<p>In many posts, people talk about how "extraordinary ECs" can be an important factor in acceptance to a highly selective college.
I agree, but when these people talk of "extraordinary ECs," they provide examples such as RSI, Intel, Siemens, AMC, etc.
....these are all math and science related opportunities</p>
<p>I don't get what an "extraordinary EC" would be for the humanaties?</p>
<p>What does a student who is interested in History, Art History, Art, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology do as an amazing EC?
I really need ideas here!</p>
<p>would National History Day (winning 1st place in regionals and states at least 3 years in a row and qualifying for nationals) be considered an "extraordinary EC?"</p>
<p>If not, what would one interested in the humanaties do?
help, please!</p>
<p>One interested in the humanities would join clubs in those subjects. One would start a club or two, even. One would go to museums, or conventions, or conferences. One would get involved in the subject somehow.</p>
<p>Also, 1st place in National History Day goes in awards/honors, not ECs, but your awards/honors should somewhat complement your ECs. Or at least that's the ideal.</p>
<p>The area I'm interested in is a little unconventional: linguistics. So it's a bit harder to be able to prove my interest in it. But I found ways: I've gone to conferences on linguistics/language, taken college courses in it, taken two languages in high school, gone to conventions, started a club, am a member of various linguistics organizations not at my high school (LSA, etc.), have studied / taken competency examinations in various languages, etc. My awards complement my interest, too.</p>
<p>So really, you just have to be able to find your own way of showing your interest, not only in single-event things (like a convention), but also in habitual things (like a club), and awards/honors (like 1st place in National History Day) if you can.</p>
<p>This really annoys me, too. There's all these science programs available, all those research opportunities... I live in suburban Cleveland, so my school's always shoving down Cleveland Clinic internships down my throat. </p>
<p>What's a law/government person supposed to do to be "extraordinary"? Run for mayor?</p>
<p>Honestly, alamode, I'm a math guy, but I have a considerable appreciation for the humanities, so I'll give you the best advice I can.</p>
<p>One of math's biggest advantages over a lab science, such as biology, is that research and independent thinking can take place anywhere; all you need is a pencil, paper, and perhaps Wikipedia or some large-scale resource. The humanities share that do-it-anywhere attribute; this means that any sufficiently interested student could--if they wanted--write an essay about anything that occurs to them. </p>
<p>I've written several essays about my opinions on the education system, and while none of them have ever gotten beyond the scribblings-in-my-notebook stage, and I honestly don't know how one would go about attempting to publish an essay as one would a math paper, I think that attempting to publish an essay (or even attaching it to an application) would communicate to colleges the same level of real appreciation for a subject, and real ability to come up with ideas andtalk about them, that RSI, Intel, etc. communicate for math/science students. </p>
<p>When a student reaches the level of real, self-motivated interest in a subject that they start writing, or thinking, or discussing, as something they just happen to think of, when a student becomes so comfortable with a subject that their crazy ideas end up in that subject, when they start writing papers on those crazy ideas--that is what RSI, and Intel, and colleges, are looking for. If your child is that interested in the humanities, and starts writing, colleges won't need to see a specific EC to understand just how motivated your child is.</p>
<p>When I think of "extraordinary" ECs, I think of something completely different. I think of things that are not "self-focused" but "Other-focused". Everyone on this board seems to have all kinds of involvement in things that improve themselves, science and math awards, years of piano lessons, top athlete, etc. But what about ECs that really focus on helping and improving the lives of other people and not just yourself? That to me, is extraordinary. And I truly believe that with all of the competition there is today among students with stellar SATs and GPAs and top awards, colleges are leaning more and more toward rejecting those that do not have something that shows a little kindness and humanity toward others who are less fortunate.</p>
<p>It depends on what you consider "extraordinary." Obviously, getting a book published would qualify, but are lesser accomplishments also "extraordinary"?</p>
<p>Let's start with what Chuck Hughes, a former senior admissions officer and author of "What it Really Takes to Get Into the Ivy League" has to say. He divides EC into three categories:</p>
<ol>
<li> Nationally recognized and heavily recruited talents</li>
<li> Strong regional and local candidates</li>
<li> Well-rounded</li>
</ol>
<p>By far, the largest percentage of admits falls into category #2. But since you asked about "extraordinary," let's take category #1.</p>
<p>In this area you might have:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>People recognized as national class performers, athletes, or leaders through competition or other notable programs.</p></li>
<li><p>People who attended Boys or Girls Nation based on a competitive selection process.</p></li>
<li><p>Musicians who have won national competitions.</p></li>
<li><p>Children who have been on a television series, in movies, or on Broadway.</p></li>
<li><p>National winners in debate, film, art, vocal performance, etc.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you're really interested in politics, you might talk to your counselor about Boys or Girls state. Getting elected to a high office in that is pretty extraordinary.</p>
<p>That actually seems really interesting. Though I doubt my school's even heard of it. Our school counselors are pretty bad. Mine told the class valedictorian and Key Club president that she had no chance at UVA.</p>
<p>There are all kinds of activities for humanities types. Whether or not they are extraordinary depends on how far the student takes them. I'm thinking of debate and debating competitions, writing competitions and journalism awards, work for political causes and candidates, internships with law firms or local government, community hotlines ( great for those interested in in psychology), or field schools or museum work for budding anthropologists.
It's not so much about winning awards, but rather the leadership/commitment that you show in your area of interest that will get the attention of admissions officers.</p>
<p>"It's not so much about winning awards, but rather the leadership/commitment that you show in your area of interest that will get the attention of admissions officers."
What!</p>
<p>Pardon my poor sentence construction. I meant to say that a student can
demonstrate commitment and leadership in a variety of ways. While awards are nice, they aren't really necessary.</p>
<p>My D interned at our City Hall, my other is interning at a magazine...the help with the school fine arts productions</p>
<p>You can find all kinds of ways of doing service work that is interesting, and helpful</p>
<p>I agree about the math/science programs...and it is harder for those that have different interests to find a program, so you often have to make your own and that can be impressive</p>
<p>Look at local government- they are always looking for volunteers
and consistentcy matters, passion, and it can makle for some interesting essays</p>
<p>you may not get awards, but you can get accolades, but most importantly you can help others</p>
<p>I don't think thats true. There are a lot of programs for people interested in the humanities/politics/literature and art/theatre/music. </p>
<ul>
<li>Model UN (whole swath of different organizations that do stuff with this)</li>
<li>National Student Leadership Conferences (often in D.C., lots of people like these)</li>
<li>Debate/Forensics and Declamation</li>
<li>Spanish/French/German/Classical Languages Conferences</li>
<li>Study Abroad/ Student Exchange Programs</li>
<li>Anthropology - Volunteer or Intern as a Docent at a Museum (I did this for paleontology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago)
- Work in a Museum Education Department as a volunteer</li>
<li>English-Speaking Union (if you want to take a year off after you graduate from High School) spend a year at British boarding school</li>
<li>Win an Essay-Writing contest for some literary publication</li>
<li>Boys and Girls Nation: excellent suggestion</li>
<li>Scholastic Gold/Silver Key for Achievement in the Visual Arts</li>
<li>Intern under a County or State Congressperson, or just in the Municipal Government</li>
</ul>
<p>There are many more programs, and the internet is a good way to find out about them.</p>
<p>tokyorevelation9-
- Model UN (whole swath of different organizations that do stuff with this)
It's available only as a one-semester class in my school.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>National Student Leadership Conferences (often in D.C., lots of people like these)
Reeeally expensive.</p></li>
<li><p>Debate/Forensics and Declamation
Doesn't exist in my school.</p></li>
<li><p>Boys and Girls Nation: excellent suggestion
How does one be a part of this? All the site says is to contact your principal. I doubt my school's even heard of this...</p></li>
<li><p>Intern under a County or State Congressperson, or just in the Municipal Government
Just call them up? Is it that simple?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Well, interning in local government can be tricky, but sometimes they might be interested. I would write a letter, or e-mail an official and see what he/she knows about any available opportunities. You would have the official then contact your school. Afterwards, you would probably submit a cover letter and recommendations from your teachers, coaches, etc.</p>
<p>As for things called "NSLC", if you are in the Talent Search for your state, you could see if you get accepted to the National Student Leadership Congress, which has no cost I believe.</p>
<p>Actually, I think Boys or Girls Nation/State is limited, look at the requirement:</p>
<p>"Junior membership is offered to anyone under the age of 18 years and younger who is an immediate family member of an American Legion member or a deceased veteran."</p>
<p>Am I looking at the wrong thing? If this is so, then I doubt a lot of people could do it.</p>