I have practically no awards or extracurriculars. What do I do?

gardenstategal
Tue, 01 Jul 2025 19:27:34 +0000

It’d really help if you stepped back and thought about why AOs look at ECs and awards. They are trying to get a picture of who you are, how you engage with what intetrsts you, and how you spend your time.

Most awards don’t really move the needle unless they are at a very high level.

So what excites you? How might you use that to connect with others? Or how might you pursue it outside school?

For students considering very selective schools, great grades are a given. AOs want to see where you take it from and beyond there. Maybe you do after school tutoring in your neighborhood. Maybe you have a job. Maybe you can shadow someone. Maybe you learn a new skill that you think could be applicable - or simply that interests you.

No AO wants you to curate your life to create a good application. They want you to have the life you want, and to excite them enough about it to make them want you at their school.