<p>I know I went and dug this thread out of obscurity, but I think it's an important subject. It's actually a stand that many are afraid to take. I completely agree that if something doesn't move you, don't just smile and nod and pretend to be invigorated by a game of badmitten with senior citizens (but if you enjoy the afforementioned activity, by all means, play... lol).
So, kevster, you're right we all have hope. All we can do is what we can do... and hopefully, that will be enough. I'd love to see where you all are next year. I would guess, at your dream schools because those who have voiced their opinions in this thread seem to really deserve it.</p>
<p>Ralph, did you mention what school it is that you're interested in?</p>
<p>Just to give you all hope: a girl I know well is going to Stanford with just ONE (yes, I know, who would have believed that) EC activity on her application. Now, do not get me wrong, she is a valedectorian with the SATs to match and in her EC she has not only national but international recognition. Choose one thing you care about and get really good at it.</p>
<p>She is a sabre fencer who competes nationally and internationally, the other girl from our club went to Yale and another to Columbia. (Yes, the same thing, just one EC but trully impressive one.) These two girls are actually Olympians. No problems with admission. :)
My son fences at least 20 hours/week, so it is impossible for him to do anything else and preserve his sanity. We are not there yet (he has just finished his junior year), but let's say it this way: we do not worry about admissions too much.</p>
<p>I'm worried about my ECs. And I want to try to improve them by doing leadership things and such, but in some cases it's impossible. My main example is fencing, which is attractive to many colleges as seen above. I am a sabre fencer who started freshman year. I take private lessons and group lessons at a club, and am on the school team, but I have never fenced in a meet (I'm a junior now), and things don't look good for next year. It is simply that we have lots of good sabre fencers, many who started way before high school. So I'll never get a chance. In other activities, I have joined a few clubs that just fell apart for lack of interest. I am pres of Shakespeare Club, but it's struggling. I'm in Key Club, but it has over a hundred members so getting a leadership position is tricky. I'm an editor for French Lit, but I have done very little because they kept scheduling important meetings at terrible times (required music recitals, AP qualifying tests), and when I asked for stuff to do, they never gave me anything. I have a few other things, but I feel like I don't have enough demonstrated passion in anything. What to do?</p>
<p>I mean, I'm in NHS but no leadership position (not popular enough to be voted... hehe) and I've done swimming for four years but I'm not the greatest athelete. I haven't ever made it to state but I've gotten awards (just schoolwide though). Other than that, I haven't really done much of anything. :(</p>
<p>Yes, these kids are fencing in one of the best sabre clubs in the world.
Since you are a sabre fencer here is an idea for you: Come to Nellya Fencers Elite International Sabre Camp this July. You'll get to fence with the entire Japanese national women's sabre team, no to mention our national champions, and at least a couple of world champions. And you will get to fence in the highly ranked competition. I do not know if it will help you with the admissions, but it might be something cool to write about. :)<br>
The info is here:
<a href="http://nellyafencers.com/Summer06campinfo.htm%5B/url%5D">http://nellyafencers.com/Summer06campinfo.htm</a>
or send me an e-mail at <a href="mailto:info@nellyafencers.com">info@nellyafencers.com</a></p>
<p>The camp is VERY intensive though, keep it in mind.</p>