Rickfoop

Although I have excellent academics (4.0 UW GPA, 35 ACT), upon starting my applications I've realized that my extracurriculars are not so great.
Here they are:

Co-president of a volunteering club (10-12) grade
Summer volunteering at a homeless shelter
Summer internship at an artists studio (unrelated to my major)
Some construction work one summer
Volunteered as a docent at an Environmental Center (answered phones and managed the gift store and such)
Involvement in Sports (9-10 grade)
Working on restoring a vintage 1974 Alfa Romeo
Tutoring some kids for money
No awards expect those given by my school

With these in mind, do you think it is possible to still have good-decent chances at top schools such as UCB, UCLA, UVA, USC, Cornell, Yale, and Stanford? Thanks. And if requested, ill chance back.

kfsmith

Honestly, even though your ECs are not outstanding, not everyone can cure cancer/combat malaria, etc. Your ACT and perfect GPA make you "in the door" at UCLA, UVA, USC, and UCB. Cornell, Yale, and Stanford might be slight reaches, just because most of the kids applying there will have the same academic record plus strong ECs. Make sure you write a good essay! Good luck

Rickfoop

Thanks for your input! What do others think?

Consigliere

Your academics are sooo good, should get into UCB, UCLA, UVA, USC and Cornell, i'm not sure about Yale and Stanford(they are uncertain for everyone) but you do have a good chance at those if you write a killer essay or have a good hook. Best of luck.

Rickfoop

Hey thanks for the chance, they're always much appreciated among all this nervousness with college apps.

zephyr15

Though your ECs don't look to be the strongest part of your application, they look more 'average' than weak.

I think you have a good shot at any of the schools you've listed. Though it's a numbers game, and no one is assured admission at most of them, you should definately apply.

Bubbles37

Yes I agree with zephyr15. Your ECs are average, not week. They probably won't pull down your chances. With your stellar GPA and ACT score, you have a good chance of getting in. Good luck!

Rickfoop

Thanks All!

Murphy600

What is your proposed major? Any of theECs relate?

Rickfoop

business, so no not really

Wordworker

Actually, your activities look interesting and very different from most applicants.

You have been inside some very diverse workplaces (construction site, creative business, retail department of educational organization, and social service agency). You've had paid work, both manual labor and teaching. And I doubt that many applicants are restoring old cars.

If you spend some time reflecting on your experiences, you could have some terrific and unforgettable essays and excellent chances of admission.

By the way, I think Yale doesn't have undergrad business.

Rickfoop

Thanks for your input! And haha yeah I know, if I went to Yale I'd likely major in econ.

Rickfoop

bumping for more opinions

kpeterson2011

You should be alright, you're ECs may not be great but its not like they're non-existent. What you've posted seem to be mostly summer jobs though. Overall, I would say that you've still got a pretty good shot at it. Just make sure you're essay/interview is as great as it can be. Good Luck!

Chance me? Rising Junior Transfer to Chapel Hill

lookingforward

I'm with woodworker- what do you think is missing in the EC's? Pres of some hs club? It's a nice, diverse range of experiences, shows you better, imo, than kids who only focus on hs titles or an occasional service effort. But, you will need to describe in a way that shows your responsibilities (which can show leadership) and impact. You can think about this and how to present yourself best- if you do it well, you will come across as having perspective, energy and being a nice kid. Good luck.