I'm a 9th grader in high school, and until further notice the only extracurricular I'm participating in is the Schools for Schools club. (Basically we raise money to build schools in Uganda.) I meant to join Photography club as well, but I asked around and it sounds like it died over the summer. And sports are just... never.
I get straight A's (but I don't grade-grub, actually, I'm one of those really smart slackers). And I've heard before that 9th grade year "doesn't count as much."
So am I okay or am I completely ruining my chances of getting into an elite-to-excellent college by participating so little this year? Even if I step it up to 2-3 extracurriculars for 10th and 11th grade? I'm really confused and the guilt is driving me crazy. there isn't a problem.
but look around in the 9th grade to see what things you might like to join in the tenth grade. You'll be fine.
When it actually comes time to fill out college apps, you'll find its easier to fluff up what you actually did. Like, if you went to one humane society meeting, say you participated in it, stuff like that. 9th grade isn't really a big deal at all.
But, I do suggest you stick to your schools for schools club all the way through to 12th grade because colleges love consistency. Don't worry about it too much. Colleges love to see proof that you are growing and improving yourself over time. Ideally, your grades should improve just a bit each year while also challenging yourself with harder courses. The involvement you listed is fine for your freshman year. Each year, try to branch out and become more and more involved in your school, eventually taking leadership positions where you can. Hope you enjoy your freshman year, don't stress about college too much yet. Just concentrate on keeping those grades up. Wow... are you sure a 9th grader is asking a question like this?!
Ok let me tell you something. What colleges are mainly looking for are 2 things:
1. That you constantly impove
2. Extracurriculars
Ok here is the deal, when you apply for college, most of them will have a box that says your extracurriculars and how many hours you spent on it a week. Some of my friends got into college with like barely any clubs but dedicated most of their time to them.
When I was in 9th grade, I was in about 2-3 clubs but focus more on my grades. Later, they want to see you take harder classes and mantain those A's. If being in multiple clubs prohibits that, then don't join them.
What I totally recomend is to get involve with your school. If there are not a lot of clubs, start one! Get into your student goverment etc. etc. They want to see that you are well versed in activities but not slacking in your grades. I feel that this way, you will have a few clubs that you are really involved with and it would show more to the college that you are a leader not a follower.
Don't join clubs just because college says they want it. they really don't like students that are in like a billion clubs and don't go to meetings etc. Aim for clubs you are REALLY interested in since it shows colleges what type of person are ya.
I didn't do sports either. What I did do was volunteer. That is an easy thing to do over the breaks and vacations. It shows you care about the community!
Good luck with 'Best' 4 years of your life! (I think college is better Lol) |
