<p>What exactly is Quiz Bowl? Is it like Academic Decathlon? Does it go county wide, even state wide? Is there a team captain? I’ve never even heard of quiz bowl. If you want to impress adcoms, which it seems like you want to do a lot more than actually doing things you want, you need to make sure you, as the above poster said, make a difference. Whatever you do, if you want it to stand out, you need to be an important part of it. </p>
<p>If quiz bowl is just an after school meeting for kids to study with each other or something, then it is probably not your most “impressive” choice. If you are going to join yearbook make sure you get an editing position at some point. Colleges want to see that you are in yearbook, but they also want to see that you took a lead in yearbook and left your mark on the actual yearbook.</p>
<p>I volunteered my summer between sophomore and junior year. Just make sure it’s somewhere you want to be. If you get in enough hours, then sure it looks good. You don’t have to specify when you volunteered, just the amount of time if you want. Just make sure you can sound passionate about it.</p>
<p>The fact that you are actually looking for things is beneficial in and of itself. To give yourself the best possible chance in an application I’d think you need the following things:
A strong GPA and otherwise Academic background
Rigorous schedule, high class rank, relevant classes
Passionate ECs, even just one or two.
Good writing</p>
<p>If you’re anything like me, you can pull words out of your butt when it comes to writing. Perfect the skill and, or if you’re already a natural at it, you will make a strong application. We can’t emphasize this enough, do something you want to do. If you are looking into going to a very selective art school, you need to work on your art, learn how to touch adcoms with your work, and explain your passion with art.</p>