<p>Browsing through the forums, I've seen people mention that "extra something" that you need on your application to get into a tough school. Things like creating a business, doing something amazing, changing the school for the best. My question is, what have you guys done that you consider exceptional? I can only think of one really unique thing I've done, but I'm not sure it's good enough. </p>
<p>Here's my story:
First day of school junior year, physics teacher is introducing himself. Blah blah blah. He mentions owning a plane and being a private pilot. I was inspired because I love planes and for a very long time I wanted to be an airline pilot. So anyways, weeks go by and I'm talking to him all about flying and he enjoys telling his stories. I push the idea of a full blown club on him and he's kinda hesitant. Now, almost every day I'm begging him to sponsor a club and teach me and other peers how to fly. Finally, I convince him to let us use his room after school and talk about planes. Fast forward about a month. The club has over 20 members and it's becoming official. I'm elected president and start coordinating events and field trips. An old marine pilot friend of my teacher hears about us. He comes in and teaches us the basics over a few months. I casually through out the idea of active members of the club flying with him as the flight instructor. I honestly didn't think it would happen because of government and school board and lawsuits and political correctness..you know. Anyway, He's automatically on board. Fast forward a couple months, and here we are, after one year of founding the flight club, over 10 students have flown an airplane, and the club is growing everyday. We're in the paper, on TV, and college professors from UNT are asking to come down and give a talk. That's all fine and dandy I suppose. Good year. </p>
<p>I guess what I'm asking, is should I write about this? Should I use this to stand out? Or is starting a club ordinary for students? I know an aviation club is uncommon, but I want to know if an admissions office will appreciate it. Would I be better with the standard "growing up in a small town as a minority..." Or "I've always wanted to go to XYZ university because I want to learn..."</p>
<p>I'm not a pro at this website, or at college admission in particular. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to find a groove for my apps. Please tell me what you think of all this, what you would recommend, if I should use it, and maybe some other ideas. I want to be different from all the other applicants. Thanks so much everyone!</p>
<p>Sorry, just to add in case it’s not obvious, this is an actual airplane flying club, not an rc or model club. Don’t want anyone confused. Thanks haha</p>
<p>You don’t need to be “special” or “unique” to gain admission into top colleges. It’s a myth that can be easily dispelled by looking through acceptance threads. People who are “special” or “unique” are in a small majority.</p>
<p>The first rule of flight club: You don’t talk about flight club</p>
<p>Hahaha yes! We actually named it flight club instead of aviation club because of that. Except our motto is “The first rule of flight club IS to talk about flight club”</p>
<p>And to tomatox1 I know many people get admitted without anything like that, but since my GPA is only like a 3.6 and SAT is barely 2000, I need all the help I can get</p>
<p>Not necessarily unique, but you can certainly show your passion with this activity. It’s not about being unique- showing the passion is more important.</p>
<p>I just really need something to make me stand out and pop. I guess I’ve just read too many posts. I’ve seen people with near perfect GPAs and test scores get rejected. I’m not perfect in those departments, so I need something extra going for me to be taken seriously</p>
<p>You can’t manufacture something to make yourself unique. What you are is what you are. Convey your passion as best you can. I think that ADCOMS have seen all aspects of applicants to know who is trying to be artificial and who is genuine. If establishing a flight club is what is important to you, that’s what is important.</p>
<p>So what you’re saying is, even if it might not seem like a huge deal to an admissions officer, it is to me, so I show the passion for it through the essays? I just want to be interesting</p>
<p>The GPA and SAT is probably too low for Ivies anyway. You have to make it past the initial cutoff before your ECs and essays and recs are taken seriously. But you never know; you might catch someone’s eye.</p>
<p>Not everyone can participate in some obscure activity. Yes, convey your passion, because only you can do so. It certainly won’t guarantee admission, but you never know who reads your essay. My son wrote about his passion, which was helping survivors of blood clots in the lungs (as he has suffered from 2 nearly fatal events). He established a local patient support group. It turns out that at one of the schools where he was accepted, the admissions officer who read his essay had suffered from the same condition. My son got a personal letter from that admissions officer.</p>
<p>Wow that’s an amazing story. Whether you call it fate or God or destiny, that must have been an amazing feeling for both the officer and you and your son. </p>
<p>As far as the Ivy League goes, that’s not my particular goal. Sure it would be nice, but it’s a snowballs chance in hell, not to mention I would bankrupt my parents. I’d like to apply to UT, UF, or UCLA. If anything exceptional, it would be UCB or RICE. But again, snowballs chance. I’m just nervous because of how competitive it is to get into UT since I’m not automatically admitted.</p>
<p>And also, why is it some people with amazing scores and GPA and stats get rejected? I read some stories of people with amazing resumes getting turned down. It’s disappointing and it makes me feel even worse about my chances</p>
<p>^
Because lots and lots of people have “amazing scores and GPA and stats.”</p>
<p>And yet, having just a 2000 on the SAT is “amazing” at my school. Kinda makes me feel stupid.</p>
<p>There are so many quality applicants out there. I can’t pretend to know what an admissions officer is looking for- sometimes they are looking to fill a particular niche in its class since they are trying to put together many pieces of a puzzle. It is really impossible to predict what school is looking for from year to year.</p>
<p>I would definitely talk about it on your application if I were you, and also make sure your guidance counselor knows about it. Or maybe use this teacher who helps with your club as a recommendation if it makes sense and ask him to mention it. Regarding admissions, study up over the summer and take the SAT one more time in the fall… you could have some pretty good results next year if you to that!</p>
<p>My whole life I’ve just coasted by, never working harder at grades than I had to. I know I’m the type of kid who make most people sick, because I still did good throughout school even with my carefree attitude. Ill admit it, I slacked off. But that’s the past, and now I’m ready to shape up and get my act together. I know I can ace the SAT, last time I didn’t even take it as seriously as it is. Yeah I know, most of you people are probably thinking “what a jerk”. I’m confident in myself. I just don’t want to be delusional with myself either.</p>