<p>I'm about to be a sophomore next year, so I'll be class of 2017. Only until now have I realized that I probably won't end up attending my dream schools, Stanford and Columbia. Although, I think I still have a chance but at the same time, I don't think I do. So I'm hoping that some of you could give me and other lost teenagers advice. Anyways...</p>
<p>I'm doing quite well in academics and testing, possibly graduating as top in my class as painfully pretentious as that sounds. Due to that, I'm going to be a full IB student and I don't plan to drop out no matter how sleep deprived I'm going to be. With that out of the way, the real problem is my lack of extracurriculars or a "real passion" I've noticed that those accepted are really dedicated to something and that they've been doing it for a while. I mean, I have a deep interest in filmmaking and writing but I don't even know if those will become real passions of mines. In fact, throughout my life I've always been bouncing between so many interests that I feel like my high school life is going to consist of trying new things. Don't get me wrong, that's what I would like to do and I have all of these great essays in mind about it but I feel like that's all going to be overlooked because what schools want to see is if I have a single passion.</p>
<p>I don't know. Should I just shut up and figure out what I like to do and start doing it, or just see where the wind takes me and write an essay about it that's honest and possibly original? What makes an applicant stand out? Is it even too late to stand out?</p>
<p>If you don’t love what you are doing, do not do it. If it doesn’t feel perfect, don’t be afraid to toss it to the wind and follow what you think would logically bring you happiness (while still making you a productive member of society). Going from who you are and for what makes you happy is what is going to guarantee you success. Nothing else.</p>
<p>More importantly, don’t do anything just to impress schools. Schools in the end really don’t mean anything, its you that brings meaning to school. If you get in to a school based just by following a system, it won’t make you any happier. If you love filming and writing, then pursue it full steam ahead.</p>
<p>I’m going to be honest that schools don’t like to see inconsistent EC’s and interest because it increases the chance that you won’t be consistent in college. And in general, it is good to know what you want to do. However, it is okay to love a lot of different things. I surely know that I do. </p>
<p>If you aren’t sure of what you love, then its going to take some soul searching. The good news is you are young and still have some time (more than I had). When I’m been confused about what I want, I analyze my life, my surroundings and ask myself, “What takes most of my time? What makes up most of my life?” You might notice that you spend a lot of time playing with pets or pay attention to a lot of stuff related to politics. Another good exercise is to write down everything you know about what you like and what you don’t like or what you want in the future and what you don’t want in the future. It can help form your dream life and give you some motivation. </p>
<p>Example</p>
<p>Wants:
To live in a city on the ocean
To produce a play
Work with animals</p>
<p>Don’t Want:
Cats
I don’t want a job that is primarily a desk job</p>
<p>Also, don’t give up on your dream schools. Nothing is impossible. There is always a way.</p>
<p>Overall, It is never to late to start a passion, because a passion is what makes life really “start.” </p>