<p>Hi. I'm a high schooler, and since I would like to eventually attend Princeton University, I just wanted to know what extracurriculars you guys did when you were in high school. I'm not going to copy your ECs or anything, but I have a gigantic list of extracurriculars at the moment. And I feel like I really need to cut down and only do what I love, but it's difficult for me to decide what to quit and what to keep doing. If you guys could tell me what you did in high school, that would be really helpful. And it'd be great if you could give me tips on how to focus my interests so I don't drive myself crazy. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>If you need someone else to tell you what you love, there’s an issue. You should know what you enjoy doing. If you enjoy all your activities and need to make cuts, just rank your activities by asking yourself which you would choose if they conflicted.</p>
<p>1) 3 years of research experience with a mentor, group head of 2 projects
2) Worked several jobs
3) Had some leadership in a few clubs</p>
<p>Basically it. My research mentor’s letter was very nice.</p>
<p>Science was my passion - it still is (kind of - I’m an econ major :P).</p>
<p>1) dramaaaa stuff
2) started a couple political clubs
3) play 3 instruments - various ensemble/solo work
4) active in my local government - student board member for a few different things
5) various community involvement type things</p>
<p>Look through the class of 2013 decisions thread sticky. Everybody lists their EC’s (and other stats)</p>
<p>Random, can you tell us your academics and other stats as well? </p>
<p>I’m really interested in Rotary clubs, but I don’t want it to seem cliched. All my club does is raise money, and I’m not sure that will be looked favorably upon… Does it significantly help that I founded it? Also, I know the former Rotary International president, if he wrote a letter of recommendation, would it come off as “Wow! He’s so good that he got the president of over 2 million people to write a letter!” Or would it come off as “Wow, what a pretentious jerk, it’s obvious that he’s just looking for big names.”</p>
<p>Do I need to be an Eagle Scout, or is having been involved in scouting since I was 8 enough?</p>
<p>Is doing Academic Decathlon for one year significant?</p>
<p>Besides Boy Scouts and Rotary, I have almost no other ECs that I have stayed in for many years…</p>
<p>Saugus, I’m surprised that you have been involved in Scouting that long and are not an Eagle Scout. I’m sure adcoms will wonder the same thing.</p>
<p>1) Boy Scouts – OA Brotherhood member, Eagle Scout, SPL, etc.
2) Math Team (worked with middle school too)
3) Science Team (worked with middle school too)
4) Latin scene
5) Did community service at church
6) Piano</p>
<p>Those were the main ones.</p>
<p>^
I got screwed 2 years in a row on elections, which didn’t allow me to get past First Class… I’m only a Star at the moment, although I still have 25 months before I turn 18. I’m in okay shape… A bit of a rush, but it’s doable. I’ll have it by my application time.</p>
<p>But just in case, will they care if I am only a Life when I apply and get Eagle later?</p>