Extracurricular rating/advice thread

Pre-College Issues High School Life
41

<p>9th Grade:
Violin (I’ve been doing that for 10 years)
Local Newspaper
Volunteered at a Children’s Museum (I refuse to do that ever again)
Volunteered at a Science Museum</p>

<p>10th:
Violin
Local Newspaper (reaching for senior editor opportunity)
School Newspaper (staff writer, possibly editor soon)
Literary Magazine
Harassing various professors for internships, so not sure how that’s going to turn out.
Still volunteering at the science museums.
Possibly volunteering at a local book center
Possibly working for a youth science journal
Maybe joining bridge/French clubs, but I’m not sure how one can excel in those…</p>

42

<p>@memphismnb
You’re pretty much perfect. Seriously, at this point, you’re pretty much at your apotheosis. The only thing I could possibly recommend is trying for some prestigious competitions. </p>

<p>Also, is it OK to list those online courses on a college application, or do they not count? I’m in a bit of a similar situation, and was curious if that was acceptable.</p>

43

<p>@TessVonBede
Really? I just don’t feel like I’m there yet. I feel like piano and art need a little plumping and wish I had authored a research paper by now. I might look into some prestigious comps for piano and art, might not win, but might as well try. Thanks for the encouraging thought.</p>

<p>I read some book on college admissions and writing a resume that said taking online courses for self-learning is definitely fine to list on your resume or application (if they have a spot for it). However, if you took it as part of your curriculum for credit, then not so much. What it shows is that you like to learn for learning’s sake, if you’re doing it for credit, it just looks like you did it because you had to, not because you wanted to.</p>

44

<p>^ give us recordings of how you play and what pieces you play. Then we can judge and make critiques.</p>

45

<p>Giving us recordings of stuff won’t really give you an accurate representation. Unless one of us is a professional pianist, we won’t be able to accurately gauge his performance. When you apply to colleges, you have the option to send an art portfolio of some sort. If you send music, the profs in the music department will take a look at your work and critique it. These profs are oftentimes professionals who will be able to analyze a work much better than we, as average people, will be able to.</p>

<p>Tl;dr: However good it may sound to one of us, it may not be the quality that top schools demand.</p>

<p>Do any of you think that putting piano on my application would be a good idea? I only started last year (9th grade) and I plan to continue it for the rest of my life, but when I apply to colleges, I’ll only be able to say that I’ve been doing it for four years. I obviously won’t win any competitions or awards, but do you think it’ll still be worth it to put on my application? Basically, my major EC’s will be research (hopefully will publish), debate/mock trial (hopefully will win a few competitions here and there), and maybe computer science. I’m a beginner computer scientist, but with the guidance of a comp sci major I know who is also my calculus tutor, I may be able to do something significant enough to warrant putting it on my application. If I win some essay contests, I can put writing on there as well. I don’t think just being in a newspaper would cut it. I may also toss photography on there.</p>

<p>As it stands right now, though, my entire application centers on getting published as first author at least once. If I don’t achieve that, I have nothing.</p>

46

<p>It might be good to show colleges that you are ‘well-rounded’ , but I feel it is better to list an activity only if you are passionate about it.</p>

47

<p>If I’m passionate, but not accomplished, should I still put the activity on my app?</p>

48

<p>bump</p>

<p>PS: Happy New Year’s, guys!</p>

49

<p>I think you should still put it regardless. It can’t hurt! Anyways, here’s mine. </p>

<p>BRHS RoboSoccer Club: </p>

<ul>
<li><p>Participates in RoboCup, a robotics competition that focuses on Artificial Intelligence by creating completely autonomous robots that compete in soccer matches against teams from around the world</p></li>
<li><p>Founder and Team Captain</p></li>
<li><p>Represented the United States and achieved 3rd Place at the International Competition</p></li>
</ul>

<p>ZeroRobotics Team Quark Charm:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Robotics Competition run by MIT, NASA, and DARPA in which teams use their knowledge of Physics, Mathematics, and Programming to program satellites to complete tasks using MIT’s SPHEREs satellites.</p></li>
<li><p>This year’s challenge was to program the satellite to protect larger satellites by detect incoming “space junk” and use lasers to deflect the incoming object to prevent a collision.</p></li>
<li><p>Team Captain</p></li>
<li><p>Currently a Finalist</p></li>
<li><p>Code will be send to the International Space Station on January 19th and compete against the other Finalist (Top 9) teams from the United States using actual satellites in a real microgravity environment</p></li>
<li><p>Been in Newspapers and on radio</p></li>
</ul>

<p>FIRST Robotics Competition Team 303:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Mechanically-oriented robotics competition in which teams design large robots to perform extensive mechanical tasks</p></li>
<li><p>Subteam leader and member of student leadership council</p></li>
<li><p>2013 Newton Division Champions
(3rd in the World) </p></li>
<li><p>TCNJ Engineering Excellence Award</p></li>
<li><p>Mount Olive Robot Design Award</p></li>
</ul>

<p>FIRST Technical Challenge Team 756:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Mechanically-oriented robotics competition in which teams create mid-sized robots to perform extensive mechanical challenges</p></li>
<li><p>Team Captain</p></li>
<li><p>2nd place at the Bridgewater Showdown FTC event</p></li>
<li><p>First team in the state of NJ to successfully accomplish the autonomous task.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Boy Scouts of America Troop 88:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Current Life Scout on path to Eagle</p></li>
<li><p>Senior Patrol Leader</p></li>
<li><p>Member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s honour society</p></li>
<li><p>Over 100 Volunteering Hours</p></li>
<li><p>Currently Working on Eagle Scout Project which involves setting up computer lab in local senior homes and providing learning sessions to teach seniors how to effectively use technology to their advantage such as connecting to family, for entertainment, or for learning.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Future Business Leaders of America:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Student-organization to promote careers in business and business-related occupations.</p></li>
<li><p>Chapter Tech Director</p></li>
<li><p>NJ State Entrepreneurship 1st Place</p></li>
<li><p>Nationals Entrepreneurship Finalist</p></li>
<li><p>Creator of Official FBLA Android and Windows Phone 8 Apps</p></li>
</ul>

<p>VEX Team 2409A:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Mechanically-oriented robotics competition in which teams create mid-sized robots to perform extensive mechanical challenges</p></li>
<li><p>Team Captain</p></li>
<li><p>2nd place at the Bridgewater VRC event</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Web Design Club:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Club for students interested in Web Design to learn and collaborate on projects for different organizations, clubs, and companies</p></li>
<li><p>Co-Founder</p></li>
<li><p>Created numerous websites including FBLA Chapter Website, Forensics Website, RoboSoccer Club Website, Philadelphia Art of Living Website, and SRV Realty Website.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>PocketApps:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>My own app company which develops Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 8 apps</p></li>
<li><p>Apps include Unicorn Hop (a game) and FBLA apps for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 8</p></li>
<li><p>Administrator of “Ideas 4 Google” Google+ Community of over 1000 members which is a discussion forum about Google Products</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Forensics Speech and Debate:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Club which strengthens public speaking and debate skills</p></li>
<li><p>Actively participate in Public Forum Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Scuba Diving:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Have been diving for 3 years</p></li>
<li><p>Currently Advanced Open Water Diver on path to becoming a DiveMaster</p></li>
<li><p>Specialties in Wreck Diving and Buoyancy Control</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Atheist Alliance:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Club that acts as a forum to facilitate organized and respectful discussions about religion and philosophy</p></li>
<li><p>Co-Founder</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Volunteering at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: </p>

<ul>
<li><p>Internship in the Creative Media department of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center</p></li>
<li><p>Worked with photography, graphic media, community outreach, and public relations.</p></li>
<li><p>Had works including photographs and articles published in city-wide (Newark) newspapers.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Ultimate Frisbee Team</p>

<ul>
<li>School’s Ultimate Frisbee Team that participates in inter-school local tournaments</li>
</ul>

<p>Geography Club</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Club that holds geography based events and fundraisers, and participates in geography-related competitions</p></li>
<li><p>Vice President </p></li>
<li><p>4th Place WorldQuest NYC Regional</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Politics Club</p>

<ul>
<li>Club that acts as a forum to facilitate organized and respectful discussions about politics and current events</li>
</ul>

50

<p>I’m a junior.
I’m extremely passionate about my ECs and am looking to refine what I choose to/to not include. Basically listed everything below, haha.</p>

<p>-Well over 500 community service hours.</p>

<p>Speech and Debate (started my freshman year):
-Over 10 hours in a week (I teach 3 different classes)
-Captain for speech (2.5 years)
-President (2 years)
-Co-Founded/Taught a Middle School outreach program (2.5 years)
-Coaching accolades (over a period of 2 years)
3 Varsity finalists in interstate invitationals
3 state qualifiers
a state semifinalist
-Personal accolades: numerous (5+) finalist/champion awards in local tournaments,
2 time semifinalist and finalist in an interstate invitational
2 time state qualifier
state finalist (runner-up)
national semi-finalist</p>

<p>DECA (marketing competition) (started my sophomore year):
-3 hours per week
-President (1 year)
-Most Valuable Member award
-1st place Regionally (2 years)
-2nd place District
-State finalist (4th)
-International Qualifier</p>

<p>Science Olympiad (2 years)
-Regional Top 10 (2 events)
-Event leader in 2 different events</p>

<p>Peer Counselor (2 years)</p>

<p>Key Club
-Silver Service award (100+ hours) in a year</p>

<p>NHS member</p>

<p>-played piano for over 10 years and passed level 10 theory.</p>

<p>-I hold a board position on a non-profit organization that has received district-wide recognition and numerous awards. (around 5 hours per week)</p>

<p>-Internship at the local senate office. (close to 100 hours)
-Internship at an online retail store (marketing- 100+ hours)
-Job at a tutoring center (1 year period)</p>

51

<p>Extracurriculars:
• Key Club
o Freshman Representative, Webmaster of one of the largest Key Clubs in the world
o Ranked in Top Ten Clubs in the Texas-Oklahoma District over 4 years
• Math UIL
o Math UIL President Captain
o Several invitational, district, and regional awards
o Grew the program from two competitions yearly to over 20 each year
o 1x Regional Finalist, 1x District Champ
• Science Olympiad
o State Qualifier – 10th place State team
o Several awards/rankings at invitational,district, regional, state
o (Will be hopefully) Applied Sciences Captain
• Computer Science UIL
o Placed 7th in an invitational (lol)
• FBLA
o (will be) State Convention Attendee
o Executive Board – Treasurex1 and co-founder of t FBLA charter
o Created numerous marketing events and stock research programs
• Piano
o Numerous regional and national awards in Piano performance
Summer Programs:
• (will be pretty much confirmed) University of Houston Dept of Physics Researcher
o Probably will deal with superconductors hoping to win some awards
• Chinese Center Head Volunteer Counselor
o Over 500 volunteer hours over 4 years
o Coordinator of one of the largest Chinese Immersion programs in my state and also directed other organizations such as the ESL program
Jobs/Paid Internships:
• Dental Assistant at orthodontics office
o Assisted the orthodontist as well as serving as a lab technician and receptionist
• (Will be) R&D researcher at an international chinese chemical company
o Will help streamline and develop patents</p>

<p>I’m a asian male sophomore :smiley: What do yall think? Thanks!</p>

52

<p>^^also will get gold presidential service award just something else</p>

53

<p>@punstoppable: Just curious, how did you get the internship at your local senate office? I’d love to do something like that, but am unsure as to how to go about getting an internship like that. Also, it looks like you’re doing well with Debate! I’d maybe just work on taking that to the next level, placing more at the state level (although runner-up, congrats!!) , trying out some national tournaments. Since you’re a junior, going out to Harvard, Yale, Berkley, all those tournaments is an option for next year. =)</p>

<p>@Peiguy- You’re looking good to me, haha. :wink: Maybe just work on getting a higher leadership position in that Key Club? Since it’s so highly ranked, that would look pretty good.</p>

54

<p>Extracurriculars: Freshman looking for senior advince :)</p>

<p>-HOSA (qualified for State in Pathophysiology, if i get top 3 in state then i’ll advance to naitonals in Disney World!)</p>

<p>-UIL Science (they are 3 parts to the test; bio, chem, and physics. Right know i’m doing well in the bio and chem portions but i’m ABSOLUTELY loss it the physics part. I might take physics online this summer)</p>

<p>-Academic Octathlon (first competition in Feb., i hoping/aiming to get top 3 in my school so that i can go to the regional contest)</p>

<p>-USABO/USNCO (i don’t if i’m prepared but i’ve been studying AP Biology and AP Chemistry for UIL Science. But then again they are olympiads so i can’t tell if i’ll be succesful this year) I’ll definetly be more prepared my sophomore year</p>

<p>-Boy Scouts (will be Eagle probably by end of sophomore year, i’ve gained alot of leadership oppurtunies and maturity from scouting; it’s really been beneficial for me</p>

<p>-Classical Guitar (i got some state awards in middle school, hope to do the same for high school)</p>

<p>-Youth Band (at my church i play the acoustic for contempary gospel music, i play with the group probably one Sunday a month)</p>

<p>I volunteer alot (probably 50-60 hours from the fall) form Boy Scouts and HOSA</p>

<p>Do you guys think my passions are seen clearly in my extracurricular pursuits? Any tips or pointers? Thanks, you are all epic and wonderful</p>

55

<p>@almond lol i know i’ll probably be the vp next year. We have so many officers it takes a while to decide. But thanks i’ll probably do USNCO/BO also I feel pretty good about it.</p>

<p>@boomvoom you are off to an excellent start! Just keep going! I’m thinking about uil science but i rather stick to math. Also usabo and usnco will look good!</p>

56

<p>also @boomvoom try to get to nationals round for usnco and usabo</p>

57

<p>Thanks pieguy! I’ll try to make nationals in the Olympiad s hopefully next year. Also good luck in Math!</p>

58

<p>Ya hopefully i’ll see you around uil meets lol Are you in UIL 5A division? Ya and I’m trying to self study for usnco. Our school is decent but not spectacular.</p>

59

<p>Okay everyone! I’m gonna tell you all my extracurriculars. Be prepared to be blown away! And remember, I’m not trying to brag…
-Mathcounts for one year
Wow! Aren’t you just blown away by my amazing extracurriculars?</p>

60

<p>@pieguy: Obviously, dumb question, but what is USNCO? My school is so big at sports and is really competitive academically, but we really lack with academic clubs, unfortunately, so that makes it so hard for me to join ANYTHING. So annoying. </p>

<p>@dsi: I’m totally in the same boat as you right now. I have such few extra-curriculars. =P</p>