How does one twist an EC that he done for many years to something that leads to a coherent story

Pre-College Issues
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In my case, I have developed a organization that tries to chance policy regarding greywater reuse, raises money (over $3000+) to support female entrepreneurs internationally with environmental problems, and develop and give away a grow kit, which is a cheap alternative to conventional growkits to kids in libraries around me. We are on track for 1000 of these grow kits to be given out. We also give sustainability presentations to libraries in conjunction with giving away our product

However I also have a neuroscience passion. I want to turn this organization around to reflect my passion for it. Environmental Neuroscience, which is basically how pollutants affect the brain. However I do not know how to twist it conventionally. My thouht was that for policy, I could focus more on greywater’s efect on brain (???). I mean how do I even do that? My entire work is on filtering greywater, what does any of that have to do with the brain?? Female entrepreneurs? My idea was “donate to female entrepreneurs, who’s brains are more effected by pollutants (???).” that sounds like a whole lot of horse****. Our grow kits and our presentations? IDK how to switch that into a more environmental neuroscience thing since the focus is on sustainability.

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Oh for heavens sake. Just tell what you did and why
let that speak for itself.

3 Likes
3

My biggest hook is my interest in the intersection of environment and neuro. I have to demonstrate that in at least one extreacurricular

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No you don’t have to express that in your essay. My engineering major wrote an essay about developing something related to her band program. It had NOTHING to do with engineering but it did speak to her leadership, commitment to task, and ability to complete something she wanted to do.

Can you do that?

Your essay needs to be YOU
not some concocted thing you think will impress the adcoms.

And by the way
your interests are just that
interests. They are not a “hook”.

5 Likes
5

That interest is NOT a hook, it is part of your story, a part of your application.

Your activities section in the common app will address your ECs. You can also write about your ECs and interests and weave those things together in your personal statement in a way that shows (not tells) the reader who you are
your strengths, your traits, your motivations, etc. But many CA personal statement essays don’t cover ECs, at all. It’s up to you and what you want the reader to know about you via that essay.

What is at the root of your neuroscience passion? Sounds like it’s not the grow kit EC.

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Honestly I like neurotech/neuroimaging, but it is a low ROI to be chasing that as a junior, when I already have established an organization for the environment. But I know that UChicago likes people who intersect two weird majors (environment + neuro).

I like CS, but not to the point of complex algorithms/optimization. I am your aveerage desi business kid trying to make it really.

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Please don’t choose your ECs based on some impossible to calculate ROI, thinking that will positively impact your college apps
do things you want to do because you like it.

I don’t understand this, so work on how you characterize this org. Why did you start it? How did you raise the money? How do you choose who receives the grow kits? Why international and not domestic? Etc.? Lots for you to talk about in relation to that.

I am concerned that you believe you need to attend a tippy top school to ‘make it’. Spoiler alert: You don’t need to attend X school to be successful. Your hard work is what will enable you to ‘make it’, no matter where you go to school.

I encourage you to take time to research schools and what they are looking for, and assess at which schools you feel you would fit. Did someone tell you that UChicago likes people who ‘intersect two weird majors’? I assure you that alone would not be the basis for UC AOs jumping out of their chairs and saying we must have this student on our campus.

2 Likes
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You don’t need to “intersect” it.
Explain your organization and link that to your interest in majoring in Environmental science. (Develop)
Then, add a few sentences explaining how your work with greywater has made you aware of other issues, one of which is the impact of environmental factors upon people’s health, such as the way pollutants may affect the brain.

1 Like
9

Since OP asked to be banned, and I granted their request, I am closing this thread.