<p>MIT is of course a sci/tech institution, but should I list my sci/tech passions and accomplishments first, even if they're weaker than my other passion, which is politics and activism? FYI, i don't have intel, ISEF or international olympiad medals. :(</p>
<p>not necessarily. piano was first on my list of ECs (followed by math/sci research) as I felt I honestly spend more time playing piano. got in EA. but I would say, don't worry so much. it's not about how "Strong" or "Weak" your ECs are - I don't have intel, ISEF or International Foo. It's about what you care about most. I think something that's really important while doing college apps is not to JUDGE what you have, but to approach it with confidence and honesty - like, "I'm pretty cool, here's who I am, I'm not perfect but this is what I care about and this is why I belong at your school." That's a bit oversimplified.. but yeah, I'd say go with honesty and not oh-this-is-better-than-this, and the result will come out as it is meant to (and your genuine responses will probably be more impressive than anything you could have tried to create anyway). so, hehe, only you can decide which has taken more time, effort, love, care, etc. during high school - politics and activism, or sci/tech! good luck! :-)</p>