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I'm currently a sophomore at a science magnet school. Since we have a huge workload and get out at 4:30 every day, I feel like I have no time for extracurriculars. I'm an active member in our school's (small) MDA chapter and I volunteer at a hospital on Saturdays. I also swim (not competitively) and I'm in the school orchestra and choir, but I'm not distinguished in any of them. I'm planning on applying for Columbia's SHP, joining the yearbook staff, and entering a regional science fair but I'll only have the time and resources in junior year. Is it too late for me to start working on ECs then?


If all else fails, would my grades help? somehow? My GPA is a 3.99 on a 4.0 scale (we have no A+s here), my PSAT score was a 230, and as of now I have As in all my classes. My school doesn't rank so I have no idea where I stand.

So be honest...am I a hopeless case?

By Heatwave345 (Heatwave345) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 11:48 am: Edit

no u have a good chunk of EC's...

since u are a science person, try to get a research done over the summer or soemthing.

By Snurp (Snurp) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 06:32 pm: Edit

Yeah, I'm thinking of asking my bio teacher if there's any internship opportunities available for me over the summer. I just don't know if I seem like I'm taking my extracurriculars seriously. For example, since I started violin late (around 8th grade) there's no way I could make the regional orchestra. I also tried running for class secretary last year, but since I didn't know as many people as the incumbent did, I lost. I think I'm really dedicated in what I do...I don't know how I can prove that without earning leadership positions and recognition. It seems a bit late for me to start working on them.

By Heatwave345 (Heatwave345) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 10:56 am: Edit

don't worry about it. this is how i think of college admissions

EC's - 1/3
GPA - 1/3
SAT - 1/3

u obviously have the GPA and SAT covered, so that's 66% right there. If u don't feel extremely confident about your ECs take a couple of points off (u shouldn't take too much off b/c you have decent ECs). SO u end up having 66% + let's say um....25%, u end up with a 91 which is good in most colleges.

*i know this isn't the way colleges determine admissions, but it's a rough sketch*

about the violin, u don't have to be on the regional orchestra to say that your a violin player. Perform in showcases, compete in competition, etc. and stick those awards on the college apps.

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 12:49 am: Edit

Essays are pretty big too.

Talk with a GRT or go to the Career Center (if you have all that). They always have the latest info on opportunities.

By Drago (Drago) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 01:35 am: Edit

Well, I don't have a lot of ECs...but I have one major, outstanding one. Most schools, especially big schools like MIT, look not for the BULK of ECs but rather how you participated in the ECs you have.

Be bold, grab a teacher and entice them to help you start a computer programming club or something like that you enjoy!

drago