Hi, first post here. I’m a rising senior in New Jersey planning on applying to some selective universities such as MIT, Stanford, Princeton, etc. for Computer Science (Indian male - overepresented unfortunately). While I am sure my grades, SAT, advanced courseload, and AP’s are on par with the typical applicant, I realized that to have a good shot at these school, you have to standout through amazing extracurriculars/life experience. While I am not without extracurriculars, my activities seem pretty boring and unlikely to stand out: Captain of Robotics Team, Model UN, Key Club, Computer Science Club, Leos Club (Secretary and Treasurer), Science League, a school Volunteer Club, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Brass Ensemble and a couple honors societies (Most for 3-4 Years, pep band and brass ensemble for 1). My biggest regret is focusing on quantity over quality, but with the extracurriculars is it even worth it to apply to apply very selective schools like MIT when I have no significant awards, work experience, internships, etc. that make me really stand out? Moreover, can you guys recommend any big extracurriculars (stale/national/international competitions, making a startup, performing research, writing a book, making a successful app, etc, etc.) that I could do realistically over the summer in New Jersey before I have to submit applications?
there is nothing you can do at this point.
My strong suggestion is you go ahead and apply to those schools, if you want, and then forget that you did.
No one has more than a minuscule chance of acceptance to those schools, simply because there are so many other qualified students also applying.
MAKE SURE you are ALSO applying to colleges where you have a GOOD to very good chance of acceptance, AND where you parents can afford to send you.
Of course, I realize that these are reach schools and am applying to like 7-8 non-reach and safety schools where I’m more likely to get in and afford. But simply applying to these dream schools cost $90 each and it takes hours to write a good application. If it’s possible, I really want to do something to make me stand out and make it worth applying - I’m not really doing anything for the next two months, so I have free time.
Why don’t you take one of the things you do do and make it more than ordinary. Key club is for service, right? Do something. Take on a big project. Get others involved. Run a robotics team for special needs kids or some kids who would otherwise not participate.
You also don’t have to list every activity you ever did on your application.
To be honest, in this short amount of time, there’s probably nothing substantial that you could do. You usually have to qualify for national or state competitions which most times is a lengthy process. For students who perform research it usually takes them awhile to even find a lab that’s willing to accept them and even then research usually takes several months to complete. Writing a book and making an app are also unrealistic for this time frame.
At this point, just accept the fact that what you have is what you have and that it probably won’t change. You still sound like a great applicant, but even the kids with amazing EC’s and awards get rejected from these types of schools all the time. I think you should still apply to 1-2 of these top schools if they’re your dream schools, but also remember that you would probably have solid chances at many other great colleges.