im focusing on model united nations, scientific research, and languages
i do some other stuff too like yearbook and student government…
im curious whether all the ppl who get accepted at top schools r into sports, music, and theatre… coz im not really interested in those things (which btw r considered hooks)
oh, and i didnt win any national awards or anything…
but thats not common where i live (in a foreign country - its a complicated story… not that im using this as an excuse or anything)
i know top schools r EXTREMELY competitive but i was wondering whether its possible 4 someone like me to get in…
<p>Not everyone who gets into an elite college has a hook. There are a lot of "normal" "average" kids who are bright but don't have national awards or a sport, etc. Hooks are a plus, but the most important factor will still be academic achievement.</p>
<p>I don't think you have to be involved in a sport or music to get into an elite college. They are a plus, but I think colleges are looking for people who have a focus, commitment, and passion to one or two things.</p>
<p>you gotta tell us more about your ECs. I also do scientific research (with National Cancer Institute), but I have an AWESOME opportunity to do state of the art HIV research. The high school intern before me (who trained me) already has at least 2 published articles under her name and will have a third article published before she finishes her freshman year in college. To have already published 3 articles in nationally renowned biology journals before turning 19 is a HUGE accomplishment.</p>
<p>Can you be more specific with what kind of scientific research you do?</p>
<p>An EC isn't so much an activity that you did, but an interest that you have. Your EC is your deep interest in scientific research, and then the work you did at the Natl Cancer Inst is evidence of your accomplishments.</p>
<p>You don't need national recognition to be accepted, but you want to stand out as being unique. Adcoms prefer "passion" and long-term commitment in one or two interests rather than a long list of unrelated activities that you have had little involvement with. Find some common themes about what you have done, and tie it together into a package along with what you want to accomplish in life. Support it with the things that you have done so far.</p>
<p>thanx!! that kind of makes me feel better. i like everything that im doing and i think im pretty committed to my ECs.
oh, and im doing bio-medical research with some ppl at the local university. im planning on publishing something in a scientific journal this year.</p>
<p>now, i still have one question... i take model UN as a class (an elective) but i also dedicate a lot of time to it at home. so does that still count as an EC or is it something i can't list on the application coz i took it as a class?</p>
<p>green<em>day</em>fan, you can still list MUN as an EC. there are many EC's that may require you to be in a class during your regular day schedule, but they still count as EC's. for many schools, this includes band, theater, athletics, mock trial, academic decathlon, yearbook, newspaper, MUN, student government, etc.</p>
<p>your EC's are typical just from looking at them. i think you'll need to provide more info for us... what have you accomplished? are you in leadership positions for any of those EC's? because ultimately, that's what colleges are looking for, not just dedicated participation in the EC's. also, make sure you show the colleges that you're really interested in the EC's and not just doing them to get accepted. those are the things that can make you stand out since your EC's are good but only typical for top college standards.</p>