Importance of EC's??

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>How important are EC’s towards college admissions?
I’m a sophomore and plan to become a doctor. Aiming at schools such as Duke, HYPS, and schools of that caliber.</p>

<p>Freshmen Year</p>

<p>Gym/Health (required)
IBMYP English I
IBMYP Biology I
IBMYP World History
IBMYP Spanish II
IBMYP Alg.2/Trig.
Band
Biomedical Technology
Marching Band (counted as a class)
— 4.5 GPA, all A’s the whole year, rank: 3/250</p>

<p>Sophomore Year</p>

<p>Gym/Health (required)
IBMYP English II
IBMYP Chemistry I
IBMYP Civics
IBMYP Spanish III
IB Math Methods I (pre-calc/calc I)
AP Physics B
AP Computer Science
Marching Band (counted as a class)</p>

<p>Currently a Sophomore the IB Program taking some APs too:
Class Rank: 2/250
5.00 GPA - 2 B’s (Physics B, Comp Sci - my AP’s) 1st quarter
SAT: 1220 (660 M, 560 V) (took a Dec. SAT also to apply too NCSSM a Math/Science High School) I’m hoping for >720 M and >630 V.
PSAT: 50 V, 64 M, 50 V Freshmen year (I know I improved a lot this year)</p>

<p>Not Many EC’s so far:</p>

<p>Marching Band (2 years)
Track (3 years if I include middle school)
Pep Band (2 years)
Other Band related activities (I love playing my Sax and Trumpet)
Internship at Medical Clinic (plan to do another one, hopefully at a Hopistal or similar)
200+ Community Service Hours at Library, Church, Thrift Shops, Delivering Food to Homeless, and Tutoring Elem/Middle School Children
Sophomore Class Officer (similar to class president)
Math Club (1st year)
Science Club (1st year)
Charlotte Math Club (1st year, it is the city Math Club)</p>

<p>* Edit: I plan to do AMC and Siemmons too. (Did AMC last year, but didn’t do well) *</p>

<p>Not many Leadership Positions or Major Awards yet :frowning: </p>

<p>My question is if I start to join some more clubs next year and stay with those clubs through senior year (I’m a sophomore, so that’d be 2 years of clubs) would it look bad that I only did two years?
I did Marching Band freshmen and this year, so it limited my time to do other stuff. We practiced a lot during the summer and about 3 hours a day, 5 days a week from August - October, with light practices in Nov - Jan.
Plus many competitions on Saturday’s and some Sundays. </p>

<p>Because of financial reasons and coursework getting harder.
I would be section leader next year if I stayed (giving me a leadership position)
I won’t be able to continue though :frowning:
I love the band and would like to continue if I could. </p>

<p>What can I do? Do I need more EC’s and leadership positions/awards in competitions?
Am I on the right track to the schools above.
Suggestions would be great :)</p>

<p>If you read the whole thing, you should be honored for having patience to help me out. I give you my thanks :)</p>

2

<p>Stay with your ECs. Colleges look for depth and devotion, not for “taking every EC in your school”.</p>

<p>And even with your ECs, you’re looking better than me. I have absolutely no non-math/science ECs (which is of course, why I’m aiming for the early entrance program at the local university since I have no chance at the Ivies).</p>

3

<p>thanks simfish :)</p>

<p>anyone else?</p>

4

<p>bumpity bump bump …</p>

5

<p>bump… someone else respond please :)</p>

6

<p>I dunno. Do something spectacular, like performing at Carnegie Hall (like me).</p>

7

<p>i think you should concentrate on ECs and dig into them really deeply</p>

8

<p>I agree with imiracle. If anything some of your EC’s are too spread around. Like your community service. Pick one or two places to dedicate your time to.</p>

9

<p>Umm… try to do something fun. Lots of schools have fun stuff. Or start something weird. Cricket, Rugby or Squash perhaps? 10th grade is still a good grade to try new things.</p>

10

<p>For me anything to do with band is fun :slight_smile:
Math is also fun :slight_smile:
So is Track</p>

11

<p>Wow, practice 5 days a week. What school are you from? We only practice 3 days a week, but also before competitions. Stick with Marching Band, it shows mucho dedication.</p>

12

<p>Harding High in North Carolina.</p>

<p>I want to stick with Marching Band, but my parents won’t let me because of financial reasons.</p>

13

<p>well, i would recommend further pursuing your interests. i mean, you’re obviously an incredibly motivated and well-rounded student, but try to find your “niche”… something that you’re really into. colleges like well-rounded students with a unique specialty, i suppose. ;]</p>

<p>and trust me; chill. do ECs because you enjoy them, not solely because they’d look good on a college application. i mean, prestigious colleges look for pure passion/intellect, as well as academic merit. by the way, i’m a sophomore too, so i know what it’s like… i was so freaked out about extracurriculars too, but this year, i discovered my passion, so i’m doing everything to pursue those interests right now.</p>

14

<p>Hey michael_pham, I recently just created a post almost identical to yours. I’ll tell you what they told me, find a passion. Becoming outstanding in one area is much more impressive than being average in many other areas. So basically find a passion and play, do it, sing it, or create it until the cows come home. Best of luck.</p>

15

<p>btw I completely agree with you- band and math rock!!!
weird question but how did you get in IB classes as a freshman? I’m dumbfounded.</p>

16

<p>i think those are “pre-IB” courses. that’s what they call them at my school, anyway.</p>

17

<p>IBMYP = Pre-IB</p>

<p>I only have IB Math as an IB course right now as a sophomore.</p>

<p>Also, does it matter if I don’t get any leadership positions?
I don’t think I can get any now since I haven’t been in some clubs where other classmates have been in for a year or two.</p>