<p>I don't know if this is the right forum, but oh well. </p>
<p>I really enjoy writing and humanities. The only thing is, it seems much more difficult to find programs and oppurtunities compared to math and science (they have all those cool events like Olympiads, USAMO, etc.). I did manage to find out about Davidson Fellows and TASP, which seem like the top programs for humanities. I'll definitely apply, but since these events are so competitive, I need some other way to effectively show my passion. </p>
<p>For writing, I'm hoping to get some pieces published in magazines, and enter essay contests...I haven't won barely anything yet, though. And the only thing other than that ties into the writing aspect is that I'm Editor-in-Chief of the Newspaper. But I was hoping to build up my passion until it's almost a hook (or tip), and I'm not sure what steps to take from here. Is there anything more I can do?</p>
<p>For humanities (I like history mostly), I don't know what path I should take from here. I've mostly had experience just through high school AP classes, and watching the History Channel (I know, not really signifigant at all). I've been volunteering at a museum, and taking classes at the local CC, but other than that, I can't really seem to find anything that would allow me to pursue my interests.</p>
<p>Any suggestions, advice or insights would be tremendously helpful. I'm not sure what do from this point, but I do know that I really want to find more ways to develop and show my passion.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you’re trying way too hard to construct an artificial profile of yourself. If you have the passion, just keep doing what you’re doing. Keep an eye out for the opportunities which will almost surely come your way.</p>
<p>Start a literary magazine or a writing club. Work in a library. Teach kids to read. Write some fantastic essays. Maybe try and write for a local newspaper. Do your EC essay on all the writing you’ve done for fun/ cannot mention on your app. Read a lot of historical fiction or non-fiction. Write an essay or article about times you’ve spent watching the History Channel and what you’ve gotten out of it. Specifically for college: Contact professors in Humanities departments of colleges you’re interested in and ask them about classes you’re interested in, and quote them in your ‘Why this college’ essays. </p>
<p>Haha. I don’t really know if any of these are feasible.</p>
<p>^thanks for the ideas, I definitely will look into some of them</p>
<p>@FDAMom: I’m sorry if my question rubbed you the wrong way. I’m not trying to create an “artificial” profile or anything of that sort. In my area, there really aren’t many oppurunities for aspiring writers/humanities people, or for any other sorts of passions. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled, but I’ve come to the realization that oppurtunities won’t just fall into my lap, and that I need to do something on my own if I ever want to improve my writing.</p>
<p>I don’t know where you live or what year you are in, but a lot of areas have writing workshops, and I know there are summer programs at many universities and colleges vis-a-vis creative writing, and whatnot. The lit. mag idea is fantastic, too.</p>
<p>I would love to do a writing workshop, but they certainly don’t hold any around here, maybe I should hold my own? Nevermind, I hardly think I should be teaching other people to write, when I’m not an expert or anything.
I can’t really afford any of the summer programs at the Unis, I was looking into one, and it was $3,000!</p>
<p>Definitely write a novel. If it becomes published, that’s a hook. If it doesn’t, writing a novel is still a major accomplishment, and you can send colleges a section of it. </p>
<p>If you don’t want to do that, do what others have said and write for local or regional stuff and enter contests (although it might be too late for college apps, as the result will need to be in by late february or so).</p>
<p>And I don’t think it seems like you’re trying to create an artifical profile. I think the OP just wants to get some form of credit for their passion.</p>
<p>YOu can start a writing workshop. It isn’t difficult, at all… There is a book called “writing alone and with others” which will show you the way to do this. You could get an english teacher involved, or you could do it with all students. I also wouldn’t assume there aren’t any going on around you. Look in the arts section of your local paper. If you have any bookstores nearby, they’d probably love to let you do it there, or they might already have something. Be inventive. You really could start one.</p>
<p>There are tons of things you can do locally, and they seem much more sincere than winning a contest for the recognition. </p>
<p>If you want your writing to be a hook, the easiest and best way to show that is to hit the essays out of the ballpark. They’re you’re perfect opportunity to show the admissions people your talent. :)</p>