This is not true. My D has many more ECs in college than in HS.
She’s a writer for the school newspaper, a member of the student senate, an officer for women in business org., a peer academic advisor for next year, and a member of other clubs, organizations etc.
In HS, she played 1 varsity sport.
Most colleges have a ton of activities you can join, some selective and some not.
The key: You have to put yourself out there.
You make your own activities. You find your own path. Volunteering at a local food bank - an example given above - is open to everyone. Walking dogs at the local shelter is open to everyone 16 and over. My daughter did a sport that wasn’t connected to her school - she just took lessons and enjoyed it, never won any big awards for it. Anyone can play a sport or take tennis lessons or tae kwon do lessons or whatever they like.
I don’t think my daughter won a single award at all, not even a school award, unless you count honor roll and NHS, which most students get. She got into to the UC she applied to (she only applied to one). She didn’t do a lot of schools clubs, other than NHS. She did most of her ECs outside of school, following her interests and doing her own thing.
Stop making excuses. It won’t help you. If a club or activity you want to join doesn’t accept you, find something else. Flip burgers, walk dogs, join a book club or start a book club based around a topic you love, join an amateur bowling league, learn to play the cello, take up knitting and donate your blankets and hats to a NICU at a local hospital. Do anything you like. The majority of these things do in fact accept and welcome everyone.
I loved sports, but I couldn’t make the JV team
Have you considered being a referee or assistant coach for an elementary age recreation team?
Have you looked into sports that typically don’t cut…at our school, cross country was one.
You don’t have to do sports at all. What else do you like to do?
Over the years, several admissions team members from highly selective colleges I have seen present have been very clear they will value a part time job at a fast food restaurant over some important sounding HS club title. They want to know who you are, your work ethic, and your interests. They want quality over quantity and passion over a contrived resume building process.
Talk to your school counselor about resources in your area to find opportunities outside of school. And read your emails… I work at a school - we forward a lot of into about opportunities to students and post info, but sometimes have to go track kids down to get them to open their email for something that is important and related to something they asked for help with.
Find an organization in your community where you can pitch in that interests you. Go back to you elementary school or middle school and see if they need help with something. Help an elderly neighbor or relative with tasks they can no longer do themselves and listen to their stories. You may even find a unique college essay topic along the way.
College is a whole new world of fun intramural sports, and they don’t cut! I had a blast playing Co Ed inter tube waterpolo; ultimate frisbee; broom ball. I am sorry that HS was not what you wanted it to be. I hope you can get a fresh start in College.
My high school counselor basically told me to go away and to figure things out myself.
I would assume this is true of nearly all colleges, but every school we’ve toured touted how there are literally hundreds of student-run clubs…from super serious and competitive to silly. And the tour guides always say that “if you don’t find what you are looking for, you can start a new club.” I did intramural sports in college and I am about the least athletic person you will find. Intramural broom ball or volley ball at the lower levels was just for fun and hanging out with friends.
You also don’t need “competitive” activities to get a good job out of college! It’s a whole different game than getting into college. My D22 did very few extracurricular activities in high school (COVID canceled many things), and she focused on a part time job, and hobbies outside of school like sketching and sewing.
In college, she has focused on part time jobs (one of which is tangentially related to her career field), and has spent a lot of time with a campus religious organization where she has been a student leader. Nothing competitive! Her first summer she just worked a regular summer job, and last summer she did study abroad (not a competitive program). She still landed a great full time internship in her field for this summer! I think she will have a fine chance at getting a full time job in her field after graduation. Working hard, doing well in classes, and just showing excellence in “regular” activities (like getting promoted to a “lead” position when she worked in the campus dining center) show that she will be a good employee!
You are basically done with HS so move on in a positive manner. There is zero reason or benefit to continuing to complain and make excuses.
There are many suggestions above you can take to college with you. If you don’t get into a competitive club or team in college, focus your time and energies on opportunities in less competitive clubs. You can also seek out opportunities in the community. In the end, what you accomplish is more important than what club you participate in.
Users have provided many suggestions which the OP dismissed. And given that they were less-than-gracious in some responses, I think the thread has run its course. Closing.