u/Dull-Bluebird5389

Look, I used to think that students must participate in ECs because they help develop leadership, discipline, and other important skills.

In European countries and other developed nations like the USA, UK, Australia, etc., ECs matter a lot for university admissions. Even an average university in the USA or UK may look at your extracurricular activities.

Looking at these developed countries, their education systems often promote and encourage students to participate in ECs, and I have no objection to that. I actually think it is a good thing.

But let’s talk about countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Many of these countries have a similar, traditional education system where most of the focus is on theoretical knowledge. There are limited opportunities for extracurricular activities, and most of them are concentrated in urban areas. Students from rural areas often don’t even get the chance to participate in meaningful ECs.

My main point is this:

If a student like me wants to go abroad, especially to the USA, and attend an Ivy League university, the universities look for students who have meaningful and impactful extracurricular activities. I have the desire and determination to participate, but I never had many EC opportunities because my country and my area simply did not provide or support them.

My friend told me to learn Python and do some online ECs, and I’m going to do that. But I don’t think simply doing a few basic online activities will make an Ivy League university accept me.

I have about one and a half years left before I finish high school, so I want to know:

What kind of ECs should I participate in or start that could genuinely strengthen my profile for Ivy League universities?

People who are born in developed countries are honestly lucky. They have access to so many opportunities that people like us can only dream about. They grow up with better facilities, more security, better education, stronger job markets, and a much better chance of building a good future.

They probably never understand what it feels like to struggle with migration and all the barriers that come with it. We have to worry about things like IELTS, SAT, academic scores, visa requirements, and so many other things just to get the chance to study in a country like the USA. Meanwhile, they can grow up there, go to college, get part-time jobs, earn their own money, join extracurricular activities, and have access to opportunities from a young age.

They may never understand what it's like to live in a low-income country where unemployment, inflation, and a lack of opportunities are everyday problems.

They can do so many things that we can only dream about.

Sometimes I honestly wish that, if I ever got another life, I would be born in the USA instead of being born in this country.

Today, the competition is at its peak.

I am from India, and I have a dream of studying at MIT. I scored 72% on my 10th board exams. Right now, I am studying the PCM stream with Computer Science. I have a strong interest in computer science and studying abroad, but I don't know how to achieve that goal.

I have only one and a half years left to prepare. I have heard that only Olympiad winners and top students get accepted, so I feel like I don't stand a chance.