I’m only a freshman in high school but my dream school is to graduate from a great finance/business school. I was wondering what extracurriculars they look for/if mine are any good.
Here are my current ones, please be honest and tell me how they are.
1.) Investment club… won 1st place in investing competition out of 100+ people. Planning on being leader senior year.
2.) A Capella… I love music soooo much; we practice 4-5 hours a week and have awesome gigs. For example we performed live at a charity event featuring really well known broadway/tony winner x2 singer Sutton Foster. May be leader senior year.
3.)Trumpet… Again love music, leader in trumpet section
4.) Chorus… leader in Tenor section and solo a lot.
5.) Entrepreneurship Club… We talk to really cool, interesting people who are extremely successful entrepreneurs and we learn how to make ideas reality. I really enjoy this. Planning on being leader senior year
6.) Creative writing/poems… Really love poetry and writing in general. My English teacher has told me on multiple occasions how I’m a gifted poet who is surely going to go places in life, (she’s amazing may get her to write a rec senior year)
7.) School Newspaper… Planning on being editor in chief or at least co-editor in chief senior year. I love writing!
Possible ecs: Should I do these or not worth the time?
1.) Jazz band, while I like trumpet, idk if this is worth the time.
2.) Chamber choir, I’d enjoy doing this more than jazz band since I like singing more than trumpet, but would this look silly for a business school?
3.) Track and Field and/or Cross Country… While I’m not the biggest sports person, I’m considering joining the track and field team and/or Cross Country team as I love running. Would this look good if I do it for 4 years since it shows consistency and also is a sport… many Stern kids lack those so would this make me look better?
4.) MUN… Not entirely interested in this but if it really helps get into a school like Stern I’d definitely give it a shot.
5.) FBLA… I hear a lot about this on people trying to get into Stern… not entirely sure how to get into this but if someone could explain it a bit I’d love to hear about it/how it helps getting into the school.
6.) Creating own business… Considering starting a music rental business. I could combine my passion for music while showing I am a capable business leader, I heard about someone else on CC forums doing this and it caught my eye.
7.) Other… What else looks really good for Stern? I hear a lot of people starting their own non profits or companies and I definitely would love to do this but I just don’t know how/what to do. Is starting your own company necessary for a school like Stern/Wharton?
Every selective school, whether liberal arts-oriented or pre-professional, like students who demonstrate individuality, resourcefulness, leadership, and a work ethic. You have a nice mix, which shows some dimension. Don’t bother with MUN if you’re not interested, but look into any EC where you will have to cultivate communications and team-building the way that MUN does. If you’re better at the tech end of things, you could get involved with Science Olympiad or Robotics. Unfortunately, many of these ECs can conflict with one another, especially at a higher level, when they demand a greater time commitment. Cross-Country is great as a sport where you really compete against yourself. It requires stamina and perseverance - two very desirable traits. The Music is YOU. It shows that you have individual passion, plus you work in collaboration with others to produce something of value and beauty. Don’t pick a genre based on what you think “looks” better. You never know: one day you may interview with a potential employer who adores Handel . . . or one who’s into classic R & B. You don’t need to do anything spectacular to demonstrate initiative. It can be organizing a fundraiser at school or being a team manager.
Wow thank you so much for your input! Really appreciate it and I’ll definitely only do stuff I really enjoy and not be someone I’m not for colleges. I do think though I’d be interested in Cross Country/ Track and field since I do enjoy running. Were you saying that would conflict with my passion for music on applications? Look forward to more feedback from other people and thanks again for your input woogzmama it helps a lot!
I did not say it would be a conflict on your applications. I apologize for any confusion. I said that certain ECs (e.g. musical ensembles, MUN, Robotics, Science Olympiad, varsity sports, etc.) can be very time-consuming at an advanced level, and there are potential schedule conflicts. Before you commit to any, be sure to check into competition dates, practice/rehearsal times, et al. If Music is your first love, give that the top priority, even if you think it won’t impress admissions officers. Your love is likely to shine through in your essays and in recommendations. Beyond that, ask around to see whether, for instance, X-C runners are involved with some of the groups you mention, but not others, because XC is a Fall sport, and some other ECs have their busiest times in Winter and Spring.
Do what fits you and do what you enjoy. Don’t mold yourself into what you think a school wants to see. You have a good amount of EC’s on your plate right now but I would say, if you can, add in the Chamber Choir, track/cross country (at least see if you like it) and possibly creating your own business.
@TheDidactic Thanks, yeah I definitely will only do what I really enjoy and is ME; not be someone I’m not. Is Chamber choir considered silly though for a business school?