<p>Hi! I’m an international and I don’t have many facilities in my city, in spite of its size (about 1,3 millions). So what do you think, how would my extracurricular activities look?</p>
<p>In basketball (3d place in the district once), athletic, skiing school teams.
Used to be in our school drama club.
Used to go to models club.
Used to play field hockey (was in our region team by my age, was called the best player of our team of my age in a competition), soccer, badminton, went to the athletic club, used to go swimming.
Take part in cleaning nature events.
A participant of scientific association of students (1st place in a school conference in English section, 3d in district).
Have a lot of different Olympiad’s participant certificates.</p>
<p>I know that looks lame, but there is a small number of clubs in my city (now they open a lot of them, but I’m not allowed to get in, cause I’m old for them) and we don’t have any in our school, except for school student association, but there are only class leaders (we have a lot of them on the paper though, but they do not exist, they’re just for authorities).</p>
<p>Sorry for writing that much, but I really need to know, will it heavily affect my application?
Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>Universities know what’s available to you. They know there are many circumstances that limit where one can do their ECs or even volunteer work. They’ll judge you based on what was available to YOU, not what was available to some kid in the States with enough money to travel to Africa and build houses every year.</p>
<p>Kay- a small percentage of American kids actually have the money to do that. You make it seem like ALL Americans are rich and all internationals are poor. I don’t have many opportunities either, but I’m from big, bad, wealthy America. </p>
<p>OP- you won’t be compared to American students. Just like even we aren’t compared to each other, it’s done regionally (say they compare southern kids with each other, and each region of the Unites States have generally the same schooling system as schools in the same region, but much more different from schools in other regions) admissions counselors are well informed about your area so they are able to make adequate and well informed decisions. Good luck :)</p>
<p>Thank you, guys!
I was really worried, when I saw how many extracurriculars people here have, so I’m a little relieved.
I’ve got another question, should I write down activities I used to do, but don’t any more?</p>
<p>CPUscientist3000 - I wasn’t suggesting that, at all. I was giving two ends of the spectrum. If you check, you’ll see that the OP has stated in other posts that their family requires heavy financial aid, and has told us that there are not a lot of volunteering/EC opportunities available. I was giving an example of a kid in a completely different situation - a kid who has plenty of money and plenty of opportunities available. </p>
<p>I specifically chose to say someone in the States because, let’s face it, being a US citizen or resident gives you many more opportunities for financial aid: you can qualify for loans, there will be more scholarships for which you are eligible, etc. I’m not saying this is wrong/right/good/bad, I’m just saying it like it is.</p>
<p>I think you have plenty of sports extra curricular activities and will be fine but I would strongly suggest getting involved in charity work because colleges eat that stuff up. If they see you’re a team player who ALSO devotes time to others AND is international, you’ll be set.</p>