<p>D1, a high school junior, is applying for a summer program. The program has two tracks, one in the sciences (which D1 is applying to) and one in the arts. The application asks her to list any ECs in sciences or the arts. All of her ECs have been in the arts, not science--no Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, summer science camp, etc etc. She's wondering if she needs to explicitly say anything about not having any previous science ECs. I say no, she should just put down the arts ECs. She is going to say that all her previous experience in science is academic, and she wants to gain experience outside the classroom. She will also write about her eventual career goals, which do include science (though not research per se). What say the experts here? Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>The program is competitive, and it's highly unlikely she'll get tapped, if that makes any difference. </p>
<p>Is this a summer program or an internship? That makes a difference. A summer program, often at colleges, is ideal for students who want to focus on a subject they can’t during the school year, but there’s a cost to participate. An internship, by contrast, provides experience, but it’s less like school and there’s generally no cost.</p>
<p>Your D1 should not write about what she lacks. It’s about what she brings! She can write about her interests, her classes, and her goals. If this is an internship, she might need a teacher to write a recommendation that addresses her skills in the classroom setting. My children have found it’s easier to be accepted into a program than get an internship.</p>
<p>Your daughter could write about so far she’s developed her creative side, but good science is a creative process. Real life first sentence of an essay that got a friend’s son into a very competitive science program:</p>
<p>“A good scientist is an independent thinker, ready to take advantage of opportunities others have ignored.”</p>
<p>Substitute “independent” with “creative” and she could follow on with examples of how she’s developed her artistic mind, and how developing out-of-the-box thinking could enhance her science education.</p>
<p>limabeans, it’s a free albeit short-term internship. She’s been having fun with the essays, so if nothing else it’s excellent practice for college apps next year. </p>
<p>geomom, that’s a great idea, thanks so much! I’ll pass it on to D with instructions to not copy verbatim. </p>
<p>D1 got some great ideas from visiting relatives as well, e.g. noting how she wants to move from classroom experiences with science to something more in the field.</p>