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What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Dealing with a Mostly Blank High School Resume

My high school resume is mostly blank since I haven't been super involved in activities or jobs. Any advice on how I can improve it?

9 months ago

Absolutely! Firstly, remember it's never too late to start getting involved. Joining clubs, participating in sports, volunteering in your community, or getting a part-time job can all be great ways to fill your resume.

Looking ahead, you might want to explore what interests you and align that with potential extracurricular activities. For example, if you're interested in journalism, consider joining or creating a school newspaper. If you're into environmental causes or community service, consider volunteering for a local charity organization or starting a recycling program at school.

Even if certain clubs or organizations are currently full, check if there might be roles you could fill or projects you could lead. For instance, volunteering to manage a club's social media accounts, organizing a fundraising event, or coordinating a community outreach project could set you apart.

Additionally, don't undervalue any non-traditional experiences you have. Maybe you've helped take care of a younger sibling, worked a part-time job to support your family, or cultivated a significant personal hobby. All of these can help demonstrate important qualities such as responsibility, initiative, and commitment.

Lastly, remember that quality matters more than quantity. Highly selective colleges are often more interested in depth and commitment to a handful of activities than a long list of loosely connected experiences.

9 months ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.