<p>I'm gonna be applying to Stanford and I was wondering how these extracurriculars look. I'm the son of a Navy Captain so I've gone to 14 schools from elementary -> high school and its kinda been hard to really get big time involved anywhere...I'm 1/2 white 1/2 filipino and atm I live in Honolulu, Hawaii (Pearl Harbor). My grades (valedictorian), scores, etc.. are great I'm just not too sure about my EC's because its kinda been hard to get really deeply involved in anything since I move every 2-3 years.</p>
<ul>
<li>4 years of band, 2 years of Band/Marching Band at a program that in '04 was named the 3rd best music program in the country by the Grammy Awards</li>
<li>2 years of Philosophy Club, 2 years of Political Forum club - Vice President in Sophmore year</li>
<li>2 years of being Founder/President of Philosophy/Political Forum club (I moved to Hawaii and set this club up)</li>
<li>1st degree black belt in Taekwondo - 3-4 years </li>
<li>NHS for 2 years (I would've had a leadership position but transferring in the middle of HS doesn't help in getting LD positions.....)</li>
<li>I set up and organized a relief trip to the Philippines and my family and I went there for 2 weeks giving aid to the more rural/poorer areas.</li>
<li>Only 150 or so hours of community service.</li>
</ul>
<p>Coming from a military family and moving as much as you have, you have wonderful life experiences that will help set you apart from other applicants. Use that to your advantage. You probably have many rich topics to use for essays, which are so important. Good luck.</p>
<p>they take everything in context so as long as you explain your situation fully, they will understand. there is an extra space to discuss special circumstances. i believe your situation will help you more than hurt because like someone said, you have all these rich experiences to share. i've heard they really only focus on your top 2-3 activities so as long as you clearly explain your passion/commitment to band, taekwondo, philosophy/politics, and helping in the Philippines, you will be fine. nhs doesn't really matter. the important thing is to explain what each of your ECs meant to you, how they were significant, what you got out of them.</p>
<p>Your ECs are rather weak, in large part because you show no focus or passion. Philosophy comes close. Band and community service (except for the relief effort, which is good) are pretty common, taekwondo less so. Little leadership... But Stanford will understand that you've moved a lot, something which may set you apart. Still, it might prove difficult for you to get in.</p>
<p>But you're only a junior, right? So you still have a year to improve. Good luck.</p>