<p>I am a high school junior who is rather interested in being a future student at Cornell. I am well aware of cornell's heavy emphasis on having applicants demonstrate a measured passion in a specific area, but is having EC's in several areas necessarily a negative? I have many EC's focused in the environment/sciences but is entering a program dealing with my local government going to hurt my image as a focused individual? I know this sounds silly but I don't want to appear confused or wishy-washy in my applications.</p>
<p>Not at all!!! I applied RD to Cornell and was admitted with a likely letter. I put my intended major as Chemistry. My only extra-curricular related to Chemistry was Science Olympiad, but I didn’t win any major awards. Though I was able to write about my passion for cooking and tie it in with my love for Chemistry. IHowever, my major ecs were all over the place. I play both the piano and the bass. I am Student Council President. I studied abroad in Russia on a merit scholarship from the State Department. People talk about focus, but its not everything. Cornell wants people who would fit in and Cornell’s motto encourages students to be broad in their interests. Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree, don’t get so caught up in the prevailing opinion that “your EC’s must reflect your passion for an area of study”. Your application should reflect that you are an outstanding person, who is well respected and highly thought by those in your present learning enviorment.</p>
<p>Thank you, because I really like to explore with my EC’s and have been told that they are too unfocused. It is a relief that I can continue to explore in my free time.</p>
<p>Yeah, I think the whole “consistency of extracurricular activities” is a bit overplayed. As long as you’re doing at least one thing related to your field of interest, you’re fine.</p>
<p>I agree. My extracurriculars are limited… student government, dance, and various volunteering clubs. That was it, seriously nothing spectacular. Also, my major is psychology and I didn’t even take my school’s AP Psych class. No extracurriculars backed up my major, but I did write a decent essay on my interest in it. If you do what you enjoy and convey that, you’ll seem like a well-rounded student who can roll with the punches of life, live life to the fullest, insert cliche here, etc.</p>
<p>My extracurriculars were all over as well. The only activity I had close to Engineering was Sci Oly and I devoted very little time to that. If you can show passion in your essays for the school and for your chosen college, and you have grades and scores to back it up, you should stand a good chance.</p>