Hello,
I am currently a sophomore who strives to attend a school in the Ivy League (Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Brown, and then although not Ivy, MIT). I have a great grades so far and am confident in my abilities. As many know, one of the most important aspects of an applicant are their extracurriculars. With mixed interests, this is where I need support.
Also, as many know, in order to stand out to admissions one must have a “spike,” or a certain passion a students focuses on that makes them stand out above the rest and the area where they achieve deeply. Once that one passion is identified, I need to brainstorm extracurricular activities around that.
My interests thus far are computer programming (where I have self-taught this far but am by no means proficient), science, mathematics, entrepreneurship, and writing. I know mathematics is quite popular, however, and may not be the best route to go.
Current ECs
- DECA President
- Class Vice President
- Executive (Student Council)
- Math Team
- Chess Club
(These ECs are sue to my interests, and I know better to not do something just because it may seem viable to college admissions)
I want to make at least one club at my school, which is new particularly small. My ideas were robotics and debate. If I focused on computer science, I could make a digital marketing business and code websites and Android applications. If I chose writing, I could start my own blog, that could also possibly be on technology.
How can I find that one spike and, given my prominent interests, how could I structure extracurriculars that would be impressive to college admissions?
Thank you!
Starting a club would be a great application booster. Maybe talk to someone in charge at your school and find out how you could go about starting a club. But like you mentioned, only do it if you enjoy it and want to do it. If you are interested in sports, that could also help diversify your ECs. Sports were the only reason I enjoyed high school - you meet great friends, compete, learn leadership, exercise, and have the time of your life. And as you mentioned, extending your ECs outside of school will really demonstrate how passionate you are about them! In your admissions essays, make sure you talk about your passions and how you found and developed them through your ECs! Best of luck to you:)
I think a lot of people overvalue starting a club. Unless you can demonstrate that the club is successful, either as part of an essay or in a recommendation letter, it really doesn’t show anything. If I saw that you were a founder and president of a club, I would assume that you and maybe a few friends got together and named yourself officers. No greater school or community impact from the club exists and the club will fold as soon as you leave. Compare this to someone who is elected to something that is likely a going concern at the school (NHS, DECA, Yearbook, etc). Reading that I know you had some responsibilities and had to somehow get yourself into that position. This all changes if you can actually show results. For example, if a teacher (or GC) writes about the club you started and its positive impact.
I compare this to having kids. It is relatively easy to be a biological parent (especially for a male). The real work is demonstrated in raising a quality kid. It doesn’t matter if you are a biological or adoptive parent.
You might want to read How To Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport. School clubs aren’t really the route to those types of schools.
Nope. Only the PSATs last month.
Have you taken the PSAT before? If so, what was your score?