<p>Top colleges like Princeton say they can look over students they turned down and fill their class with kids just as good as the ones they accepted. They are simply deluged with top kids, many more than they can take. The top schools look for accomplishment as part of strong ECs. Applying without any ECs other than “member of this” or “participant in that” will make your chances almost zero. </p>
<p>Questions about ECs come up regularly; see what a Ivy alumni interviewer says at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-whats-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-whats-good.html</a></p>
<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [How</a> Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]How”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) I don’t agree with all that’s in them, but take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some ideas.</p>