<p>I know this sounds really paranoid but I want to know if my EC activities look unique enough for top schools such as Penn, Columbia, CMU, etc because after being on these forums for a while I don't know if I stand out at all.</p>
<p>( I have a 4.0 GPA and a 2230 on the SAT, but I am applying for junior standing so I'm ok with academics; I just need to know about the ECs)</p>
<p>Here is the list:</p>
<p>College:
Founder/President- Philosophical Debate Society
President- Indo-American Culture Association
Intern- Montgomery County Democratic Committee
Founder/Secretary- County's Young Democrats Chapter
State Director- Women's Caucus of College Democrats
Minority Caucus/Outreach Chair- State Young Democrats
Liason between State Young Dems and Obama Campaign
Intern for Obama Campaign
State Director- Youth Political Consulting Firm
Debate Coach- Local HS Debate Team
*future: research internship in bioengineering at local university</p>
<p>HS: ( only important ones)
Founder/President- Township Young Democrats (position is still active)
President/Debate Captain- Speech and Debate Team (I had a stellar debate record)
Founder/President- International Film Club
State HS Director- Students for Obama</p>
<p>your ec’s look very strong on the whole. However as a prospective bio major, it seems that you lack strong ec’s in bio…i think your chances would be much greater as a philosophy or politics xfer</p>
<p>People on CC should not have to tell you what ECs “you must do.” Just do the ones you’re passionate about. Your question was pretty ridiculous, even by CC standards.</p>
<p>Definitely apply as a Poli. Sci. transfer - I think you’ll stand a much better chance then. Obviously, the level of involvement in each of your activities will be a much better indicator of your qualification than a list - so we can’t tell you definitively here. Just do the best you can.</p>
<p>I should also say that these Chances threads are counterproductive, and usually amount to no more than the OP wanting to hear what he wants to hear. Don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Sorry that was not what I meant; I apologize if I was unclear. It’s just sometimes people have an idea of what sorts of activities one can pursue-- which is why I asked for a recommendation as opposed to a mandate.
It has been difficult for me to find bio-related ECs because many research jobs require students to have previous lab experience, which many students at accredited schools can get from doing independent studies with profs. At my cc, on the other hand, no bio professor has time ( since there are so few profs and most teach 4-5 classes per semester). This is why I was wondering if there was anything else I should pursue that I have not already tried.</p>
<p>Not really - research is generally the core activity for science majors. It’s not like high school where you try to accumulate as many trivial activities (like Science Club, Science Olympiad, etc.) as possible. I feel like, for transfers at least, focus and passion is always better than being a gunner, which would’ve worked in HS. Yes, it’s difficult in your situation, but really try hard to come up with something by the time you transfer. Find a professor (perhaps at another University) who’s willing to give you a project, be willing to work with him on it, and stick with it. Try to get into a role that you’ll get a lot out of, instead of one that basically forces you into lab monkey tasks.</p>
<p>You should also think carefully about your approach to transfer admissions - that’s my advice. Because if you choose to have a Biology focus, a laundry list of additional and rather extraneous ECs in Poli. Sci. related stuff could dilute focus in your application - so that’s something to think about. It’s also about balance in your other stuff, but mainly about showing passion IMO.</p>
<p>Oh alright, yeah I see what you’re saying my path does seem misconstrued. Thank you so much for the suggestion, aerialblue; I will definitely try to get an independent research project.</p>
<p>I’m guessing it would look better if I said I wanted to major in polisc and maybe minor in biochem?</p>