Just want to repost your description of your daughter’s main extracurricular:
“on the community service front, maybe I undersold her a bit. Starting in 8th grade she and four friends have been raising money and awareness for girls education in poor countries. They choose a different country every year, learn about the roadblocks to education in that culture and partner with a charitable organization in the country. They’ve raised over $7k and held a number of community service events to raise awareness. She’s already started planning the events this year.”
Personally I think this is a really wonderful EC. Some things I like about it: it started early and has lasted a long time; it is international; it requires many skills; it is outside of school (it seemed your son’s activities were mainly school-based); it shows initiative, persistence, cooperation etc.) I am curious how she got into this in the first place. The tricky thing is getting it across to colleges. Merely mentioning it in one line on an application won’t do it. Perhaps she could cover it in a supplemental essay or send in a supplement with brochure, resume or list of skills learned/tasks accomplished, and a recommendation letter from someone in the organization. You can call admisions and ask them.
I also think the two languages is great, and taking Chinese is a big plus, regardless of whether she wants to pursue it. I know kids who used their language during a summer project, traveling to the country for a program for instance, but that is only a good idea when the interest is genuine (and the family can afford it or there is a grant!). A lot of musicians are going to China, for one thing…
I can’t emphasize enough that college admissions people are really good at sniffing out authenticity or the lack thereof. I think your daughter will do fine and you should encourage her to apply where she wants, with a safety or two that she could go to happily. I think she should reach high so to speak. Again, the extra point on the ACT isn’t that important but if it is important to her, so be it- as long as she is not too stressed. Good luck!!
ps a couple of books not mentioned: “The Gatekeepers” about Wesleyan admissions (I read this AFTER it was all over!) and Cal Newport’s “How to be a High School Superstar” if you can stand it. I think your daughter is already following the prescriptions of the latter book, naturally 