<p>As I was finishing up my common application, it struck me that the "overall picture" I'm presenting to the admissions people is rather skewed. My EC's and essay is mostly related to the arts (90%; 8:2, music:art), but I intend to major in biology. I went with the impulse to write about music and art because I'm wild about both, and have a lot of emotions and work tangled up in them, and because I felt I could better convey who I was through talking about playing the violin (ahhh, the conformist's instrument...lol) and the different artistic activities I've done. This was a tough decision, since I know there are many competing applicants with a background like mine.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it's not as if I have what it takes to be a music major. This is something I've thought about for a very long time, and it was a bitter realization back in my sophomore/junior year. </p>
<p>I do intensely enjoy biology though...but my limited experience with biology outside the classroom has led me to abandon the idea of writing about it. In the end, I did include a little paragraph in the Additional Info section, but I'm not even sure if they'll have the time to look at it...</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>For some info about the rest of my application, I have strong gpa, reasonably strong SAT's, 7 EC's (no additional resume), supplementary CD (though I doubt they'll listen to it), and good recs. </p>
<p>I think you're fine. As long as you pour out your heart on your essays about your passions and desires, it's good. For me, I think truth from the heart is the best way to convey your feelings.</p>
<p>As for me, I really love music. Music substitutes words in communication, though the same goes for me: I love biology, though I do not have an extensive experience with it. I took AP Biology in 11th grade and excelled very well. I am not too literate in the arts, so I went with my passions of serving other people and how I love the work (community service).</p>
<p>Still, I'm applying for medicine and it's slightly tangible, in my opinion. In conclusion, you're fine. Don't worry too much. I mean, what can you do now, right?</p>
<p>If biology is important to you, and if you think you might want to be a researcher, or if you overall have academic tendencies (these are great big ifs at this point), you might want to consider schools that best prepare you for these areas (the top 25+, courtesy of interesteddad):</p>
<p>Percent of PhDs per grad
Academic field: Bio and Health Sciences</p>
<p>PhDs and Doctoral Degrees:
ten years (1994 to 2003) from NSF database</p>
<p>Number of Undergraduates:
ten years (1989 to 1998) from IPEDS database</p>
<p>Note: Does not include colleges with less than 1000 graduates over the ten year period </p>
<p>1 California Institute of Technology 5.4%
2 Reed College 4.8%
3 Swarthmore College 4.4%
4 University of Chicago 3.3%
5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3.1%
6 University of California-San Francisco 3.1%
7 Harvard University 3.0%
8 Kalamazoo College 3.0%
9 Harvey Mudd College 2.9%
10 Earlham College 2.8%
11 Johns Hopkins University 2.7%
12 Princeton University 2.6%
13 Haverford College 2.6%
14 Mount Holyoke College 2.6%
15 Yale University 2.5%
16 Rice University 2.5%
17 Lawrence University 2.5%
18 Carleton College 2.5%
19 Stanford University 2.5%
20 Oberlin College 2.4%
21 Cornell University, All Campuses 2.4%
22 Grinnell College 2.3%
23 Hendrix College 2.3%
24 Bryn Mawr College 2.1%
25 Bowdoin College 2.1%
26 Wellesley College 2.1%
27 Amherst College 2.1%</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses...I don't suppose I can do much at this point (especially changing which schools I'm applying to...thanks for the list though, vossron! It's very interesting....). However, it's a comforting thought that someone else out there is in the same boat as I am. :) Good luck, cyborg!</p>
<p>OP, I doubt that adcoms expect you to major in music or the arts just because it is important to you. Having an interest and pursuing something for a career are two different things. In short, I don't think it matters. You've shown them that you're a passionate person and I would think your range of interests sets you apart from people who show interest in only one area.</p>
<p>@ Optimization: Then again, I'm hard-pressed to think of ECs that revolve around literature...maybe a library assistant? lol. But that's such a nice picture you're presenting- that you're involved in both the sciences and the humanities (and in your community). I'm curious...Where are you applying? :)</p>
<p>Haha. I've wanted to be a librarian since I was 6! Most college don't offer a degree in the library sciences, and I wouldn't want to major in that anyways.</p>
<p>I applied to a few UCs, UChicago, Yale, Pomona, St. John's, Shimer, Brown, Oberlin, and Tufts. (quite a lot...)</p>
<p>@ Banana: That's what I thought....but then there were so many mentions of science-related ECs/honors here on CC that I got a little intimidated. Like, would the admissions people wonder why I didn't get more involved in such things...? I guess I'll find out when April comes around. lol.</p>
<p>Actually, most of the ECs on CC freak me out. If someone at our school did those kinds of things, they'd probably be featured on local news and such.</p>
<p>Speaking of Barnes and Noble, I fell in love with the one at Baltimore Harbor when I visited the aquarium next to it many years ago. Wonderful cafes, multi-level (4? 5?), walls lined with gorgeous aquariums, beautiful scenery overlooking the harbor, and LOTS of books. :)</p>