Stanford and Extracurriculars

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I am a junior in southwest Colorado and I plan on applying to Stanford REA (November 1st deadline). Stanford has always been my first choice and I am also a legacy. Over the past few months, I've come to realize that I am not your quotidian high school student that aspires to go to Stanford. Here's why: I have barely any ECs and none of them are anything special (but they are all special to me personally).
Here they are:</p>

<ul>
<li>Varsity football (9, 10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>Track & Field (9, 10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>Destination Imagination (11. I won't do this senior year)</li>
<li>Designated tutor for my high school (11, 12)</li>
<li>Interned at two companies in Jakarta, Indonesia (summer of 10)</li>
<li>Self studying Indonesian and Russian (10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>Volunteer at local human society (10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>Philosophical blogger (10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>Amateur poet (10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>Self studying piano AND trumpet (10, 11, 12)</li>
</ul>

<p>My academics are top notch, but what worries me are my ECs. I never joined any clubs in high school because honestly, I didn't find any of the offered clubs that interesting. I didn't create any clubs because what I enjoy doing, I can usually do alone (learning new languages, instruments, heavy thinking) <-- (I am a major introvert obviously)</p>

<p>My first question: </p>

<p>Do you think my lack of interesting ECs will be detrimental to my REA application?</p>

<p>My second question:</p>

<p>For my last summer before I apply REA to Stanford, I can either be an intern in Indonesia again OR I can get a "real" working job in my hometown. Seeing as I've already interned at two companies my sophomore summer, which do you think would serve me better in the eyes of Stanford REA Admissions? (Personally I'd like to go back to Indonesia and I would raise the money myself)</p>

<p>So what should I do during my last summer before applying REA in November?</p>

<p>Intern in Jakarta? </p>

<p>OR</p>

<p>Get a summer job here in Colorado?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>bump…</p>

3

<p>Let’s be honest- your EC’s are really not lacking. Four years of football and track along with the diverse tutoring and traveling accomplishments? You’re fine, and while everyone at Stanford is generally going to have really good EC’s, you are not lacking them. For your second question- it sounds like you are more interested in interning in Jakarta- why not? Either one would like good on the application, but what Stanford really wants to see is you following your passions, which clearly seems to be the interning option to me. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>They want to see you pursuing your interests, so Jakarta clearly seems like the better option for you. The only aspect of your ECs that could hurt you is a lack of leadership. Show in your essays that your ECs reflect your personal passions (because they clearly do), that’s what they’re looking for.</p>

5

<p>OP, my S is currently a freshman at Stanford and had way fewer EC’s than you do! He also didn’t do a lot during his summers in HS, other than tutor and travel with family. He is also a major introvert and didn’t participate in many clubs at school, plus he never had any demonstrated leadership. He had an excellent GPA and SAT scores, however, as well as very well-written essays, so maybe that was the key, but, frankly, who really knows? I think your EC’s demonstrate your passions already and I’m not sure how much difference it will make what you choose to do this summer–either option will be fine.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all of the feedback. Much appreciated!</p>