Academic Competitions

Applying to College
1

Hey guys I have received awards and recognition in these competitions:

USABO Semifinalist/Top 50

WYSE National Youth Delegate

UToronto International Biology Scholar with Distinction

NJ/NCF Environthon

International Aquatic Plant Design Contest Winner

NJ Chemistry Olympics (Environmental Chemistry 2nd Place); USNCO Nomination

Are there any competitions related to ecology or is it fine that my competitions are Biology? I don’t know if I would add Chem Olympics into my 5 awards

2

Btw I’m not bragging, there are people on here with amazing awards and I jus wanna know what you guys think and other competitions I should look into, specifically in Ecology/Plants

3

What do u guys think?

4

@skieurope @momofsenior1 @twogirls @chapelhillbound

5

You are a junior, yes? Have you taken any standardized tests?

In my opinion you should spend the remainder of your junior year studying for your SAT/ACT, doing well in your classes, enjoying your friends and various activities that you are presently involved in, and developing an appropriate list of schools.

I don’t see any reason to search for a competition that involves plants, but that’s just my opinion. You seem to have a lot going on already.

6

If you are interested, check out the Brain Bee. I placed first in my state and I am now preparing for the nationals. Another good competition is the DNA day essay contest. The submissions for this year are open so if you are interested, google and sign up for it. ;->

7

@domt73 You’re over thinking this.

You could make the USABO team, win gold and it would look good even if you were applying to college as a math major or comp lit major. The adcoms would just think: “smart kid, made the USABO.”

From your other threads, it seems like you’re aiming for IVYs and T20s. Keep in mind that “holistic admissions” at those schools means something on the order of: After you show us your near perfect grades and standardized test scores, we’ll look at all the rest to winnow out our choices. It doesn’t mean that superior items in one category (awards, for example) will make up for deficiencies anywhere else.

In other words, make sure you have the stats, grades, rigor, LOR’s, ECs, essays, etc., long before you worry about how well your awards align with your potential major.

8

What is a hook within college applications?

9

Underrepresented minority, first generation college, child of alumni, star/recruited athlete, etc.

10

What about being nationally or internationally recognized in a certain subject (Math, Science, etc.) @RichInPitt ?

11

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

12

I’m taking the ACT in April and in the practice test, I scored roughly a 34-35 composite

13

From multiple practice tests @twogirls

14

URM, recruited athlete, child of a celebrity/ POTUS etc, very large donor, child of alum, first gen, etc.

While it’s certainly an outstanding accomplishment to be nationally recognized in an academic area, I do not believe your awards are hooks.

15

Here is my advice:

  1. Take the ACT and get the best score possible - you have no official scores yet and this needs to be your focus
  2. Keep your grades up
  3. Continue your current ECs if you enjoy them, and stop seeking out more competitions. I am not implying that you should ignore all competitions....for example, my D’s guidance counselor found her in the fall of her senior year and told her to enter a national contest pertaining to an activity that she was in charge of. She entered the contest and updated her schools when the results came out. I just don’t think it’s necessary to search and add to your current list.
  4. Think about who you will ask to write your recommendation letters

You are more than halfway done with your junior year. It seems that you are aiming for schools at the very top. Make sure you have some safety and match schools that you would be happy to attend.

Keep in mind that you are from New Jersey…that’s a tough state. What I mean is that it’s over-represented with lots and lots of highly competitive students. We looked at many top schools and were told that they get a lot of applicants from NY, NJ, and California.