<p>Could I say that I read 500 books a year on my college application? Does anyone know of an award that I could get for doing that?</p>
<p>no, that’ll just look like another EC such as volunteering. I don’t think and doubt there is an award for that. However, you can mention it if you really want, it just won’t make much of a difference.</p>
<p>I don’t think that they’d believe that. I’m having trouble believing that myself. 365 days a year, 500 books. That averages out to be about 1.37 books a day. That’s impossible, unless you read books that are under 200 pages…and that doesn’t make you stand out to colleges. You must eat, sleep, use the bathroom, and I do not think that you would have time to do that.</p>
<p>That’s my opinion.</p>
<p>Sorry, not sorry.</p>
<p>@tacoperson123 I totally understand your skepticism! But on the days off that I get a year, and all the boring car rides combined… I have been doing from 400 each year since 4th grade (of course then the books were shorter) but now with 500ish page books I’m doing fine. I’ve gotten really fast at reading and yes I do read, not just skim. On a day where I have 2 hours to read (one at night, and one in the morning) and 35 minutes in the car/on the bus I can complete about 250-300 pages. On days where I have 6 hours I can go through a bunch of books and yes I do have a social life 
I’m actually quite busy. I was thinking to reach for 500 but 400 is where I usually land…</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for the detail. That makes it more believable! Just make sure that you include a slight description on the application!</p>
<p>@tacoperson123 right, but do you think I should put it on the application? Will they believe me? Will it count for anything? I do want to be an ESL teacher abroad so it does have something to do with my what I will major in… </p>
<p>I don’t think they will believe you or that it will help your app, but you can list it if you want. Also you’re a sophomore, you shouldn’t be worrying about this now.</p>
<p>I disagree with you.^ I think that you should have an idea of college, and what you’re going to do before college. You don’t need to be completely clueless when you enter High School, because I can guarantee that 95% of the people at my school have no clue that the classes that they take impact their college apps. It’s good that he/she recognizes college this early.</p>
<p>@guineagirl96 thanks, but my school really doesn’t prepare kids well with advice on course load and ECs. Most kids are browsing what courses our school has five minutes before they register for them and are doing it all on impulse! There is no one to tell the kids that do no sports or club in or out of school that they should pick up something! If I don’t worry no one will…</p>
<p>@tacoperson123 Thanks! As I said only a handful of kids at my school are aware of ANYTHING college related and there seems to be a pattern of them finding out the end of junior year and settling for local and not so great colleges when they so easily could have been prepared. They just don’t know that the competition is fierce. They are blind to it.</p>
<p>@Spiral7 Im not saying you shouldn’t be worried about college now but some of the things you’re asking about are very trivial in the long run. Yes, it’s ok (maybe good to a certain extent, but don’t get obsessed over APs) to worry about whether you’re taking the right classes and if you’re involved enough, but you shouldn’t be worried about whether you can put something on your app. Do things because you want to, not because you can possibly put it on your app.</p>
<p>Exactly! I was well aware in seventh grade! I’m a Junior now, and I was always into learning about high school and college! I just wanted to get out of middle school because I wanted to pick my classes. I had read everything on my high school’s website, and I knew all the courses that they offered! It hasn’t much changed, just a few things that doesn’t really matter to me. I knew all about GPA, ranking, which classes to take, and all that jazz! I’m so glad that I went into my Freshman year knowing everything that’ll benefit me. </p>
<p>That is an interesting fact about yourself, and you shouldn’t be doing it for an award, but if you really have a love of reading, perhaps you could mention it in your essays. I talked about how mine led to my love of creative writing. I was an avid reader too (once averaged 65 books in a school year) but I wouldn’t put it on just for the sake of putting it on the app</p>
<p>I really want to get involved and be around kids at the honors level (which I am)</p>
<p>But last year I was unaware of opportunities and only took 1 Honors Class, 1 Sport and 1 Club!! </p>
<p>I could have done soooooooooooo much more I really don’t want to miss out!</p>
<p>I also reallly regret not being involved or getting ahead in classes, I could have set myself up to do some really amazing things and I missed the chances so I am trying to make sure I don’t miss them again!
@guineagirl96 </p>
<p>@shawnspencer </p>
<h1>1 I love Psych and adore you pro pic</h1>
<h1>2 That’s a great compromise, thank you!</h1>
<p>Thanks! Psych is a great show and I am glad to see fans of my work :)</p>
<p>Just make sure it doesn’t come off as bragging. Like I may go as far as to say avoid putting the official number, but explain what makes you love it so much that choose spending so much time there and what makes you hunger for more. I am sure there have been some unique stories of you reading in funny situations. It does sound like a big part of you, and something that would compliment your app as long as it is phrased correctly</p>
<p>@shawnspencer you drew that?! It’s amazing!! I just assumed it was random clip art/fandom work which I guess it is…! You have a real talent, then!</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips!</p>
<p>Erm… no, I was referring to my acting chops. I like to stay in character occasionally ;)</p>
<p>But you’re definitely welcome!</p>
<p>Ohhh hahaha @shawnspencer </p>
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<p>I could clearly imagine an essay on this topic - with that many books read each year - you have so many anecdotes and excerpts you could quote/use. It might have to be a playful essay - you could inject humor and a sense of drive and determination into an essay.</p>
<p>In any case - far more important than the number is the variety. If after you finish reading all the SciFi award winners of the year, and then switch to reading Jane Austen then War and Peace, then some great History books (Barbara Tuchman etc) and then switch to some other challenging non-fiction and then some fluffy pop novel and then keep switching types of works then you are much more likely to be able to use this. If on the other hand most of these were kids stuff or pop novels then it is hard to imagine this helping except in the case you wanted to do the “why I want to be a writer” (and even that is a stretch).</p>
<p>And congratulations! Reading this much is so refreshing to hear, so awesome, and will help you so much down the road (and hopefully on the SAT too).</p>