<p>I am currenty in freshman year of high school, and my dream university is M.I.T. Do you think these ECs are notable enough to, along with top grades, get me into M.I.T.?
1) Either learning how to play singing Tesla coils or the piano, which do you think would be better?
2) Learning how to code independently
3) Participating in national math competitions and science fairs, and the math olympiads
4) Running for student council, although I don't think I'll get elected
5) Creative writing, most probably writing a science fiction (to show my interest for science) novel and/or short stories.</p>
<p>Search out how MIT rejected the kid who built a working nuclear reactor in his garage.</p>
<p>You’re mistaken if you think there’s a magic formula of getting into MIT – as if a list of notable ECs would be the key. MIT wants dynamic thinkers and hungry learners. How one displays that is what you should be searching for – not lines on your resume.</p>
<p>In addition to the good advice you got there from T26e4, note that a good chunk of the app is out of your control. The recommendations you get from teachers and counselor play heavily into MIT’s decision process. You are too young to set your sights so heavily on a single school. Forget college for now and live fully in your world. Take full advantage of the opportunities in front of you right now this year, and don’t worry too much what will happen in the years ahead.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help. I also wanted to know if coding and creative writing would be considered extracurricular activities or just hobbies/interests. Moreover, I can’t decide between piano and singing Tesla coils, which would be better?</p>
<p>These are all worthwhile. There is no right or wrong here. Don’t choose based on what impact your choice might have on your future. Choose based on what impact your choice has on your life this week, this month, this year. Choose based on what is the right answer for you, today, as a freshman. Live fully in the activities you select now, not with the expectation that your efforts will bring something greater for you in the future.</p>
<p>Notable is not a matter of what you do, it is a matter of what you accomplish. Stop trying to reverse engineer yourself to fit. Instead, do what inspires you and find the school that fits you.</p>
<p>Get off CC and start doing stuff. Come back when your are a Junior. Then spend some time researching more schools, you can’t apply to just one reach.</p>
<p>[Applying</a> Sideways | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways]Applying”>Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions)</p>