Passionate EC, or another robot?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have a relatively unique EC, and the one I consider to be one of the ones I'm most passionate about. I read math books, occasionally physics books, I program as a hobby, and I self-study APs, as a hobby (I swear!).</p>

<p>What I'm really asking is, how much should I use this on my resume? I know that on one hand, it's obvious that you have to express your passions, on the other hand it seems like this isn't really an EC, it's...schoolwork. </p>

<p>To date I've self-studied Biology, Psychology and Physics B. Maybe I shouldn't use this as much as an EC since it's directly tied in to school?</p>

<p>I've also read "Calculus" by Michael Spivak and "Introduction to Mathematical Analysis" by Rudin. I'm considering getting a head start on multivariable calculus as well. Both of these books were/are quite difficult to go through, and are seen as very rigorous (and normally only read by math majors, a physicist or an engineer taking requisite math courses would use a different text). I plan on majoring in pure math.</p>

<p>I'm also considering majoring in computer science, which brings me to my other passion: I do a bit of programming as a hobby. I'm not particularly stellar at it, I've never progressed anywhere in USACO and I've never really done any other competitions. In terms of math, I've never really made any progress in AMC/AIME/USAMO or other competitions either, I just do it for fun (and the math I do for fun is different than AMC/Art of Problem Solving type stuff, it's a little hard to explain if you don't know what I'm talking about).</p>

<p>The above paragraphs are a bit of a mess, so what it boils down to is, can I use this type of thing as a passion, if it really is one, or will I be viewed as one of those students who just spends all their time studying and not doing ECs? Should I maybe only use the things that don't have associated AP tests as a passion?</p>

<p>Input is appreciated. :)</p>

2

<p>Reading math books are ECs? I hate you :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Anyhow… It’ll be hard to call them extracurriculars, and you shouldn’t put them in the EC category line. </p>

<p>However, they can be inferred to in your essay. </p>

<p>Self Studying AP tests is not an EC either. I did that myself… self studied Macro Econ, APES, Comparative Government, Human Geography, and World History. However, I got AP National Scholar by end of Junior year, which was something I put in my awards line. </p>

<p>So… basically, none of those are ECs, and they seem like passions that may make you seem too academically oriented. However, as said before, they might make a good essay topic.</p>

3

<p>While these probably wouldn’t be considered EC’s, they would definitely be worth a mention. If nothing else include them in your additional info section.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your replies.</p>

<p>Do you think their inclusion could possibly help to counterbalance an otherwise lack of stunning extracurriculars?</p>

5

<p>No… it may reek of further desperation.</p>

6

<p>First off, you mentioned a resume. Don’t include a resume in your application. I know students are increasingly doing it, but almost every admissions officer I’ve heard speak on the topic has said that schools consider it pretentious. Any activities/jobs/ECs should be included in an activity list (appended sheet with a <em>brief</em> description of the activity included if necessary).</p>

<p>As for your specific question, I don’t think it would hurt you at all to refer to your interest in mathematics. What would really be great is if your math teacher could refer to your self-study in his or her recommendation letter. At top schools (like the Ivies) admissions officers are always on the lookout for students who display a passion for learning for learning’s sake (not just for a grade). Make sure you don’t scrimp on the verbal stuff, though. Applicants who are super strong in math and science are much more common among top schools than applicants who are gifted in the humanities. </p>

<p>If you’re weak on ECs, consider getting a job. Most schools look at jobs quite favorably.</p>

7

<p>^You do have some unique things that you do outside of school … but you should also consider getting out and about … becoming active in your community and such. ADCOMs typically don’t like people who only study, even if you do it on your free time just because you like it so much. Conventionally, prepping for AP tests and reading extra books are not ECs; instead, you should discuss about them in your essays. Make sure your teachers know about what you do so that they can also stress your passion for learning in their recs. </p>

<p>Personally I was in the same boat as you were in HS. I spent so much time on the AMC/AIME because I simply liked math and wanted to do well in them. You cannot study for those tests, because they make you apply concepts that you’ve already learned in HS, but you have to use them in different ways. You need experience and time for those neurons to start firing. This comes from someone who did the same thing as you are in freshmen/sophomore/junior year. (Ironically, I studied much, much less for those tests senior year and I did ALOT better) </p>

<p>My advice: Get out and enjoy what’s out there! Volunteer somewhere, do a sport, get a job. Anything! (Even though it may be too late for college admissions)</p>

8

<p>robot isn’t the word I’d choose… it is recluse. Like the unabomber. Oh, don’t get excited by that reference… I’m just trying to shake you up a bit.</p>

<p>Unless you’re doing cutting edge research or are a bona fide genius in a field, colleges don’t need more nerds or intellectual recluses. They want people who will ADD TO THE CAMPUS, not HIDE from it.</p>

<p>Develop habits or hobbies that involve <em>people</em>… that’s what ECs are about.</p>

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<p>There is nothing wrong with including a well formulated activities resume. Some schools, for example Cornell ILR, actually encourage them.</p>

10

<p>^Well-formulated EC lists do show a sense of direction (that is a pro) … the downside is that sometimes you’ll seem impersonal or like someone who does things just for the sake of appearing “perfect.” </p>

<p>That said, asdfaoeu, I still admire your passion and love for learning, but as other posters have said, you need to interact with other people so that admission officers can see that at least you’ll contribute to campus.</p>

11

<p>Thank you for your advice everyone.</p>

<p>I think I downplayed other ECs; I do play guitar, participate a lot in a few clubs (a few leadership positions as well) and I tutored kids in chemistry, although I haven’t managed to rack up that much time doing that yet. I’m not a complete recluse :slight_smile: but I do feel like that’s all quite a bit less spectacular than what I see on a lot of CCer’s applications.</p>

<p>And I don’t know what resume means formally, I’ve been using resume and application and dossier and papers I mail to the colleges all interchangeably.</p>