Help! Junior in need of some advice!

<p>WHAT SHOULD I PURSUE??AND ADVICE AS TO HOW TO DO IT?</p>

<p>Research and Science? Debate? Music? SOMEONE Please help- I have good activities but very little EXTROADINARY- I know Harvard looks for excelling in an area of choice- I really need counseling and help! Someone please help!</p>

<p>What I have done or plan to do:
Research and Science:
ISTF Finalist
Plan to do research
NYLF Medicine this summer?</p>

<p>Debate/Politics/Philosophy:
Stanford National Forensic Institute
Active Debator
Interest in maybe starting a politics club?</p>

<p>Music:
Local Symphony in Summer 2003
Play violin at nursing homes and for the mayor
Part of a violin group</p>

<p>Karate:
Brown Belt</p>

<p>bumpity bopity boo!</p>

<p>my counselor called and already talked to the admissions officer....she said that this year, more thna ever, they have been looking for the hook. not the 4000 scorers, but the ones who win national titles in some obscure thing. or do something so obscure, its cool.</p>

<p>Thank you so much! :)
Any ideas of obscure things?</p>

<p>lets get obscure!</p>

<p>Just be yourself. What do you enjoy doing enough that you're willing to practice until you do it very well?</p>

<p>Hyper2400, just my two cents: a Harvard acceptance is a noble goal but it shouldn't be the definitive experience in your life. Do what you love to do, and believe me, it will show through when it comes time to apply next year. If H is or isn't right for you, you'll know when you hear back from them next year. Don't try to force yourself into the role of an H student. Good luck.</p>

<p>Or you could wait until you get into Harvard and have that security cushion before doing "what you love to do". It depends on how much you're willing to sacrifice of yourself just to get into that dream school.</p>

<p>edit: NYLF Medicine is pretty much bs. Try going to an actual selective research program this summer...NASA SHARP, NIH come to mind.</p>

<p>navy_blue, well-said.</p>

<p>Navy_Blue, I agree:
I really love philosophy and science, and my desire to get into Harvard stems not from the fact that its Harvard, but the fact that it has some of the best faculty in the world teaching philosophy, politics, and science. If Harvard did not have these things, then I would not want to get in. But because it does, that's why. Plus my family is familiar with Massachusettes and we are all avid Red Sox fans (I lived in Boston for the first 6 months of my life).
Because I want to experience the world's best training and exposure in these areas, Harvard would be an incredible school to go to, especially since it is the best with regards to my passions for philosophy and science.</p>