<p>I'm a sophomore in High School, and spare an internship I have no ECs.
I'm worried that I've waited too long to get involved in activities, and college will look at this harshly.
What types of things look best?</p>
<p>This question really bothers me. You need to DO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO! Don’t do things because it “looks good”. Because you never know what schools are looking for. Also, they are pros at seeking out people with PASSION! You can’t have passion doing something because it “looks best”. You need to be YOURSELF and do what you do and everything else will fall into place. I know this sounds cliche, but Adcoms can tell when people do things because they think they have to, not because they want to. They are looking for people with a passion for something or things, and it doesn’t matter what it is (as long as it’s not sitting on the couch, playing video games, watching TV or anything unproductive). :)</p>
<p>You shouldn’t do ECs that “look best”… do whatever you love. Do you have any specific interests? I guarantee that if you do extracurricular activities that you genuinely care about, your life will be much more fulfilling.</p>
<p>Things I like to to:
Code Android, Desktop, and Web applications and games.
I’m very experienced in nearly all realms of computers.</p>
<p>Unfortunately there are no groups in my area that share the same interests.</p>
<p>What both of you are saying is very true, but I simply can’t find any groups.</p>
<p>Can you write an app? Design a video game? Are there any online groups? If you wrote an app and could get people to actually pay for it, now that would be a different EC. You could start, or contribute, to a blog. You could start a club at your school (or in your community) for people with computer/programming/coding interests. Can you talk to your guidance counselor to see if she can find/suggest something for you? Can you do anything/volunteer in the computer department at your school? Do they have facebook page that you can run? Can you do any independent studies at your school in these areas? There are alot of things that you could do with this if you think about it. :)</p>
<p>I’m currently working on an SAT preparation app (vocab, strategy, widgets, etc), which I plan on selling. I have also been working on an Android game, but that hit a deadend because of a fatal drawback of the game engine I was working with. </p>
<p>It’s kind of funny you mention ‘You could start a club at your school (or in your community) for people with computer/programming/coding interests.’ because I’ve started and have been developing something similar.</p>
<p>The premise is it’s a charity organization that offers technical services to non-profits and struggling businesses. So businesses get helped by bringing customers and saving money on tech services, which helps the local economy, and non-profits get helped because more people have access to find them and volunteer or donate.
This is the very Alpha site so far: [Tech</a> Wings](<a href=“http://tech.pixelmanialabs.com/]Tech”>http://tech.pixelmanialabs.com/)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my school has a joke of a computer department. I often have to correct my AP Computer Science Teacher because he simply doesn’t know what he’s doing, and thus the kids don’t either. In fact, the only other student I know that has similar skills is his Teachers Assistant, who may in fact want to help with the aforementioned project.</p>
<p>Thank you for bringing these things up, it’s getting some ideas going.</p>
<p>See you have some great things going! And you said you had only an internship! Keep up the good work and don’t give up on these projects! You are on the right track! And it looks really good if you start new things that make an impact. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>“The premise is it’s a charity organization that offers technical services to non-profits and struggling businesses. So businesses get helped by bringing customers and saving money on tech services, which helps the local economy, and non-profits get helped because more people have access to find them and volunteer or donate.”</p>
<p>I think this is a really cool idea! So many tech savvy kids - so many tech-stupid non-profits! What a great opportunity to provide both one-off and on-going support. I bet you could get foundation funding for this if you were to develop a business plan and pilot it. The trick would be getting a constant supply of techie kids who are willing to do the work reliably and at a high level of quality and finding businesses and nonprofs willing to take the risk that a high school student does the job and does it well. As an MBA who works in the nonprofit world, this really gets my attention!</p>
<p>Just as a side note, it is also good to venture out into service volunteering. Yes, having a club that supports technology related programs is good. But it still is behind the scenes work.
For example, actually visiting poor neighborhood schools and teaching kids after school is more hands on. I know top schools balk at another of those 3 hrs at a shelter or 3 hrs at soup kitchen, but honestly that has far reaching effects on kids who are so used to privileged lives. There was this guy who is now at Stanford, but in addition to been computer savvy, he was doing non-tech down-to-earth charity as well and making an impact.</p>
<p>To the OP - From your website " About a year ago I wanted to join a volunteer group. I searched across the internet, as I do when I look for other services."
try this [VolunteerMatch</a> - Where Volunteering Begins](<a href=“http://www.volunteermatch.org/]VolunteerMatch”>http://www.volunteermatch.org/)</p>
<p>The things about passion is that adcoms know hs kids don’t know much about passions. Stanford’s Dean of Admissions has a youtube blurb somewhere, where he mentions this.</p>
<p>The advantage to leaving the passion concept behind is that a balanced life (incl a balanced college life) is about more than just what you love to do. It includes some responsibilities you take on because they are, in some way, the right choices. You want to show adcoms you have maturity, perspective and the energy to commit to activities that don’t simply or solely benefit your narrow interests.</p>
<p>So, I always say, three prongs: things you do to pursue your interests and future plans (the programming, some hobby, maybe music, a STEM kid going for hs math-sci activities or getting work in a hospital, etc.) Then, things you do for your group- hs clubs, sports, activities or programs, church or related to your culture. And, things you do for others in your own community, simply to meet a need and benefit them- that’s where volunteering or other comm service come in. It’s breadth and depth; it’s nice to see a kid break out of his usual pattern (eg, the kid who tries drama, though he’s into something else) and if you can combine some of the “3” it’s fine. The goal isn’t empty leadership titles, it’s to show some impact and responsibilities (even w/o a title.)</p>
<p>Just starting a club doesn’t do it- there has to be some value beyond a few friends sitting around. Just doing a charity walk doesn’t impress much. Commitment over time counts. So, see what’s around you and what you can get involved with. Show adcoms you have the right stuff. Good luck. Get started soon and you will be fine.</p>
<p>Read How to be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport.</p>
<p>Sent from my iPhone using CC</p>
<p>Regular hospital volunteering or nursing home visits are always good , and easy to find . When my D was a sophomore , the first time she visited a home the residents were all gathered to sing holiday songs . My D sang a couple of Jewish holiday songs , and ended up taking requests from the seniors . Everyone had a great time , and it broke the ice for my D being nervous around " old folks " .</p>