Extracurriculars - National Academic Contests and Writing Competitions?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi! I'm a sophomore in high school who is interested in the following schools for my undergraduate education:
Top Choices:
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Brown University
- Cornell University
- Stanford University
- University of Pennsylvannia
- University of California, Berkeley
- Darmouth University</p>

<p>Other Schools:
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Oregon
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Victoria
University of Notre Dame</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for out-of-school extracurricular activities (like national academic and writing competitions and such) because I'm having alot of trouble finding meaningful activities and community service.</p>

<p>Also, if anyone could offer any information on community service that pertains to law, sociology, or literature (although I can think of any that would) I would really appreciate it! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Here are a few suggestions from a recent thread:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1516326-writing-potential-english-major.html?highlight=writing[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1516326-writing-potential-english-major.html?highlight=writing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>For community service, how about helping in a reading program for young kids?</p>

<p>On another subject, in what state are you a resident? Just asking because you have publics from two states listed and that always raises a financial red flag for me. As an OOS student for any of those schools, you should be prepared to pay full tuition.</p>

3

<p>Don’t get too hung up on how your service might pertain to your major. Instead, find a need in your community and use your skills to solve it. It doesn’t have to be profound, just something you initiate and work at. Try to get others to join you. Its the essence of leadership and that’s what ivies are looking for.</p>

4

<p>entomom: I live in California. Thanks for the thread!
mitchklong: Alright. Thanks!</p>

5

<p>There are pro bono legal clinics all over California that use volunteer help…try looking at the website for your county’s bar association. Your high school’s college counselor will also have lists of local groups where other students from your high school have volunteered.</p>

6

<p>Oh, I live in Silicon Valley! What a coincidence!
Anyway, since it’s summer vacation where I live, I can’t really talk to the counselor until August.</p>