How early should I start building my extracurricular profile?

Relax—you don’t need to start your first nonprofit in fifth grade. Middle school is a good time to start dipping your toes in different activities, but don’t panic if you haven’t found your “thing” yet. What admissions officers care about most is consistency and growth. Did you stick with something and get better over time? Did you level up from participant to leader? That’s the magic. Starting early helps, but it’s not about being first—it’s about staying committed. So explore, try stuff out, fail gloriously, pivot, and then double down on what sticks. You’re not late—you’re just getting warmed up.