A hook to make me stand out?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm only in 8th grade, so I'm younger than a lot of people on this site. Like almost everyone else, I'd like to have the option of going to a very good college. At the moment, I'm trying to figure out ways to find some extra curriculars. I want to be myself and find activities that I'm passionate about. </p>

<p>So far, I've started Varsity Cross Country and I think I'll continue that for the next four years, I was captain of the modified team, and I did softball for two years. I was also Rookie of the Year for the Varsity team and I've received various other awards that I don't think will help me much for college. I also founded and am the president of a volunteer tutoring club at my school, and I'm starting to volunteer at my local hospital, which I think I'll continue doing for a few years. I plan on continuing clarinet until my senior year, which would be 8 years of playing, and I've been told that I'll probably end up in Wind Ensemble (college level music/professional). When I am in high school, I also plan on doing a few clubs for fun all four years.</p>

<p>I usually manage to "excel" at the things that I work hard at. I have received minimal help from adults in I am fairly ambitious, and I would really like to challenge myself by attending a top college, potentially Ivy League. Unfortunately, it seems as though that is almost impossible for those who aren't legacy, recruited athletes, URMs, etc. I would like to find something that will make me stand out, and work very hard at it, so I at least know that I made the best of my abilities. Any suggestions? I was thinking of starting a nonprofit and holding fundraisers, and hopefully this could grow and raise a lot of money for the cause of my choice. I honestly doubt that it would make a big difference though. </p>

<p>As far as grades, I am not in high school yet so I'm not sure if my grades in middle school reflect what my performance in years to come would be. However, many teachers have told me I am one of the best all around students they've taught(I'm assuming this was mainly to boost my self esteem), and I have top grades in my class as far as I know(I truly hope I don't come across as obnoxious, I just want to emphasize that my focus is developing myself outside of school).</p>

<p>Does anyone on here have any advice for something that would make me stand out? I do want to clarify that I do not want to get involved with activities for the sole purpose of making my résumé look good. I want to find something that I am actually passionate about, and I have yet to find something that I absolutely love. Some areas of potential interest are helping people, science, and math (I know that's extremely vague). Thank you so much if you took the time to read this huge post! I know there have probably been many posts just like it, but I would really appreciate it if anyone offered any advice.</p>

2

<p>Just be yourself, and do the things that you like to do, not the things to impress others. You’re a little too young to have so many worries. Just enjoy what you do, study hard, and do your best on your test scores. And before deciding on a “top” school, have an idea of what interests you. Not every “top” school is the right school for everyone, but rest assured, a school that is not considered a “top school” (an unbelievably subjective and misleading term) may be the best school for you.</p>

3

<p>Thank you, I knows there’s a lot of truth to that. I fully accept that I probably will not get into an Ivy League (except for Cornell, which I have legacy at and supposedly could get in). I am trying to stay true to myself and I hope I never do anything specifically for the purpose of looking good for colleges. I trust that if I work my hardest, I can get into a college that is right for me. At the moment, I am very interested in becoming a doctor. This is partly because my dad is a doctor and he has talked to me a lot about the medical field, so I’ve already developed an interest in it. I also want to find a profession that directly helps people. It may be pointless to say that considering my age and the fact that I may very well have completely different ambitions by the time I go to college. </p>

<p>I think you’re right, and that I should enjoy myself. However, I still would like some ideas for new things to try that I may be passionate about. </p>

4

<p>Almost all hooks are out of your control (e.g. parents’ huge donations). The only hook that is based on your own achievement or merit is being a good enough athlete to be recruited – of course that only matters at colleges interested in recruiting you for your sport (although performing at a high level in the sport would make it a more-impressive-than-most EC at other schools which do consider ECs).</p>

<p>Since you are in 8th grade, it is rather early to be thinking about college and career now other than general preparation, since you are likely to change your mind. Take the most rigorous high school courses that you can handle and get A grades in them. Take the PSAT in junior year to try for National Merit. Take the SAT and ACT in junior year; if not satisfied, you still have a chance to retake the initially-better one in senior year. If you are considering colleges that need SAT subject tests, take them at the end of the school year when you complete the matching course. The only thing you need to know about medical school now is that college or dual-enrollment courses (not AP or IB courses or tests) taken while in high school will affect your GPA for medical school application purposes, so if you take such courses, getting A or A+ grades is good, but getting B+ or lower grades is bad for medical school application purposes.</p>

5

<p>I’m a physician myself, and pursuing the profession because of a family member’s experience may or may not be the right way to go. Medicine is changing everyday. I can tell you that I am not terribly optimistic about the future of medicine (and actually hope that my kids do not pursue a career in medicine), but those who practiced 20 years before me loved it. And believe me when I say that not getting into an Ivy League school never affected me or the thousands of physicians that didn’t either. </p>

6

<p>I know that it isn’t necessary to get into an Ivy League school, and of course I’m not dead set on going to medical school. As I said, I think I’ll have a better idea of what I want to do later on. I would like to get into an Ivy League college to challenge myself, but I am aware of the fact that I will most likely not get into on of those schools. I agree that it may be a little early to be thinking about college, but I’m actually excited about the opportunity rather than feeling stressed. I probably shouldn’t have used the term hook to describe what I’m looking for. I do want to show that I can be dedicated to one hobby, but more importantly I want to find something I’m passionate about. Thank you both for the advice though, I will try to relax and enjoy myself instead of worrying about college. Of course I’ll also consider all other possible fields, and I’ll remember that Ivy Leagues schools aren’t necessary or even the best choice for me.</p>

7

<p>First stop saying ‘Ivy League’ and replace that with ‘great college’. Hopefully that will begin a new attitude of exploration about what makes a great college and the many that are out there.</p>

<p>Why don’t you google ‘citizen science’ and find a project to get involved with that seems like it might be interesting.</p>

<p>The idea to start a nonprofit is almost a cliche lately. Start with what you can do in your community, through your volunteer work. See if you find a need to fill, rather than start with the generic goal to ‘start a nonprofit’.</p>

<p>You might like to check out Cal Newport’s blog/books, How to be a High School superstar. I don’t know if I am totally on board with his approach, but he is thought provoking. </p>

8

<p>Sorry, I don’t really know much about this. I shouldn’t be saying Ivy League because I’m interested in all challenging schools that might be suitable for me. I have begun to try to make changes in my community, and right now I’m very happy with the tutoring club. I hope that it will help bring grades up overall especially for kids who can’t afford tutors. I do have a desire to make more changes and to actually make a significant difference, as I’m sure many kids hope to do. I think that once I start volunteering at the hospital, I will see there are any improvements I can think of that are possible. I know it is very cliche, but do you think it would be pointless to ask if I could bring a group of kids to read to the kids and elderly patients? Last year I spent a lot of time tutoring and working with a kid with down syndrome and I found that it helped a lot to read to him. I’m just trying to brainstorm ideas for things I can do that are in my area of interest. Also, I would absolutely love to try interning somewhere(for the experience of having responsibilities, not necessarily to get more experience in an area of interest).</p>

<p>I feel as though I’m coming across as an obnoxious kid that’s focusing completely on the future. I am fully aware that getting into the best college is not the most important thing. I apologize if I am being ignorant.</p>

9

<p>First, don’t worry you will get into a college. The question is whether it will be a good fit for you. That takes some looking around and perhaps some luck.</p>

<p>Beyond that, remember that you can get into medical school from almost any college, and with almost any major. You do not need to major in biology or even science. There is some evidence that the best preparation for medical school might be majoring in Latin. I suppose this could be because so much of medical nomenclature is in Latin.</p>

<p>So, my advice is to find a school which you think is very interesting; perhaps because of curriculum, or maybe its location (NOT because your best friend went there, or your parents went there) or because of specific extra-curricular activities at that school. The school might be challenging to you or it might be a breeze, but if you really like it then you will thrive.</p>

<p>VISIT COLLEGES! This is way underestimated. Far too many students head off to a campus which they have never seen nor set foot on. This is a mistake… most of the time (but there are exceptions). Such visits do not need to be planned or organized. They can occur when you are on vacation with your parents, or on your way to summer camp, or any other time that you happen to be traveling. And, no, you do not need to take the official campus tour. Just walk around the campus, shop in the bookstore, eat on campus, etc… This will tell you a lot.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

10

<p>Good Lord. You are still in middle school. Relax. . You sound like a great kid destined for great things… Do things you love. Make the most of your opportunities. Don’t worry so much about interim steps like which college. you go to. This is not a sprint, it’s a race. Concentrate on the here and now. Things will shake out. If you are still obsessing in couple of years, come back and post.</p>