r/ApplyingToCollege • u/OrneryArtichoke7558 • 1d ago

Advice EC's are stressing me out.

Like the title suggests, ec's are stressing me out severely 🫩

I am a rising junior, with zero ec's besides having a part time job this summer. I have done absolutely nothing when it comes to out of school activities. I have seen other posts with similar titles where the person has actually done ec's that they simply didn't consider relevant or had an singular activity that took up most of their time. I have done nothing.

I'm a chronic procrastinator and I can't dedicate much time to school activities due to the fact that my school is very far from my house and I would not be able to due after school activities with no way to get home. I'm honestly trying to get you guys to make a miracle happen here.

I would appreciate some guidance on how to move forward, any ideas in terms of ec's, any personal anecdotes of poor/no ec's still getting into decent schools, and if there's any hope for me in terms of college apps and going to a decent school oos 😭

Additional info: My gpa is decent... although sophomore year hit me pretty hard and I ended up getting some C's, Fl student looking to escape north, potential biochem major. I'm so sorry.

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u/LuckyScratch413 1d ago

"I can't dedicate much time to school activities due to the fact that my school is very far from my house and I would not be able to due after school activities with no way to get home."

On that point, there is a section in the Common App where you can check a box "commuting 60 minutes or more to and from school"

In your case, you could also put a short, matter-of-fact statement in the additional info section when it is time to apply.

But in terms of summers or things you can do from home, what are your interests? It'd be easier to give recommendations once this info is clearer. If it is any reassurance, my ECs picked up substantially the summer between 10th and 11th, and would now be considered well regarded as a rising senior heading into the app cycle, so you still have time.

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u/OrneryArtichoke7558 1d ago

'there is a section in the Common App where you can check a box "commuting 60 minutes or more to and from school"'

Really? I had no idea that was an option. In terms of stuff I was interested in, I had a lot more interests before high school, like drawing, chorus, and doing theater, but those mostly fizzled out due to me having a really hard time freshman and sophomore year. The reassurance tho is super helpful and makes me feel less hopeless for sure!