[bhickey]

    This is so true. Everyone wants to say we're not trying hard enough but we 
    really are the guys with the awesome grades, extra-curriculars, part
    time jobs, and involved in sports plus finding time to be social.

Don't confuse the sweat of your brow with hard work.

No employer has ever asked me about part time jobs, clubs or sport. Frankly I don't think any of them cared about my grades either.

These things are noisy signals, proxying for hoop jumping. What's more important is proving that you have relevant skills.

    It's tough though no matter where you are and what
    you're trying to break into.

This generalization is false. If you can program your way out of a soggy paper bag there are hordes of folks who will fill that bag with money.