<p>Also, Khaki I agree with you completely. Though I do find the “good written descriptions” a little humorous</p>
<p>In the move away from everyone demonstrating “passion,” check out the suggestion re “determination and courage” noted in this piece on “Trophy Kids and Aptocrats” </p>
<p>[Our</a> meritocracy is obsessed with aptitude, but luck plays a big role in success.](<a href=“Slate Magazine - Politics, Business, Technology, and the Arts”>Slate Magazine - Politics, Business, Technology, and the Arts)</p>
<p>The most important thing I learned so far on CC is that Asians need to be the opposite of what they are expected to be (math/science geniuses). I’m not saying that those who have great math and science skills won’t get in, but someone who doesn’t fit the Asian “stereotype” would be regarded a little bit more. </p>
<p>I’m Asian, and my dream is to study English Lit at Yale, so I’m trying to concentrate on that and emphasize my passion for reading and writing. </p>
<p>Just saying :)</p>
<p>Regarding danjinc’s post, I completely agree. In my op, I think I put a little bit too much focus on making your passion or engagement or achievement about an EC. It doesn;t necessarily have to be. I know mine talked about my passions and how I am engaged in a certain area and I mentioned my ECs to support my claims.</p>
<p>I have a somewhat complex question.</p>
<p>So, I have three things I’d like to present in my app. First, I am fluent (or near-fluent) in four languages, and have a general knowledge of a fifth. I’m confident that I could write a really good essay about this, because there’s kind of an interesting story to each of the languages I know. Next, I am involved in stem cell research (in a project that is closely tied to molecular biology and cancer research) and will be a co-author of a scientific paper on the subject in time for college admissions, and this article will likely be from a prestigious journal (like Nature or Science, for example) because the research topic is relatively “hot” at the moment. Last, I’m extremely interested in politics and almost definitely want to major in political science in college. My ideal career, later in life, would be something related to international law or politics. I founded a MUN club at my school, and have self-studied AP Comp. Gov’t (I got a 5), and that is, unfortunately, the extent of my involvement in politics.</p>
<p>I’m worried that all of these things contradict each other, in a way. My academic achievement is most demonstrated in the sciences, and I fear that my desire to major in political science will give off the impression that I’ve devoted a ridiculous amount of time to something that doesn’t actually interest me. This, obviously, is not the truth. I absolutely love the sciences. However, I feel that I would more fully realize my potential and develop myself as a person in a career tied closely to politics, rather than in a scientific one. </p>
<p>I’m not entirely sure about how I should package this. My goal is to convey my profound interest in languages, sciences, and international politics. I could easily tie languages and politics together, but I’m worried about my scientific involvement. I never expected it to be a hindrance, because it’s something I really love, but I fear that it might be…</p>
<p>Do you have any advice about how I should work with this? Something that bugs me is that the common app requires students to list ECs in order of importance, and my research position is doubtless the most time consuming one, and I enjoy it a lot, so I am considering putting it first. But then I think about how I’m not entirely interested in pursuing a career in the sciences, and I worry that this would sharply contradict my participation in an EC like this one.</p>
<p>I’m sorry for writing such an essay. If anyone could give me any advice, I’d greatly appreciate it…</p>
<p>^you’ll be fine. i think it’s a myth that yale just wants people with one passion. it can never hurt to have a science background in a sea full of people declaring polisci and econ majors. the key is presenting yourself in a desirable way. show them how interesting a person you are and how your varied interests shape you as a person. you don’t want to seem like a machine, you have to create a flesh and blood person in their mind. don’t focus on your major, whether things will conflict, ect. they’re not going to care what you’ll potentially major in because that will probably change anyway. you might end up a chemistry major. show them your potential to go in any direction. i suggest writing one essay about languages, your passion for them, ect. you can your short essay about politics, MUN, ect. and one essay about something completely irrelevant that humanizes you. it can relate back to your interest but you really want to seem like more than just someone who knows 5 languages, has done research and like most other yalies, has an interest in politics. think about you are really are. </p>
<p>my two cents…good luck.</p>
<p>^One way to indicate your desire to combine your three areas of interest and skill is to write about a problem that interests you that draws from those areas. It sounds like you might be interested in / able to do so by addressing an area of public policy that involves science and has cultural dimensions that draw on or would draw on your language skills. </p>
<p>To make your case further in your “Why Yale” essay you will want to have looked quite carefully at what Yale offers where your skills and interests in science, language, and politics combine. That is, what people you might like to study with.</p>
<p>Finally you will need some form of objective verification of your fluency in the languages, ranging from stuff such as test scores, to having attended an all-French high school, to having done some form of volunteering/other kind of work using those languages. </p>
<p>Good luck on the article in Science/Nature. That will be a lot of work. You sound like a great candidate.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>In terms of verification of fluency, my high school is all-French (it’s strange that you would bring that up), I’ve won two prizes in regional Spanish competitions, I have high CR and W SAT scores, and my parents are both Croatian and I speak the language at home. My fifth language, American Sign Language, is something I’ve taken classes in, but I think I’ll be fine for that one without any actual verification of proficiency.</p>
<p>A question regarding the common app: in the EC section, how much does the order of the ECs actually matter? Because I already have a very hard time “ranking” them, and I’m completely split on which activity to write my EC essay on…</p>
<p>I just read something about Angela Merkel, and I found out that she wrote her PhD thesis on quantum chemistry, and that she speaks numerous languages. I no longer feel quite so contradictory, haha…</p>
<p>Rockermcr…
step back and try looking at the bigger picture…there is almost no international political priority that doesn’t involve science… aids, water, natural disaster/recovery, global warming, health care, poverty, chemical warfare, stem cell research and its use in medicine, on and on…</p>
<p>even if you were not truly interested in pursuing science, a demonstrated ability to understand science is a very important skill… to me, what your “resume” says about you is your willingness to dive deep with your pursuits… </p>
<p>figure out how to leverage your commitment to knowledge and understanding… and excellence. Articles in pubs like you have mentioned require focus… make sure your EC’s also show you work and or play well with others… </p>
<p>for Yale, try to understand how you might take advantage of resources and or programs or facilities that are unique to Yale… if you were to visit Yale once school starts, perhaps a visit and time with science reporters for the YDN might be a good thing to inquire about… for instance… lots of kids will try for appointments with professors in their area of expertise… if there are some that might want to understand what your article will be about, reach out to them to see if you can get on their calendar when you visit, if you do… </p>
<p>hope this is helpful, and good luck…</p>
<p>You’re completely right, maineparent. Thanks for all of the input and support.</p>
<p>That brings up one more question: if I submit my article alongside my application, will it be shown to a professor who has experience in the field? The area of research is so precise (I unfortunately can’t go into specific details about the research online, but I’m sure you could imagine) that I don’t think it would pass as “easy reading” for someone who didn’t have something of a background in molecular biology.</p>
<p>All research papers submitted with apps are sent immediately to the respective dept (ie: science) for the profs to read it. They report back to the adcoms, who will not read your article but consider the opinion of the prof who read it. Hope this helps and good luck!</p>
<p>does the same apply to fine arts supplements? also, how heavily are the opinions of the professor’s feedback weighted, especially if it’s an extremely positive one? and what’s one like?</p>
<p>this was an amazing post, thank you for all your advice</p>
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<p>I have specific information only about music supplements, but I assume the same rules apply to all fine arts supplements. Not all music supplements are evaluated. An applicant must first make it past a certain threshold with respect to grades, curriculum, and scores. In that case, the supplement will be sent to the appropriate department for a review and ranking, which will then be relayed to admissions. A strong ranking can help an application.</p>
<p>wjb-- what would you say that threshold is? I have a 3.80 UW, no rank (albeit @ tough prep school–think exeter/andover of midwest, which is what my regional admissions officer probably thinks of it–and upward trend with an “excuse,” as my counselor is writing about adjustment issues from easy public to this tough prep). SAT 2290 superscored, my 3 SAT IIs add up to 2310.</p>
<p>Anyways, back to the topic. Does anyone have any advice on how to frame a multi-interested person’s app? art obviously is my #1, and lots of activities focused around it (lessons for 8 yrs, art-related volunteering, memberships @ various institutions, professional shows, designing for school, excellent portfolio but no major awards) but I love science/sociology as well (research, multiple cultural/international clubs with leadership).</p>
<p>PS: did this forum change, or what?!</p>
<p>chair – Obviously, I’m not on that side of the desk, but I bet your stats would meet the threshold.</p>
<p>Several people have PMed me about having a variety of passions and I’ve seen a couple on this thread as well… As I mentioned earlier, I think my OP put too much of an emphasis on having one passion and engulfing your entire application with it. Although I think it is extremely important to centralize what drives you in your application, you also need to show that you can handle a variety of different pursuits. On the Yale application, as I am sure many of you know, there are numerous ways to express yourself. You have the EC list, the CommonApp essay, the CommonApp activities blurb, the Yale Essay (on whatever), and the four or five short answer questions. Say you are a science person and you’ve won several state and local awards. It would be smart to showcase this in your application, but what if you are also passionate about Model UN?.. you can tie this in by talking about how science it a vital part of the political landscape (global warming, stem cell research, funding, etc.). When I say, be passionate, I do not necessarily mean to focus on one topic, but to just be passionate in whatever you do. If that is politics, music, and science, showcase yourself as a talented individual who has excelled in these areas. </p>
<p>When working on your application, ask yourself “What can I bring to the campus of Yale or any other school?” Adcoms will be asking themselves the same question when they read your application, “What can this person bring to the campus, if anything? Are they someone who will be active in student government? Are they a prospective singer? Maybe a possible soccer player or future editor of the Yale Daily News? How about a well rounded- friendly individual who will bring life to the campus?” They certainly don’t want to admit someone who fails to engage themselves with the world around them. This is why you need to demonstrate that you are engaged… show that you will bring life to the campus. Show that you have something unique or rare. When you can accurately portray yourself in an application through your writing, you will be one step closer to the singing bulldog :)</p>
<p>Aw well pokesurfer, you never know if you don’t apply! NYU and UMichigan are great schools too.</p>
<p>Can someone be both “passionate”/“committed”/“dedicated” without necessarily producing stellar results? Say Student A loves debate and pours his/her heart and soul into the activity consistently throughout high school. But just because he/she put that effort forth doesn’t mean that he/she be able to win national championships, etc. Surely compared to Student B who is also “passionate” about debate and is indeed a national champion, Student A’s put at a disadvantage?</p>
<p>Essentially, do colleges care so much about “passion” if the kid doesn’t ever deliver?</p>
<p>^gooood question! I was wondering the same thing. I really enjoy spanish and some other activities but haven’t won any awards for them. I mean, I guess I can still write about WHY I’m passionate about it but it would be nice to have some awards to back it up…</p>