Is it strange that none of my ECs correspond to my classes?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

The majority of my extracurriculars are humanities-based; however, most of my classes (especially next year and senior year, when I’ll have the most freedom in picking my schedule) are STEM-related.

My ECs include MUN, National History Day, and a literary magazine I run at the local middle school. I’ve also submitted my poetry to writing competitions. I’m also part of my school’s Colorguard/Winterguard. My only STEM-y extracurricular is teaching students in math and science for competitions (ex. Math Olympiad, Science Bowl, Reel Math).

However, most of my classes (especially the advanced ones) will relate to STEM. For example, these are the humanities classes vs. the STEM classes I’ll be taking junior and senior year:

Humanities:
Honors English 11
AP Lit or Expository Reading and Writing (AP vs. Honors-like course; not sure which I’ll take senior year)
US History (APUSH offered)
Gov/Econ (AP Gov/Econ not offered)
Journalism 1 OR Spanish 4
Journalism 2 OR Creative Writing/Public Speaking

STEM:
AP Physics 1
AP Physics C
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Calculus BC
Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra

I also have Marching Band (first-semester only; repeatable for credit) junior and senior year, but that’s sort of an optional course that most people don’t take, since it’s a seventh period and my school only has six regular periods.

Sure, I have the same number of courses in each area; but my STEM courses are far more advanced because that’s what I want to study in college. However, my extracurriculars are a bit… out of it. I wanted to do more science ECs, but they either require a huge time commitment (robotics & Science Olympiad), I can’t attend the competition (Science Olympiad), or I didn’t get onto the team because it’s super-competitive (Science Bowl).

Would it look weird to colleges (especially STEM schools, like MIT and Harvey Mudd) if I don’t have any STEM-based ECs? I’m going to apply to summer programs and I might volunteer at my mom’s workplace (county microbiology lab) or local science museums, but I’m not sure if that’ll make a difference.

tl;dr: I love the humanities, but my heart lies in STEM. However, my extracurriculars don’t show this.

2

I’m in the same situation as you, but I don’t think it’s a concern. Your extracurriculars show that you have strengths and interests beyond STEM. STEM schools will probably be able to gauge your ability in those subjects from your grades and standardised tests, and your interest because well, you’re applying to their program.

Don’t let the whole ~admissions game~ (or whatever) prevent you from doing what you enjoy.

3

@crimes I’m still going to do those ECs because it’s too late to give up on them and sign up for others anyways (really Winterguard is what takes up most of my time), but I was wondering if it looked strange. Idk, like my parents were pushing me or something (tbh my parents are trying to get me to take less challenging courses because they think I’ll be overwhelmed; if I had it my way, I’d take APUSH even if it meant death because of the rest of my junior year schedule–they want me to drop APES for AP Stats (APES is very very difficult at my school, while Stats is an easy A) or AP Bio (they don’t see the point in APES, either, even though it has a much better teacher than Bio)).

4

I completely fail to see how it would look “strange”, or more importantly, how this “strangeness” would affect you being accepted into a certain school. It’s not like you’re lacking STEM courses or anything, so as long as you’re prepared for the program you’re interested in, you can spend your free time with whatever ECs you enjoy.

If you want/can, swap the last 3 humanities courses for STEM courses?

5

@crimes Gov/Econ is required. Journalism is something I really want to do; I wouldn’t take three AP sciences in a year and I don’t want to take CS or Stats (the only other STEM courses). We have Anatomy/Physiology, but that’s the epitome of what I hate.

I don’t know, I was wondering if colleges would think I’m being “forced” into taking STEM courses when all my ECs are related to the humanities.

6

Colleges will think you are a person with diverse interests and accomplishments. My daughter (a Harvard freshie) was such a student. Clearly it did not count against her.

7

Diversity is good! I really love science, but I do not have many science E.C.'s, honestly only academic bowl which can cover some science questions. I also love fashion and do more stuff with that and art than with what I intend to major in. I think diversity shows that you are a well-rounded and intriguing student. Best of luck to you! :slight_smile:

8

@topaz1116‌

As others have said, EC’s are meant to show other interests you have. Don’t worry, as a STEM major, most of my EC’s were completely unrelated to my major (physics).

For example, I did marching band, concert band, jazz band, jazz choir, and Glee. I can’t really see that a physicist needs to know how to sing and play an instrument, do you? lol