<p>My grades are decent...3.8 gpa (4.0 sophomore/junior years) and probably like a 3.8 this semester</p>
<p>but even though I'm academically competent, I still feel like everything in my app is super super lopsided</p>
<p>I'm majoring in public policy
and I have national and international awards in policy stuff
I do lots and lots of debate and government stuff
my counselor rec talks about that
my supp rec talks about me +policy
my essays talk about my love for philosophy +policy
and then my short answers are all like: I love philosophy. I love policy. </p>
<p>It's gone to the extent where there's nothing in my app but "Oh! She likes environmental policy."</p>
<p>It depends on what your college plans are. </p>
<p>If you want to continue to pursue your passion for policy, then I think it is OK to have a strong “theme” running through your application. Just try not to repeat the same exact things in each essay / short answer - try to find unique takes on the activity by discussing how it has affected you in different ways.</p>
<p>If your college plans are to branch out, then you need to also add some other dimensions to your application.</p>
<p>(BTW - S2’s passions are very similar to yours - he’s a debater. But he is not nearly as accomplished and his grades are not as high as yours. Most of the colleges that he has applied to have been very positive about the depth of his interest in policy and philosophy.)</p>
<p>Most colleges make admissions decision based on one’s stats plus – for public universities – state of residence.</p>
<p>The few colleges that look at factors like ECs are places like HPYS that get such an overabundance of high stat applicants that the colleges can pick and choose from among those outstanding students the ones who’ll most contribute to creating a diverse, active, well rounded student body.</p>
<p>For such colleges, being well lopsided (or being one of the rare students who is well rounded because of having a variety of interests) can be a plus.</p>
<p>I guess all of the passion just sounds repetitive. But, if I don’t talk about it then I lack focus. And if I lack focus that’s worse? I have no idea.
For instance…my Stanford App
Short answers–everything is about philosophy/env. policy
Roommate–how I love to debate everything at all sorts of times, even just casually
Intellectual- how its interesting to see philosophy in practice which is the study of public policy
Why Stanford-mix of leadership, entrepreneurship, and ‘applied policy analysis’ in the public policy department. </p>
<p>And yes I’m talking about HYPS caliber schools. I would talk about the other ones but I got into Chicago EA and my safeties so it’s just super-reaches l have left.
Wharton, Stanford, Yale. Princeton, Cornell, Brown, etc.</p>
<p>No, it’s not possible to be too passionate. However, do be sure to highlight some other aspects of your personality: you don’t want to be a “one trick pony.”</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what do you mean by “policy” awards, etc.? I’m curious since I’m pretty interested in debate/gov, but haven’t had many opportunities. Do you mean policy debate?</p>
<p>no I’ve worked with policy legislature, and I’ve one some awards for reform in certain fields.
When you say other aspects do you mean academically or personal aspects?
I’m much more of an LD Debater =D</p>
<p>
What is that? I’m intrigued.</p>
<p>
More personal aspects: show that you’ll contribute something to the campus beyond just debating policy. Should that not only are you an interestING person, but you are interestED in a variety of things and are willing to engage on the campus.</p>
<p>
Ooo! I really wish I could do LD, but here in VT we’re stuck with PF, though my coach and I are trying to start up LD.</p>
<p>environmental policy, to be exact.
Basically we created some policies to improve environmental conditions in the Southwest and randomnly won some awards off of it. I guess that’s the best way for me to explain it. If you really want to know more I can pm you, but this general description allows me to stay relatively anonymous.
LD is great!! but I’m really an Oratory girl at heart. =D</p>
<p>any more opinions?</p>
<p>Oh and just fyi, here’s my official “list” of ECs on the common App
Environmental Policy Work–4 years, 40 weeks, 3 hours per week
Speech and Debate–4 years, 30 weeks, 15 hours per week
Non-Profit Work–4 years, 30 weeks, 5 hours per week
Religious Stuff–3 years, 30 weeks, 2 hours per week</p>
<p>That’s It. I have like four blank spaces on my app because I don’t do things as much as I just do those four. It’s kind of silly, actually.</p>
<p>I’m experiencing the same thing (different passion, obviously). I don’t know whether it’s a bad thing or not. I guess we’ll find out in April.</p>