Extra Curriculars

<p>If all my EC's are science/math oriented, will it decrease my chance of getting into top colleges like the ivies, MIT, stanford, etc?</p>

<p>Well, I suppose if you show a real passion for those subjects then it shouldn't be too much of a problem, but perhaps you should participate in an activity (that you're obviously interested in) that perhaps explores a different area... Something interesting. Spend a summer doing something other than maths, that will offer a new experience. But make sure that it's not just wasting you're time and that you know you're passionate about it. It might show that you're more all rounded, but if you're really good at math and science (lots of awards, lots of passion) then you can probably get away with it...</p>

<p>Are you a Junior?</p>

<p>yea i'm a junior</p>

<p>I'm wondering about this too. My opinion is that if you're Asian, and your EC's are science and not to the state and national level, you'll have problems. B/c so many Asians do science, you have to be quite exceptional to impress people. It will hurt you slightly, since colleges want some uniqueness, and also character. </p>

<p>Character can be expressed through essays and recs, but you should try to get some uniqueness in your ECs. Being a varsity sports person will help alot, as well as getting involved in like some clubs, such as a funraiser club, MUN, a debate club, a volunteer club. If you can get like 4-5 leadership positions that'll help alot. Also, like sci said, a summer activity could help alot. However, if your true passion is science/math, focus on it and get USAMO or something, and try doing a little bit of the other activities.</p>

<p>If you want to spice up your ECs with some variety, try starting a literary magazine at your school. You would basically ask students to submit poems and/or artwork and publish them in the magazine. You wouldn't have to publish the magazine monthly - you could publish the magazine annually instead.</p>

<p>I agree with nkmc, try something different that makes you stand out.
Certainly to get into MIT, unless you are state or nationally ranked (for an Asian), it's pretty hopeless to focus yourself on science or mathematics. As for the other ethnicities, I'd say that at least a state-level is required. Remember that even math or science olympiads apply to MIT, and most people don't stand against those.</p>

<p>Colleges look for character and potential. If you chose a subject that a bazillion other people chose (like math or science, for example), you'd better have a lot of potential. </p>

<p>What are your EC's, anyways?</p>

<p>Depends on your level of involvement. Although I've never met anyone, Asian or otherwise, who had ONLY math/science ECs and also got into MIT.</p>