EC's for Cornell, Harvard, MIT, etc

Applying to College
1

I am interested in business/entrepreneurship and technology, what should I do this summer? I’m going into Junior year.

2

Business

  • Take AP Economics at school and take both Micro and Macro AP exams
  • Look at edx.org, an online course library with courses offered by top schools such as the Ivies, MIT, UCB, Stanford, etc. They have some courses in business management and entrepreneurship.
  • Plan on starting an Economics club. Have activities such as investment competition on the Stock Market game app, discuss the economy, offer help to other clubs with funding, etc.
  • Make some investments in the stock market. Start small.
  • Write an economics paper (of professional quality)
  • Start an economics blog and/or newsletter

What aspect of technology are you interested in? I can suggest items based on what you are interested in.

3

Thanks, I’m interest in computer programming, inventions, software programming and development, etc.

4

write a computer algorithm to help invest stocks.

If you want more info on how to do/learn this PM me.

5

You need to expand your list. Even if your stats were stronger (4.0+, perfect SAT) you will likely get rejected from those schools. It’s just the nature of too many fully qualified students applying to those schools. That said, your stats are strong, but will be in the lower percentiles of students accepted to those institutions. Undaunted or not, so are thousands of other students who want to attend those schools. Charge forward with all your might, but have a plan B. ECs make a difference at the margins. GPA, test scores and rigor are always the most important hurdle.

Now, for ECs. It isn’t about amassing a list. It’s about finding and diving in deeply, to something meaningful to you. None of us can tell you what that is.

6

Very well put, thankyou. Probably the best advice I’ve gotten on this sight :slight_smile:

7

So school is going to end soon and besides academics and studying for the SAT this summer, what should I do if I’m aiming to attend Harvard Business, Cornell, or MIT? So far I haven’t done much so I should probably do a lot. I’m going to be a Junior next year and this is what I’ve done so far:

Academics:

  • GPA: 3.8-3.9
  • PSAT (new): 1140 (I'm working everyday this summer to improve, including personal tutor)
  • Principals list every year
  • I've taken the hardest classes possible (Honors) at my school so far and my next year's schedule is

AP Chem
AP Government
AP English Language and Composition
Physics
Spanish 4

Pre-Calc

Extra Curriculars:

  • Key Club (member)
  • Science Olympiad (member)
  • Future NHS member
  • Future PRIDE member
  • Trying to start a business this summer (clothing line)
  • Over $500 earned in the Stock Market
  • Going to take online courses from Ivy League schools this summer
  • I debate on Debate.org (probably does nothing for me)
  • Volunteering this summer
  • Varsity Soccer
  • Ping Pong Club member

- Planning on taking coding classes this summer

Now I know this doesn’t look good, so I’d be glad to hear some good suggestions (positive or negative) on what I need to do to get into these schools.

Gender: Male
Ethnicity: White

***Most likely doesn’t help but my father went to MIT and Harvard Medical School.

Thanks :slight_smile: