At the moment, I want to be a human biology major with at least an art history minor – I’m very passionate about this, I’ve written study guides for my classmates, spent hours studying/reading/watching these topics for fun, and etc.
However, many of my extracurriculars do not relate to my major, and I’m really scared as I’d like the barest chance at an Ivy or top school. I really love my other activities (like Academic Decathlon, art, and creative writing, most of which I can do at home) and I do the ones I can at school (like science club, Girl Scouts, advanced courses, etc.) but my counselors have differing opinions, and they have a good track record of “success” for past students so I’m unsure if I’m going down the wrong path.
Should I drop my activities and try to find others? I’m mainly home-bound due to financial and parental reasons (for one thing, I can’t apply to summer programs and etc. due to the costs and because I need to watch over my sister, and I had to deny one previously due to this) which will pose a definite problem, even though I desperately want to do fun things like research positions and volunteering at a hospital. I do what I can at home, but I feel so ashamed when I compare myself to my classmates, who are off doing so many of the things I wished I could do.
Although I am at a private high school, I’m on financial aid, various scholarships, and I work a part-time job, so I frankly don’t have the money for many other activities. Would colleges understand my situation, and is there anywhere I can explain this on my application? I’m trying to make the best of my situation, but I don’t think it will be enough.
Thank you so much, especially for reading – this has been weighing down on me for years.
Do NOT drop what you like in order to take up what you think colleges like. Furthermore, there is no need to make excuses for your ECs on your app. You have a part-time job and childcare responsibilities; you are involved in multiple clubs and organizations; you clearly have a love of learning and of your hobbies. Relax! That is all anyone can ask of you.
Everyone’s chances at Ivies and other top schools are minimal. If this has been “weighing down on you for years,” you might want to look into some way of getting rid of this anxiety. Just talking it out with someone might be helpful.
Good luck!!
(P.S. I am also a writer. Have you checked out the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards? The deadline for this upcoming year isn’t for a while, so maybe you’ll have time to submit something in some of the categories. http://www.artandwriting.org/)
Just to be clear, what is it you are proposing to drop in favor of…what other activities?
@bodangles Thank you for the link and your kind words. 
I was just stressed out because many of my peers have accomplishments and activities that seem so out of reach for me, and if colleges were to compare me to my peers (of which I have no doubt they would, they have the full right), I don’t think I’d stand a chance at all. But you’re right, I shouldn’t make excuses – I guess I just wanted to explain it to them so they’d somewhat understand.
But thank you!
@JustOneDad If it was strictly necessary, I guess I would have to find a way to juggle my responsibilities and perhaps take another job so I can afford (transportation/program fees) to do other activities, but then I suppose I would run the risk of four hours of sleep daily and declining grades/involvement in clubs, so it might not be worth it. Thoughts?
I would want to keep doing what I’m doing currently, it’s just my counselors are stressing me out quite a bit more than usual, and I don’t even know if colleges will factor in my situation – as compared to my peers, on paper, I’m somewhat inadequate.
I apologize for the rant – school today was difficult.
I’m not quite clear on what it is you are doing right now and what activities you propose to exchange them for.
You’re in school right now? No Summer break?
@JustOneDad
I’m taking this mandatory class that’s a few days of explaining the college process/etc. at my high school – hence the increasing stress levels.
I’ve calmed down a bit now, and I suppose I was just really worried how my application would be perceived, considering that I want to be a human biology major with a chance at a top tier school. I’m lacking in related extracurriculars, in my opinion (so far, only somewhat Acadec, science club, and accelerated courses fit the bill).
It would be a lot easier for both us and you if you gave a list of all your activities and told us which ones you were considering dropping or adding.
would it be a negative if extracurriculars do not relate to major?
No. Think about it. As an example, any varsity sport is a strong EC no matter how you view it. Very few athletes applying to top schools plan to major in anything closely related to sports. Just do what you love.