EC's, How do I make myself stand out?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>So I'm currently playing the double bass (I'm a sophomore) and have played it for 4 years and before that i played violin for 3 years. This year I'm auditioning for All-State Orchestra (in NY- pretty competitive) and I plan to get in this year and for the rest of high school. Before auditioning for All-State I also got into All-County two years. I don't know yet if I will want to play in college, or if I will get scholarship money for that. I'm still a sophomore!
Besides these EC's, I've been swimming for 8 years now, and I'm on a very competitive national team. I practice usually 9 times a week (with dryland included), and I'm trying to hit my NCSA junior national cut within a year or so. I'm also on varsity swimming, and have all-league honors. This club is one of my biggest commitments, and I had to quit softball because of it. I played in 9th grade and was an MVP pitcher that got all-league. I'm part of SADD club, and Project SHARE inc., and Latin club. Next year I will be the president of a Stand up to Cancer club, raising money for cures for cancer. I will be captain of all the teams I am on by senior year. I'm also doing a lot of volunteer work- planning to work at a hospital this summer.</p>

<p>I know to get into prestigious schools such as Dartmouth or Duke I need to make myself stand out in the crowd. Any advice?
I really would like to come up with a report alternatives in medicine, I'm taking a two year science research class at my school which involves doing research in a lab over the summer. I'm really interested in medicine. Would this help me stand out? What about something like the Siemens competition? </p>

<p>My grades- getting all A's, taking all honors courses offered and will be taking all AP's offered for senior and Junior year. Have not taken the sats/act yet. But, planning to do very well on them also. My current GPA is a 95 (is that too low)?</p>

<p>So what other ECs must I do?</p>

2

<p>***typo! sorry- I really would like to come up with a report ON alternatives in medicine</p>

3

<p>I’ll also be in National Honor Society, and trying to get into National French Honor Society</p>

4

<p>Try to get recruited for swimming to guarantee yourself an admit. But seriously, your EC’s are fine, and if you are super committed to all of them, don’t add anything just because you think they’ll impress Dartmouth or Duke. If medicine is something you’re passionate about, then the research opportunity is great. Go for the competition like stuff if you’re into that, but don’t do things just because they’ll look good to a college. Do them because you enjoy them. But I’d say your EC’s are fine…heck of a lot more impressive than mine were, certainly, especially if you make all state.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for your opinion!</p>

6

<p>Good luck getting into All-State! I know someone who went for band both junior and senior year and it sounds like a great experience. Also, even if you don’t get into Conference All-State you very well may get into Area All-State, so definitely do that if you have the opportunity.</p>