<p>My extra curriculars look okay right now but don't seem enough after a day reading CC posts.. Is there anything I can do to improve them, and should I consider diversifying more? I regret not doing more service oriented things - will participating in an intensive summer program teaching kids english in HK push anything over the edge, or should I go to another summer camp? </p>
<p>I'm pretty sure I'm aiming for Stanford / Georgetown as high reaches, probably to study political science / international relations, maybe some of the UC schools as matches / reaches too? Thanks all and good luck!</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
[ul][<em>] Member of HK public speaking and debating delegation / team for World Individuals Debating and Public Speaking Championships (It's probably the largest and most competitive international public speaking tournaments)
[li] Key organizer at Rein Beau - a non-profit advocating for inclusivity and specifically LGBT rights (we don't have leadership positions), designed + participated in many different HK wide events. [/li]Notable: (1) a workshop designed for students at school on inclusivity / LGBT rights, inviting guest speakers, and (2) a conference for students in HK to specifically talk about inclusivity and how we can help our communities to grow, will aim specifically at helping to nurture projects and ideas.
[li] Co-president at SPARK Debating - Inter-school organization that holds charitable debating tournaments locally on a bi-yearly basis.[/li][li] President of Student Council<a href="+%20President%20of%20Assistant%20Student%20Council%20(a%20cabinet%20that%20overtakes%20the%20general%20cabinet%20after%20one%20year%20of" title="assistance">/b</a>, and 1 year of Student Council liaison)[/li][li] **President of Philosophy Society<a href="Group%20that%20gathers%20to%20teach%20/%20talk%20about%20philosophy%20every%20week">/b</a>[/li][</em>] 4-5 different best speaker awards (a few more second + thirds) for local tournaments over the years, several best delegate awards for MUN locally etc.
[li] Various other random clubs with small roles, freelance journalist for several student publications, Flute G8 ABRSM, participation in some small singing competitions + various [/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>Work Experience and Summer Activities**
[ul][<em>]Worked as coach/tutor for Flashpoint Debating, non-profit organization that teaches debating to underprivileged schools
[</em>]Attended EPGY Stanford summer camp in summer before sophomore year
[*]Internship at random research firm (that researched logistics and supply chain management, thinking about leaving this out because it's got nothing to do with my areas of interests, took it just for general work experience)[/ul]</p>
<p>Don’t let CC make you feel inferior; it’s just filled to the brim with overachievers and chances are many of them fluffed up their ECs here to make it look even better. I think that what you have right now it pretty great and shows that you’re a strong leader.</p>
<p>But there is always the upcoming summer. I’d suggest you try to get an internship relating to politics if possible. Oh and you could try to do what one of my friend’s is doing right now which is trying to reform the school (getting rid of the zero-tolerance policy, prevention of bullying, etc.)</p>
<p>Thanks, and I’ll keep it in mind! I feel that my ECs aren’t as “diverse” as others in number or subject but I spend heaps of time on each. But still, there’s always room for more! Definitely I’m starting a new term as official student council president after the break, so I have plenty of opportunity to work for service a lot more. My summer seems to be the big chance I have to do something I really want to do and that will really make a difference… with that kind of opportunity cost I feel really hesitant about making any sort of decision haha, got to think things through! Thanks for your help and answer though, and good luck to all! :)</p>
<p>Not any kind of expert so take with a grain of salt, but I think schools are more interested in seeing passion for 1 EC than a laundry list showing sheer volume of ECs. Passion shows an interesting person. Sheer volume shows a resume builder. Instead of trying to diversify your list you might consider furthering your involvement in your passion which appears to be debate/philosophy/public speaking. But regardless, imho, your ECs look strong.</p>
<p>My advice is to leave the internship in, do not take it out. It doesn’t hurt to have a few unrelated things as long as they are “real” experiences of some kind, and that definitely sounds “real”. </p>
<p>I agree, I think your ECs look pretty good. You do want to think about how to best use your upcoming summer, though. Remember that you start to submit applications in the fall, so most of your accomplishments senior year won’t be “done” by the time the apps go in. Just consider that as you plan anything for the upcoming months. That doesn’t stop you from dropping a email to admissions offices if you do accomplish something worthy after the app is turned in (in fact, you should do that). But really, you want as complete a package as possible the day you turn the app in.</p>
<p>I agree that a political internship could be a good experience. Or just volunteer big time this summer for a political issue you are interested in if there is a ballot initiative in your state this fall. When you say teach English in HK, do you mean Hong Kong? That sounds okay as well. You should do something a little off the beaten path if you can (skip the camps/formal programs this summer); you seem to have the skills and confidence that it takes to do something different than the average applicant.</p>
<p>You haven’t mentioned your test scores, but if they are not high, you should focus a lot of attention on test prep to get your scores up, too. Your ECs are already pretty strong, so that would be an area you should shore up if needed this summer.</p>
<p>Just to clarify some things for those still interested, I’m thinking of a program called Summerbridge Hong Kong (yep I live in Hong Kong! ) that aims to teach secondary students from third tier-ish local schools English through various subjects like astronomy, craft making, anything really. I’m considering it because it has an excellent reputation amongst those who have been, and seems really meaningful (plus I’m pretty interested in teaching). However, again, it has a big opportunity cost and it would be a rock-the-boat decision as opposed to another summer camp, or maybe something like a Habitat trip to build houses (unintentional sarcasm I think planned service trips can be really meaningful but I’m also pretty attached to my community in Hong Kong)</p>
<p>For my grades, my IB scores are going pretty well, I’m estimating a 42+ for now (although I’m reasonably sure this will rise since our teachers tend to mark downwards initially as “motivation”), SAT not so well at 2130 (retaking in January). I’m planning SAT IIs maybe June, but this may vary.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses everyone! I feel a little better about my chosen trajectory. A lot of it is worrying that I won’t be able to get everything done in time - At most for the sake of my sanity, I can only really do one or two BIG projects per month (so running tournaments and participating in pride parades etc.), and as much as I want to make an impact it seems like I’m in a constant, losing battle with time. Hopefully everything goes well regardless, and good luck to everyone else too!</p>
<p>I think your ECs are very strong and don’t need improvement. President of student council carries a lot of weight and you show the passion and commitment in your areas of interest rather than just resume building as someone else stated.</p>
<p>I would focus your energies on your test scores. If you get your SATs above 2300, you will improve your chances the most.</p>
<p>On summer again (since that’s what we’re all waiting for), I could also try and design my own project, or I could possibly try to piggyback this project my friend started where he is possibly going to Palestine to help refugees with supplies. The latter sounds really cool and like something I would love to do, but TBH he is so much more passionate about this issue than I am it feels bad to detract from his limelight. I could possibly plan the former in time… which would be more flexible than Summerbridge… but I really don’t think I can create anything as meaningful that quickly. </p>
<p>Would internships be better? I can find a random law firm somewhere, or try and affiliate myself with a political party (sad thing is I don’t speak Cantonese, the local language… yay me) - what does everyone think? Sorry for the rambling I tend to “think” out loud.</p>
<p>International student, Chinese heritage, sadly no US passport (that would be nice). I speak Mandarin and English quite well, but if you know a little about HK nowadays, Mandarin + “Mainlanders” (Visitors from Mainland China) don’t always receive the best of treatment! But it’s all good I’ll be able to find something regardless there are heaps of jobs for English-speakers out there.</p>
Definitely I’m starting a new term as official student council president after the break, so I have plenty of opportunity to work for service a lot more. My summer seems to be the big chance I have to do something I really want to do and that will really make a difference… with that kind of opportunity cost I feel really hesitant about making any sort of decision haha, got to think things through! Thanks for your help and answer though, and good luck to all! :)</p>