Suggestions for improving my ECs?

Applying to College
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<p>For some reason I've always been shy to make a thread like this, but I saw worriedperson's thread and decided to post. I'm also an asian (Indian) freshman, and as of now I'm interested in...well, a lot of things. I suppose if I were to narrow them down I could describe my main academic interests as biology, physics, and linguistics. My goal is to be able to aim for schools of HYPSM's caliber, but after reading some posts here, I have a feeling my ECs are rather lacking...</p>

<p>Karate (kind of) - I did karate from when I was five through eighth grade (last year) and was certified to teach classes. At the end of last year, my mom suggested that I quit to have more time for other activities, and I agreed with her (probably one of the most myopic and thoughtless decisions I've ever made...@_@). I'm considering returning next year.</p>

<p>Cello - I started playing the cello in sixth grade, and am one of three freshmen and the only freshman cellist in my school district's audition-only orchestra. Unfortunately, I have to drop orchestra next year for scheduling reasons. However, I plan on auditioning for the most esteemed local youth orchestra (I was a member of another less competitive, local youth orchestra in middle school and I enjoyed it a lot). </p>

<p>Piano - I also play the piano, but I'm not as good at it as as I am at the cello.</p>

<p>Sports - I participated in the school tennis and swim teams this year, though I'm definitely not good at either sport. Both were fun though, and I'd like to continue them through high school if I have the time.</p>

<p>Misc. - I greatly enjoy learning languages, and so in my free time I've been teaching myself Chinese and Russian with help from my friends, who are native speakers. I really want to get in contact with students from China/Russia and participate in a "language exchange" with them, but I don't really know how I would set this up.</p>

<p>Clubs - My school district has a separate campus for all the freshmen, and so I'm left without access to any clubs for this year. Next year, I plan on joining the school's math and chess clubs. My friend and I have also been discussing the idea of starting a club that aims to create useful products out of everyday/garbage items (I know this sounds pretty vague, we're still in the planning phase, haha).</p>

<p>Any suggestions/criticism are welcome : ))
~SpaceBear</p>

<p>EDIT: That last sentence is really bothering me, I'm pretty sure it should be "criticisms"...</p>

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<p>colleges want not only breadth, but depth. pick a few you are passionate about and take them to the next level. the starting a club idea could potentially be really beneficial for you, especially if you are co-founder and president/vp. and when you do create the club, make an impact with it. take it to the community, etc etc.</p>

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<p>^I agree about choosing depths over breadth. I would give you the standard do-what-you-enjoy advice, but, assuming you enjoy all of your activities, I would pick something unique and really invest your time in that. </p>

<p>Quite frankly, karate, cello, piano, tennis, swimming, and math/chess club are pretty common EC’s for Asian/Indian applicants. Unless you’re extremely talented, it’s going to be hard to stand out with things like that for HYPSM. Your interest in linguistics seems interesting and, if you can really develop that, it may not only help you stand out, but also give you a unique essay topic.</p>

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<p>As an Asian applicant, you’re up against tough competition for math, science, and music ECs. If you really have HYPSM on the brain, I recommend you find one thing to get really excited about, and pursue it zealously. School ECs are unlikely to cut it–pursue awards and leadership positions beyond the school (representative to the school board, for example).</p>

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<p>I don’t know but I find the depth and do what you enjoy advice very annoying. People have seen that advice endlessly. I am sure they start a new thread to ask for specific advice about what they can do. What would be really good would be if you could negotiate some way for freshman to have access to the clubs as you would be making a great impact on your school and that would be an excellent EC.</p>

<p>Other than that, you either want to pursue those clubs to the next level by starting your own orchestra or something, or try something unique because, at this point, those are very common ECs and will not help you stand out. Get some leadership roles too.</p>

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<p>I don’t personally like the “do what you enjoy” advice either, as people can genuinely enjoy a whole slew of activities. The depth argument, however, is valid. To impress adcoms, you have to pursue an activity to the point of significant accomplishment.</p>

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<p>I agree that it is valid but anyone who has been on CC for a while would know all of that. The fact that they are posting a thread about a topic that has been touched on before just shows that they want something beyond the one liner saying that depth is needed. I do agree that depth is necessary.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the feedback so far, both the specific and general responses. : )
I do enjoy all of the activities I’ve listed, but I think I’ll begin to pursue the more unique ones with more energy. Language learning and physics are my two main passions - I just have to find methods through which I can convert these interests into useful, significant, and unique forms of action.</p>