ec's and their role in my admission

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>To start right off, I'm a pretty academically driven guy, go to very competitive school, one of the better in the state ( well known among state uni's especially ). </p>

<p>Academically I feel that I am competitive, having a 4.0 gpa uw (ranked 1'st in class of aprox 400) and a 35 composite on my ACT. 800 Math IIC, yet to take Physics and U.S.</p>

<p>I know for a school like Harvard that academics is what gets you looked at when applying, but not in.</p>

<p>As far as ec's are concerned I feel that my fesh/soph years I was not really involved with my school. I am a pretty devout Muslim, so after school if I was not studying, hanging out with friends or family, or other things, I was studying, living, and breathing my religion, reading my religion's text (the Qur'an) in arabic, analyzing, going and listening to Islamic lectures, sitting down and discussing Islamic topics. This may sound boring or un-important to some of you, but it is something that I thoroughly enjoy and something I hold great importance in, and it is quite time consuming. Let's put it this way, if school is a quarter of my life, religion is the other three quarters. Thus, I did not really participate in school related ec's my fresh/soph years.</p>

<p>Although, I have realized that if I wanted to go to some prestigious uni's of higher learning that I would have to get more involved in terms of e.c.'s and volunteering in my school. So since then I have joined clubs that I feel both helps my school/community and displays some of my qualities (helping others etc.).
Below is a quick list summarizing my e.c.'s thus far.</p>

<p>Fresh, Soph, Jr., will do Sr.
YMA (Young Muslims Association) member, volunteer, & community organizer </p>

<p>Jr., will do Sr.
MSA (Muslim Student Association), member, moderator in discussions</p>

<p>Jr. year, will Sr. year
Academic Support Program, Tutor, currently in place to become Director Senior year</p>

<p>Jr. year, will Sr. year
NHS member, either Officer or President Sr. year</p>

<p>Sr. year
Editor of School Newspaper (may do, 50/50 chance depends if school cuts funding)</p>

<p>So, the main reason I was posting this was to get input and responses on to whether or not my lack of ec's freshman/sophomore years will ultimately hurt me as an applicant, and If I need to get more involved.</p>

<p>Any replies/input would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I think the main response you will get is that to take the opportunity and create a fabulous essay that somehow highlights and shows the significance of your faith. This might help to explain its singular role during your freshman and sophomore years. If you can do that, I think you will be fine.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply smoda, another quick question, would my religious views be viewed negative in any way, or would it make me seem more diverse. I’ve had some friends tell me that applying as a standout Muslim would not necessarily be the best thing to do. Also, I’m an Iraqi-American, so still not sure if this would help or hurt me in terms of ethnicity or other things such as the war in my country. (but obviously not an international student)</p>

4

<p>^ I truly have no idea. Hopefully members who are more aware can provide you that answer.</p>

5

<p>Your clear interest in your faith, and especially the fact that you are involved in it in diverse ways (writing, discussing, volunteering) will be viewed positively, not negatively. While your faith itself isn’t an EC, there is plenty of room to describe the concrete ways you’ve participated in religious life. As smoda said there is a ton of room for a good essay here too.</p>

<p>Admissions officers at schools such as Harvard are generally intelligent and open-minded. They will not view your faith or Iraqi-American background negatively in the slightest. Just don’t apply to Bob Jones University or Liberty University.</p>

6

<p>^ Not surprised Dwight came through. :)</p>

7

<p>Schools like Harvard are interested in students who not only have the stats to get in, but do something beside their high school coursework. That something could be sports, strong ECs, working on the family farm or at McDonalds, taking care of their siblings while their parents work or being very involved in their religion.</p>

<p>Harvard admissions officers want a diverse campus so aren’t going to discriminate against Muslims. In fact, being a Muslim who’s very involved in their religion may be a plus because probably such people are unusual among Harvard applicants.</p>

8

<p>It’s not ECs per se that carry the weight; it’s evidence that you’re driven by involvements about which you’re passionate, and that the nature of that involvement provides evidence of your potential for future achievement.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for all of your replies, so I was wondering, how would I show my passion of religion when applying, I saw both smoda and dwight said an awesome essay would be good, would this be sufficient. I’ll have to think about this one, anyways, anymore input is appreciated.</p>