. English schools are TOTALLY about the subject you want to "read"--physics, history, whatever. Just be sure you really know a LOT about that subject before applying.

By Nightflarer (Nightflarer) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 07:56 pm: Edit

Well, I have been playing soccer for 10 years. Does that count for anything even though it's not an academic activity?

By Moco (Moco) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 09:33 pm: Edit

10 years of soccer is great. ECs don't have to be academic at all as long as you're committed to it.

By Mhawk177 (Mhawk177) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 02:59 pm: Edit

I dont think MIT cares at all really what youve been in. Theyre looking more for the genius/ national award winning types

By Susu (Susu) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 06:45 pm: Edit

"not exactly stellar"? And you've been playing soccer for ten years???? Switch to decaf, honey. YOu worry too much. Ten solid years in a sport shows dedication and commitment and is LOTS better than three science fairs, two clubs, and a year editing the class paper. Were you ever team captain, so you can show leadership? Did you help coach little kids at soccer so you tie in your community service with your sport? If anything, look into schools that really VALUE sports experience.

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 07:22 pm: Edit

ECs are not necessarily related to academics! They can be but need not be. In fact, I think it is preferable to see kids who are more than JUST academics. Just so you realize, I will give my own kid as an example. She is heavily involved in ECs that she has done her entire life...many....every afternoon, night and weekend. NONE are academically related. And she got into very selective schools.

PS...ONE of her ECs also was soccer.....13 years. Oh yes, also coached youth soccer like someone mentioned above.

Susan

By Skiowad (Skiowad) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 08:45 pm: Edit

What if you played a sport for a long time(around 10 years), but after your soph year, you quit. Would you still get credit for it? Or will it be reduced greatly becuase I quit? thanks

By Deor (Deor) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 06:47 pm: Edit

>>>>Most state schools>>>>>

How about all the UCs?