<p>Reading the forums at CC, I am daunted and caught off guard by the world that is college admissions. Before I began helping my sister looking for colleges to apply to, I was ignorant to the level of achievement of many of the applicants to these top schools. My previous image of elite colleges was, as I now realize, rather naive. I pictured anyone who is Valedictorian and a high SAT scorer being accepted to Harvard. After all, don't the aforementioned achievements warrant it?</p>
<p>Well, no doubt my perspective was once shared by many of you. Now that I do know what it is like, what can I do?</p>
<p>The responses to inquiring topic-starters about extracurriculars (whoops, I said that word) are, typically, easier-said-than-dones. I am a lowly freshman at a semi-competitive/ somewhat noncompetitive high school in Illinois. There are about 1,800 students that attend. Most of the students and faculty (guidance counselers included) are oblivious of the elite-college scene. There is a great dearth of clubs at the school, and the biggest thing in the way of sponsored competitions is the Illinois Math League. I have tried to start two clubs so far, and the administration has denied both, citing under-qualified sponsors. </p>
<p>Making it Happen:</p>
<p>I wrote a paper on bioethics over the summer and am interested in doing something with it. The only person I gave it to to read was my science teacher, who gave it back to me the next day, believing sincerely that I had plagiarized the paper. How do I get it out there? Or is something such as this so common as to warrant just tucking it away? I really don't have the right perspective to know.</p>
<p>Second is a rather common issue of "getting" that/those outstanding extracurriculars. I don't have a clue where to look. My town really doesn't seem to cater to outstanding opportunities. </p>
<p>And last is in regards to my primary passion. I have taken piano lessons for about eight years now, and I like it just fine. But my true interests lie in piano composition and improvisation. I spend many hours a week just sitting at the piano and playing. I really enjoy this, and occasionally I will cry while I play from the beauty. My paino teacher is not qualified to foster my talent, and the only time I have been able to showcase my ability in a competition was at the National Beta Club Convention in seventh grade. I am wondering if anyone is aware of competitions that would be appropriate for piano composition or improvisation.</p>
<p>I suppose the thoughts in this post are rooted from a general uncertainty of what to do, and mostly how to do it. I'm not sure what I want in the way of responses, but any thoughts would be helpful and greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>