conveying less formal activities

Applying to College
1

<p>Most of my ECs are not related to my intended major, math. I do music about 3 hours a day, some theater, and some writing. A lot of it has a science twist--I write for the school science publications, tutor math, and mostly do the technical side of theater. I am slightly concerned about conveying genuine interest in math, though, especially since I don't have a slew of advanced classes and I don't do competitions. I am submitting a math Intel paper, and I did a summer math program.</p>

<p>Most of what I do in math is informal--making up or picking up interesting problems, thinking about them, talking them over with mathy friends or on Art of Problem Solving. Working through math team-ish problems from old contests, the more interesting textbooks (Spivak, etc.), that sort of thing. I'm only in Calc BC this year (I could've doubled up precal/calc last year, but decided there was no reason to rush, and I'd rather take a writing class), and I've studied higher math, but only independently, not officially.</p>

<p>I guess I'm wondering how to convey that this stuff is really important to me, or show that it's meaningful even among the hordes of math team/sci olympiad/USAMO people who apply. I'll probably incorporate it in essays, but I can see how something along the lines of "exploring" math or "independent study" could seem trivial compared to competitions and formal things.</p>

<p>Thanks for any input.</p>

2

<p>cool. </p>

<p>Write your essay about these math related things.
That's all pretty interesting! Shows you have a passion for something and you don't need to validate it with clubs and "official" studies.</p>

3

<p>What the second poster said is true, but don't go crazy. "I work out 3 times a week" is not an EC.</p>

4

<p>I think you can have your counselor mention it in her recommendation too, at least that's what my counselor said that she could do for some of my activities.</p>

5

<p>Cool, thanks guys. That's basically what I thought, I just feel better hearing it. My HS is populated with CC types, which creates uncharacteristic competitive/neurotic impulses in me come college application time.</p>