decent ECs?

Applying to College
1

<p>Here's what I have so far. Comments/suggestions much appreciated. As a general standard, I'm looking to aim for HYPS, etc. I'm a rising sophomore.</p>

<p>9th Grade-</p>

<p>Member of Operation S.M.I.L.E - freshman co-rep</p>

<p>Member of Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Forum- there weren't really many titles given to members.</p>

<p>Staff Writer at the school newspaper (I wrote about 7 articles this year, and because of that I will retain my staff writer position until my junior year, when i'll hopefully become an editor)</p>

<p>Member of the Youth Orchestra of Central New Jersey (<a href="http://www.yocj.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.yocj.org&lt;/a&gt;) - will be lead saxophonist this year.</p>

<p>Finished 8th Grade in piano with the Associated Board Of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) with merit, and will be completing my DiplomaABRSM studies this coming year. (A DiplomaABRSM is the rough equivalent of the level one is expected to achieve at the completion of the first year of a 3 year music college.)</p>

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<p>This summer I am volunteering as a camp counselor at the Martin House in Trenton, NJ, where I work with inner-city kids in a variety of ways, such as tutoring, etc. If all goes to plan, by the end of the summer I will have worked 200 hours at the Martin House. I have already been offered a position for next summer, as well as during the school year, and I am absolutely intent on coming back as often as I can. Contrary to what some of you may thing, I actually love doing this, and after the first two weeks, it stopped being about getting into college. </p>

<p>If I do come back every summer, which I am almost positive I will do, I will have 600+ hours of community service by the time I apply to college.</p>

<p>OK, well comment away.</p>

2

<p>Looks good. Just remember over the next three years to keep things focused (focus on about two areas and develop activities releated to those areas - for instance, let's say that writing and music. With your volunteering opportunities, try to stress how you helped with tutoring in English/writing or musical skills/activities.)</p>

<p>Although I'm not articulating this well (it's been a long day) - the point I'm trying to make is that some colleges are less impressed with long lists of unrelated items as they are with several activites that relate to a passion of yours. The laundry list from an over achiever is seen every day - boring.</p>