I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 10 seconds, type at 100 wpm, and I’ve taken five online courses on A.I. and M.L., Data structures and Algorithms, and a few other computer science topics, for which I have certificates.
Wow!
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I can see the Rubiks Cube being woven into an interesting short essay of it shows something unique about you. But otherwise…it’ll be great to impress your dorm mates
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All of this uses analytics to some degree so sure. As stated weave it into an essay. It shows who you are.
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I’m not sure anything you’ve mentioned is a wow factor that would tip you into the accepted pile. The Rubik’s cube is a fun tidbit. The rest is pretty standard. As a sum, it seems to show that you are self motivated.
Don’t worry about a wow factor. Present yourself in the best way you can. You can only do your best with what you have.
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If you could solve a Rubik’s cube in 10 seconds WHILE typing 100wpm that would be something.
Stick to the basics for essays…what’s your passion and how you will be an excellent fit at school XYZ.
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My sister can do 120 wpm; she’s also taken several classes (in person) in hardware/software programming (with certificates). She hasn’t yet tackled a rubrics cube, but she is married with 3 children. I think all of her activities are Wow factors because she’s an awesome person, but for college admission, I think she’d say, “meh”.
Wow factor, for admission to a US university is a “Greta”, “Malala”, etc. Internationally-known students, who have achieved OVER what would be expected, is a Wow factor. A kid “harnessing the wind” bringing windmills, water, and international attention to his African community is a Wow factor.
There are kids in the US, who are farmworkers, picking crops before and after school, living in the fields, getting strong grades in AP classes, participating in EC activities, despite their living conditions and limited means. Those are Wow factors to admissions.
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I suspect you can write a wow essay if you put your mind to it.
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All fun facts, but how do any of these things make you an asset/desirable to the university? That is a connection you need to make.
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My understanding is that essays about rubiks cubes, LEGOs, and similar are extremely common and won’t set you apart.
I wouldn’t try to wow admissions. I have a relative who is a long time AO at an Ivy, and he said his goal is to get the know the applicant better through an essay. AOs can find out all of your “whats” in other parts of your applications, including the classes you mention. They want to find out the who and why in your essay. Think about yourself, your family, your cultural heritage, your region of the country, your daily habits, your family structure or traditions…whatever makes you distinctly you.
My daughter’s friend wrote about how she switched custody every. single. night after her parents divorced. There was nothing in it that would wow anyone, but it was a great essay for an AO to understand that kind of kid she is because of the flexibility and resilience necessary to sleep in a different bed each night.
The essay doesn’t have to have “wow” factor concepts, but is a way of putting the rest of your application into context.
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None of those things will get you into a college you are not otherwise qualified to attend.
That said, they are some of the things that make up who you are so feel free to mention them if they fit with your essays etc.
But what is it in you that makes you want to do things fast? Or to challenge your hands to keep pace with your brain?
What joy does this bring you?
I think that the wow can be in how you tell this story. That you do this isn’t amazing, but how you articulate it may be.
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This.
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Thank you for the time you’ve taken. I’ve written about stuff that’s personal to me. But I thought highly selective schools would like to see initiative from the applicant and also their quirky side.
Do you participate in speedcubing competitions? National/international rankings in this area are impressive and students tend to do well in college admissions.
I would mention the AI and ML classes in the activities section of the CA. Definitely could weave any of these things (probably not the 100 wpm typing) into your CA personal statement, additional info section, or any of the supplemental essays.