To go to college I need GPA, ACT/SAT, and extracurriculars, just how much of extracurriculars do I need?

Question

Chances are by the end of first semester of senior year I am going to have a 3.8 GPA (unweighted, school hasn't started yet so this is a complete assumption). I also have an ACT score of 31. I have no extracurriculars though. Is it ok if I just work at a hospital or something, as a volunteer? Or do I have to do other stuff? I also plan on applying for National Honor Society and chances are I will make it in, so if I have NHS and hospital work will that be good enough for a college like Ohio State University (decent college, not the best but it is still pretty good)?

Answer 1

Your GPA is really good.  You should apply to a few schools that are more competitive than Ohio State.  I wouldn't be shocked if you got into Northwestern, Notre Dame, or UNC Chapel Hill.

It is a slight probem that you don't have any extra-curriculars, but not a huge deal.  They are used to decide between candidates with a similar GPA more than admissions themselves.

Joining NHS and doing a little volunteering would be good, but honestly won't help that much.

Have you worked at all?  Even babysitting or lawnmowing can be put down as an extracurricular.

Are you active in your church?  Any church groups (beyond just attending service) could be put down as extra curriculars.