<p>“I might have shown is in creating a chat group with around 100 members for Chinese students in US to help them with English and the college admission process. Do you think I can use that as an EC?”</p>
<p>I think it’s one of the more interesting things on your list. Certainly much more interesting than key club or NHS. </p>
<p>The common app does not give you a lot of space - just 5 awards and 10 activities. Use it very wisely. Don’t just spew stuff out. Think about what every word you enter is saying about you. Resist the temptation to just cram in every single thing you’ve ever done - it can dilute your message. It’s obvious you’re a strong STEM student - what else about yourself do you want to convey to admissions? </p>
<p>For every award or activity you list, think about why you’re listing it and include some context, color and interest. </p>
<p>My daughter filled out the common app the day it became available and we reviewed and tweeked it about once a week up until the deadline. We tried to think about it from the perspective of an admissions officer giving it a 10 minute read; then, summing it up to the admissions committee in just one or two sentences. Your application package needs to be clear, concise, coherent and powerful. If you spend a lot of time with it, you’ll know when it’s ready. </p>
<p>2290 is fine (I’m an Asian parent although I was born in the US so my standards may be lower). You do NOT want to appear like the “typical” test-obsessed grade-obsessed Asian applicant. You will get lost in the crowd. </p>
<p>Take a close look at your list of EC/accomplishments (first, break them down into two lists). PIck out the truly uncommon ones - take a look at other Chance posts. NHS - everywhere, toss. Orchestra - everywhere, toss. TIP- toss. Engineering Club - toss. Key club - toss. I’m not saying don’t put them down. I’m saying most, if not all, Asian applicants (and other applicants) to your schools will have these ECs/accomplishments.</p>
<p>But wait
• Cardboard Boat Regatta 2nd Place - now that sounds interesting. There has to be a story connected with this</p>
<p>and,
Created a Chat Group for Chinese high school students in U.S. to help them with improving English and applying to college - again, this is different. Who else has done this?</p>
<p>this one is a bit old,
Research at University of Arlington
What was the research? That’s more important than just the fact that you did research at a young age. Put down the research topic or field at the very least. What did you learn from this experience?</p>
<p>Your essays and more importantly, your voice in those essays will separate you from the Asian stereotype.</p>
<p>@arwarw @SlackerMomMD Thanks for your advice. I have one more question. Since I am going to major in the science and engineering field, do I need an 800 on SAT I Math? I haven’t been able to get 800 on math in the SAT Reasoning test but I got 800 on my SAT Subject Math Level 2 test. Do colleges need to see 800 for math on SAT I, too? </p>
<p>Listen to @arwarw. It’s probably more important to get the 800 on the subject test (doesn’t that cover more material than just the SAT I?) You’re DONE with the SATs (congratulations!). Work on the chat group. Figure out how to parlay your music experience and knowledge into something unique. You definitely have the know-how and imagination. </p>
<p>Remember ECs and accomplishments do not have to be school-related.</p>
<p>@SlackerMomMD
Thanks. I am trying to figure out something. I really want to do something with model UN, current controversial topic discussions, culture studies, music performances for orphanage/elders. I feel like none of them fits the STEM-related field, though, and is so hard for me to consolidate my ideas into one. </p>
<p>Test scores are fine. It is not like the admissions process is a math problem. You just need to do well enough to show you are capable, you have, move on. Your ECs are more important to distinguish you from the crowd. Do something significant in your chose field and then do something that separates you from the 1000s of other high achievers trying for those spots.</p>
<p>@arwarw @SlackerMomMD@Torveaux
Just wondering, is “manga translator” a unique enough EC for colleges? I have always wanted to translate manga from Chinese to English and finally got to do that this year. I feel like a lot of things I do seems to appear a little…meaningless…to college, such as manga and chat groups, so I was pleasantly surprised when I realize my chat group may appear as interesting instead of useless. Can “manga translator” also be an EC? </p>
<p>Yes, it’s very unique - how far did you take it? One book or many? Did you share it? publish? blog? No need to answer - just something to think about.</p>
<p>You’ll list ten activities on the common app. Just list the ten activities that genuinely mean the most to you in the general order of importance to you. Those ten should be the easiest to describe and convey enthusiasm and achievement about.</p>
<p>@arwarw So does that mean that whatever activity I put on Common Application has to show leadership/extremity(as in whatever I do I have to do it above and beyond)? </p>
<p>Ok, so then, when making choices of which EC’s to finally include or to leave out of your application.think about how each EC reads and what it says about you. Would you, for example, want the young adcoms to know you were treasurer of the Engineering Club OR that you translate cool Japanese comic books from Chinese to English and share them with other enthusiast?</p>
<p>Also, you may want to think about a cohesive narrative in your application. If there is one activity that you’re deeply committed to, you probably have other activities that support that primary activity like camps, workshops, etc. It’s OK to have a couple random activities, but I think, ideally, you want to show great depth in just two or three main activity types. For example if someone is practicing piano 20 hours a week it would make sense that two or three or more other activities are related to Piano and music - like a side jazz band, camps or workshops. </p>
<p>@arwarw Thanks for the detailed response and the link! </p>
<p>So far I have: (not thinned out EC list)
American University Preparatory Online Group for Chinese – Founder/President (10-12)
Math Club/Mu Alpha Theta – Vice President (11-12)
Engineering Club – Treasury (9-12)
Research Intern (10)
Symphony Orchestra –Section Leader (9-12)
Manga Translator (11-12)
Teacher Assistant - Dallas Chinese School (9-10)
National Honor Society (11-12)
UIL Number Sense, Math, Literature Criticisms (9-12)
JV/Varsity Tennis (9-10)
HOSA (11-12)</p>
<p>Questions:
Does Math Club, Engineering Club, Research Intern seem cohesive enough? I am also applying to a lot of STEM summer programs so hopefully some of them will also be added on to my EC list by the end of the summer.
Also, are the sentences you talked about when you said " The common app only gives you a sentence or two" written in the space provided for “Details, honors won, and accomplishments”? If so, does that mean I have to mention the 5 awards/honors I already entered for activities descriptions as well?
I also noticed that on the Common Application, there was no space for “activity name” unless is a sport. Does that mean I have to detail everything in the sentence space provided using a creative/personal writing style? </p>
<p>Sorry for so many questions and thank you so much for taking the time to help me answer these questions!</p>
<p>You get 5 awards and ten activities - you can write a sentence or so on all 15 items. </p>
<p>You can set up a common app account for free and start filling it in now to just get a feel for how it looks on paper. </p>
<p>I think the descriptions are most important. For example: </p>
<p>Engineering Club - I spearheaded the effort to get our school’s new gymnasium LEED certified.</p>
<p>Teacher Assistant - Dallas Chinese School - I taught Mandarin Chinese to a class of ten second graders for four hours every Sunday. </p>
<p>For an award you might say something like: Harvard Book Award - one of eight Junior book awards recognized by faculty for academic achievement and school service.</p>
<p>fairyfantasy - I think you should ask this question in the parents forum. If you took the SAT twice in 10th grade, I just can’t see how that would look obsessive if you took it again in 11th and one more time in 12th grade. If in June you get a 36 on the ACT, then I’d say you were done. I just wonder if a few more points might not make a difference when it comes to merit $$$.</p>
<p>Again - ask in the parents or admittance forums and see if you get different answers.</p>
<p>@arwarw Thank you so much for the helpful tips! I already set up a common app account and is hoping to apply the same strategy your daughter and you had — to review the app every once in a while. </p>
<p>@2019hope Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely do that. In fact, I just posted a few new threads in the Admissions and Ivies forums asking for help. </p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t retake with a 2290. You are in the conversation at pretty much any school with that score. I’d focus more on extracurriculars and other academics at this point. </p>
<p>If you want to distinguish yourself with your ECs I would involve yourself with underserved groups who are not asian. Your scores are fine. </p>
<p>You might not like what I’m saying but there are tons of other opportunities you can take or explore yourself that could demonstrate a willingness to engage other segments of the population outside of the cultural “safe zone”. </p>
<p>Not trying to pick on you at all, just an observation that too many asian students (or students of other backgrounds) seem insular in that regard. Also make sure its not affiliated with your school, which is too easy. Try a homeless mission, hospice, inner-city mentoring program, etc.</p>
<p>And yes I’m an american of asian descent myself. </p>
<p>If you’re already doing this just ignore my post.</p>
<p>@raregroove Thanks for the suggestions. I have been doing some volunteer work at Mission Arlington, this place in my city that offers help to the low-income or homeless families through medical care, food, clothes, etc. I don’t really have any leadership shown in any of the community service projects, though. Could you give me some suggestions on what and how to show leadership in the city trough service projects? </p>
I have one more question. Since I am going to major in the science and engineering field, do I need an 800 on SAT I Math? I haven’t been able to get 800 on math in the SAT Reasoning test but I got 800 on my SAT Subject Math Level 2 test. Do colleges need to see 800 for math on SAT I, too? </p>