<p>I posted this on the engineering forum before realizing this is probably the better place to post it.</p>
<p>I've recently become interested in engineering, mostly BME/ChemE as a result of taking higher level math and science courses. My problem is that I don't have any extracurriculars related to math or science. Will this hurt me a lot in the long run?</p>
<p>My school has a math team, but that has never appealed to me. The first science related club was started this year, but it's a complete joke and full of kids who want it on their college apps (plus it's my junior year, a little late to be showing dedication to a club). They go to the science museum and talk about the weather and stuff, it' not exactly intellectually stimulating club. I'd never heard of Science Olympiad until I joined this forum, so obviously I never did that.</p>
<p>What I do spend a lot of time on is music. I played piano for six years, handbells for 9 years, and have been in band since the 5th grade. Band is the most important to me; I play clarinet and oboe in concert band, wind ensemble, and pit orchestra. Along with a lot of dedication to music, I am involved with my school's LINK program. We mentor freshman throughout their entire first year of high school, plan events, etc. I also am a member of NHS and a club that works to lessen hunger in the local area.</p>
<p>I feel happy about my extracurriculars, since I don't have a lot of and put a lot of time into each of them, but I'm worried because they're totally unrelated to engineering. Does the fact that I'm dedicated help outweigh that fact? Thank you for any responses!</p>
<p>You’re fine. Not everything has to relate to a potential college major. Make sure you take challenging math and science courses.</p>
<p>ITA with Erin’s Dad. Extracurricular means outside of your studies, right? So, do whatever it is you do–run track, or play the trumpet, or be in mock trial, or volunteer in your church’s Sunday school–and make sure you take serious, challenging science and math classes that will prepare you well for college.</p>
<p>Your intended major isn’t particularly important for college applications anyway.</p>
<p>Thank for the replies! I’m currently taking AP BC calc and AP chem, and plan on AP bio next year. We do not have have any advanced options for physics at my school.</p>
<p>I’ve just been nervous because I’ve seen so many prospective engineers on this forum posting their national science fair awards and such. I guess I shouldn’t consider people from here as the “average” though!</p>
<p>Outside of school I do a ton of music stuff and Church volunteering, and that’s it. I got into Northwestern for Biology. It really won’t matter as long as your classes are rigorous.</p>
<p>I have very average ECs. I didn’t join the robotics club at school either because it did not appeal to me. However, I did some summer program after junior year that is related to engineering. My stats are great but not my ECs. So far I have been accepted to a lot of great engineering schools(Purdue & Michigan).
Bottom line is that you need to do engineering ECs to apply for engineering major. But you need to articulate why you like to study engineering.</p>
<p>
Uh, no you don’t. Many colleges don’t even consider ECs. At Purdue they are just considered (not important or very important). [Common</a> Data Set - Purdue University](<a href=“http://www.purdue.edu/oir/CDS_Post/cds12_c.htm]Common”>http://www.purdue.edu/oir/CDS_Post/cds12_c.htm) The same at UMich. <a href=“U-M Office of the VPIT-CIO | Office of the VPIT-CIO | University of Michigan”>Office of Budget and Planning;
<p>I got into MIT without any math or science ECs. I did one math competition a year and I didnt win. But I had great grades in my math/science classes and did well on the subject tests.
I don’t think you need math/science ECs to get it. Just work hard in class, do well on your tests, and write great essays. Most of the engineering schools have essays specifically about engineering, so you can write about how and when you discovered your passion. For me that was midway through my junior year so it kind of helps explain why I had no math/science activities. Also, obviously pursue excellence in the extra curricular activities that you are currently in.</p>