<p>oh and douglas adams is one of my favourite authors</p>
<p>ive applied rd to
harvard
Princeton
Dartmouth
Brown
Cornell
penn
jhu
chicago
swarthmore
williams</p>
<p>The schools you've applied to our the best schools in the US. Almost everybody who applies there is as good as the other applicant. In short, admissions are a crapshoot. You look pretty good though.</p>
<p>Definitely include the NTSE. (I made it through as well, so that has gone on my app.) And you're a competitive applicant, with those statistics, although if the essays aren't stellar it's a bit dubious. (There will be a lot of kids with your sort of qualifications, so the essay is your real chance to stand out.)</p>
<p>(I am a confirmed worrying person. Nothing can make me stop, save actual beheading or something. ;))</p>
<p>CBSE timetable is six kinds of messed-up. I hate that I have Physics first, also -- it's the one I really want 95+ on (apart from Maths, but that I can manage). One week for Biology for me (I don't consider English a subject to be studied for), which is good -- I suck at it.</p>
<p>1st - Phy, 6th - Chem, 10th - English, 22nd - Math, 5th Apr - Informatics Practices, 8th Apr - IIT (JEE) EEK.</p>
<p>That sucks. And I thought having 9 days for science sucked, in 10th. I saw two movies in the theatres in those days (I got 93). Blahh.</p>
<p>Look, you're getting me worried too, can we please keep talking about Douglas Adams? Or... maybe.. SOMETHING ELSE.</p>
<p>Hey Noldo! Thx for the reassurance than i'm not going to be a loser in life by going to Madison or UIUC! </p>
<p>Brother goes to Stanford, so hopefully they take me in cause of that haha </p>
<p>Anyways, I read in the last page that they consider low EC's for an Indian as a normal thing, and it could work for you in the application. </p>
<p>Just my point of view, but I feel that this normally works against many Indian applicants. Because schools nowdays are looking increasingly at what you do outside the classroom what with people getting damn good scores. Also, I feel that the professionalism of the Indian education system and their efficiency at getting certificates and other important documents (along with their clear and conscise presentation) works sometimes against you guys. </p>
<p>That being said, it is clear the rigor of the education system clearly produces results. An example is right here, all you guys are the same age as I am and theres a vast differnece between our SAT scores. While it doesnt point at intelligence levels, it clearly shows that you guys are more adaptive at taking tests and perform better under stress. This single point could work in your favor the most. </p>
<p>Btw, do any of guys have facebook? </p>
<p>EDIT - TheOneCurlyFry, if you would like to post your Ec's here I'll take a look at them. (And dont worry about writing a load of crap, as long as you can make it sound authentic it'll fly with the admissions commitee.)</p>
<p>I suppose the EC situation has less to do with the Indian Educational system and more to do with school per se. For example, I'm in a school where involvement in some sort of extracurricular activity is pretty much a given. I know that Lakshya's also been involved in many ECs...</p>
<p>Perhaps its because we're in the UAE, and the IIT psychosis hasn't really reached here...</p>
<p>If you post your ECs I'll be glad to have a look...</p>
<p>It is probably an individual school thing. I actually attended a school that banned ECs completely in the 9th and 10th grades. Which...makes my list pretty small, yeah. I have a few good ones at a city level -- debates, MUN, maths team, some (mostly for pleasure) writing, the odd olympiad or two -- but nothing on the level of the sort of kids who apply from the States. (Then again, my optional essay for MIT -- something I've created -- has nothing to do with academic-related work, and a lot to do with this pseudo-novel I'm trying to write, so I guess I do underplay my own involvement in ECs to an extent!)</p>
<p>The Indian system does produce good test-takers, I agree -- the SAT's length bothered me less than it did a lot of my US-friends, because three-hour written exams are a norm, so this multiple-choice stuff? Silly. What it tends not to produce, though, is excellent essay-writers: I'm sure a lot of you guys are exceptions to this, but I've proofread some of my classmates' essays (mostly bright kids, 2250-types), and they're mediocre at best. CBSE English wallops one's creativity to an extent. I think that if I had to point to the single place where Indian applicants lose out (in general), the essay is probably it -- it's possible to get in on low ECs, sometimes, but a bad essay can ruin it all.</p>
<p>Rather astute observation Noldo. I've definitely noticed the entire essay thing, though of course, to a lesser level, as my school's ICSE/ISC. Quite agree with the entire SAT thing though. I found the SAT a breeze compared to school exams. It makes you wonder as to an entire education system built upon multiple choice questions. </p>
<p>As regards our board exams, well we all tend to dampen our creative juices, lest our essays not be understood by the examiners, so in that sense, sure the system does restrict creativity. However there are a number of other factors. The teachers you have, school philosophies with regard to English and the like. </p>
<p>On a different note, as deadlines have mostly passed by now, it's probably safe to ask this question...</p>
<p>Which essays, from UChicago's brilliant choices, to Michigan's absolutely mind-numbing one's did you guys most enjoy writing?</p>
<p>For me personally, I love my Penn, and JHU essays. Both were great prompts (Pg 217 of your autobiography)&(Day where you have no obligations), and I feel I've really expressed myself in those two essays. :D</p>
<p>You lot merely dampen your creativity. We have to forcibly erase it -- no essay questions on CBSE English. It's a nightmare, honestly. (And my school's particular philosophy on English is 'The less time spent on it, the better. Now can you go away and study Physics, please?')</p>
<p>I don't know whether we should wonder about the validity of our education system, or the validity of the American one -- it seems to me that both of them have their blatant disasters. </p>
<p>As far as essays are concerned -- I'm still sending in my Chicago app (haven't written the 'why Chicago?' thing, though I've mostly done everything else). I had a lot of fun with the Caltech supplement essay, though -- 'how do you express your excitement and curiosity about maths, science, and technology?' sort of thing. I was ridiculously geeky over the whole thing, and ended up with a sort of personal narrative of laboratory pranks coupled with horrible science humour and details of my faintly-disastrous robotics attempts. :D (It's better than it sounds.) I'm also superbly proud of my Common App essay, which is more or less a love-song to Maths, and contains strange personifications of it, as well as a comparison of geometry to a seedy street-detective in the late 1950s. (I'm serious.)</p>
<p>Ah, I've got comparisons of split infinitives to the speed of light...</p>
<p>So we'll both contend for the prize for most quirky metaphor used. :D</p>
<p>I've also got a very meta-referential Penn essay, which has 4 unique time zones within it, as well as a plethora of different tenses. In fact I'm pretty sure any adcom will throw that one across the wall when they come to it :)</p>
<p>And then of course, there's k_twin, who writes essays about desks.</p>
<p>12days for computers and 5 days for IIT-JEE !! coooooooooool ! isnt it?</p>
<p>Hehe. Wow. I love your essay topics. I didn't have many challenging essay topics, I'm working on the Colgate one right now, which is pretty much the nicest one I have. The CommonApp is pretty much "topic of your choice", P'ton is "quote of your choice", Harvard and Yale are "topics of your choice" and Amherst's - I chose the "stereotypes become self fulflilling prophecies" prompt, and wrote about how just because everyone thought I couldn't do physical things because I had orthopaedic problems, and I limp, I thought the same, and how I joined an aerobics class and discovered I could actually move pretty well. </p>
<p>Plus, I wrote an essay about Atticus Finch's influence on me (backed up with examples) and juggled these two for the CommonApp. My short answer, which was prasied by almost every CCer I PMed it to is about how much I love computers. And my P'ton essay's the Douglas Adams quote. I sent every college all three essays, some as "writing samples" (I also sent some of my poetry, and a newspaper article I wrote)</p>
<p>HERE are my ECs:</p>
<p>ACADEMIC HONOURS</p>
<p>? Secured highest marks in my state in English, and 99 percentile in India in the International Assessments for Indian Schools conducted by Educational Testing Centre, The University of New South Wales and Macmillan India Ltd. Achieved a certificate of “High Distinction”
? Achieved “Distinction” and 93rd percentile marks, and “Credit” and 84th percentile marks in Mathematics and Science respectively, in the above competition.
? State 8th Rank in Second National Cyber Olympiad (Talent Search Exam)
? 52nd rank in Global Talent Search Examination of Mathematics & English Language (92.16 percentile)
? 173rd in Global Mathematics Talent Search, conducted by Bright Career
? 433rd in All India Level English Proficiency and General Knowledge Test (‘A’ Grade)</p>
<p>QUIZZING</p>
<p>? Compiled and conducted a Quiz on Harry Potter (as a promotional event for the release of a Harry Potter book) for M/s Gupta Brothers Books and Waltair Round Table 92. There were 250 participants.
? Compiled and conducted inter-school Harry Potter quiz for Rotary Club.
? Reached Quarter finals and semi finals in Godrej iSpace Rota Quiz on two separate occasions
? Participated in Young World Quiz in 8th, 9th and 10th grades.
? First in intra-school Bournvita Quiz every year since 1999
? First in intra-school Timpany Quiz every year, except tenth grade, when I was out of town and could not participate.</p>
<p>LITERARY HONOURS AND EXPERIENCE</p>
<p>? Founded, edited, marketed, and published a magazine named “The Monthly Prophet” about Harry Potter.
? Poetry published in several national publications, including newspaper “The Hindu,” Round Table India magazine, and the souvenir of 5th National Conference of the Programme for Environmental Awareness in Schools, as well as many local publications.
? Was felicitated for “Excellence in creative writing” along with one other person in a special ceremony held by the Rotary Club.
? Won “Wordsworth”, “Crossword” and “Spelling Bee” events at ABCD, a literary decathlon conducted by Rotary Club Visakhapatnam Central. Also won individual championship “Champion of Champions.”
? Was approached to conduct a series of events to promote library usage in Waltair Club (private club with membership of over 2000 families), but project failed to take off because of lack of funding.
? Second prize in city level essay writing competition on Lala Lajpat Rai conducted by DAV Public School
? Represented school in every essay writing, quiz, and literary competition the school was invited to from 8th grade to 10th grade.
? Wrote some articles for local newspapers.
? Certificate of merit in English Poetry from Appukids.com
? Copper medal in all-India Uncle Babjie’s Competition for English Poetry
? Certificate of commendation for English story writing in all-India Uncle Babjie’s Competition.</p>
<p>MISCELLANEOUS</p>
<p>? Participated in an aerobics show, in the front row of performers.
? Spent time helping out at A.S. Raja Voluntary Blood Bank.
? Participated in the 5th National Conference of the Programme for Environmental Awareness in Schools.
? Participated in rally against usage of plastic bags.
? Have been the subject of a few newspaper articles, and was “Kid of the Month” at vizagcityonline.com
? Designed my father’s business website.
? I design most advertisements for our hotel, including advertisements for food festivals, parties etc.
? Created video presentation for my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, shown to an audience of around 700.
? Participated in several All-India Camel Colour Contests
? Participated in National Level Handwriting Test (‘B’ Grade)</p>
<p>Hi, Theonecurlyfry (your name is quite a handfull to type properly!!) You seem to have some really really great academic Ec's. </p>
<p>Some points to consider: </p>
<p>You seem to be too precisise in many places. naming the number of participants often is seem as trying too hard to impress. Keep it general but give a basic idea that shows your acheivement. (short + sweet) </p>
<p>Get rid of the Harry Potter stuff. Universities wont like that. If you must have it then replace Harry Potter with something like "modern fiction quiz" or something like that. </p>
<p>Try to expand more on the "Miscellanious Section" and again dont give so many details. "Performed in front row of performers" This line is not really required and it seems as if you are trying to overly impress them. </p>
<p>Also, try and focus on what you did as a young adult, so stuff that you did in your last two years of high scool. Things such as "Handwriting tests" and "kid of the month" are quite kiddish, to be brutally honest. </p>
<p>Finally try and inclue how long you have been doing these activities and how many hours you do them each week. </p>
<p>Sorry, If I've come out as sounding really harsh or anything I just want to help. Most importantly, focus on your academic acheivements (Winning an All India Science quiz) BUT ALSO focus the same amount on your non academic Ec's. </p>
<p>Finally, try and make your wording sound a bit more professional. </p>
<p>Hope this helps, and if you want to rant [at me] please feel free to do so!!</p>
<p>Shirvats - Whats the mind-numbing Michigan essay?!?!??? I didn't get one?</p>
<p>Here are my Ec's -- this is exactly how I sent it to all my universities.<br>
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Extracurricular Activities </p>
<p>Duke of Edinburgh Award for Young People (Silver Level)
9th and 10th Grade
2hrs/wk / 30wks/yr </p>
<p>Actor in Asia Pacific Vision’s Movie on World Cup 2006
11th Grade<br>
10hr/wk Shoot </p>
<p>Actor/ Front of House in Various School Productions (Grease, Romeo and Juliet and Animal Farm)
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade
4hrs/wk 15wks/yr </p>
<p>Music Reviewer at <a href="http://www.epinions.com%5B/url%5D">www.epinions.com</a>
10th, 11th and 12th Grade
1hr/wk, 30wks/yr </p>
<p>Vocalist for School Band
11th and 12th Grade
5hrs/wk 20wks/yr </p>
<p>Cross Country Team
10th and 11th Grade
2hrs/wk 30wks/yr </p>
<p>Senior Choir
11th Grade
1hr/wk 25wks/yr </p>
<p>Photography Club
11th and 12th Grade
1hr/wk 30 wks/yr </p>
<p>Writer for High School “Vision Magazine”
11th and 12th Grade
1hr/wk 20wk/yr </p>
<p>Editor/Photographer/Writer for Yearbook Team
10th, 11th and 12th Grade
3hrs/wk 10wk/yr </p>
<p>Additional Academic Courses </p>
<p>Alliance Francias French Institute of Study
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade<br>
3hrs/wk 30wks/year </p>
<p>Advanced Extension Award for History
12th Grade
1.5hrs/wk 30 wks/yr </p>
<p>Community Service </p>
<p>24 Hour Pedal Kart Challenge (Sponsored money for Orbis Hong Kong)<br>
11th and 12th Grade
2hrs/wk 10wks/yr </p>
<p>Performed at Rock Aid (Raise money for Hurricane Katrina Victims & Other Charities)
11th and 12th Grade<br>
3hrs/wk 5wks/yr </p>
<p>Assistant Teacher for Drama
11th and 12th Grade
2hrs/wk 20wks/yr </p>
<p>Assistant Kindergarten Teacher at English Schools Foundation
11th Grade<br>
6hrs/wk 2wk/yr </p>
<p>Sponsored Swim for SARS Victims in Rural China
9th, 10th and 11th Grade
3hrs/wk 10wk/yr </p>
<p>High School Awards (Leadership)</p>
<p>Elected as Student Mentor and Leader
11th and 12th Grade
West Island School </p>
<p>Elected into School Council<br>
11th and 12th Grade
West Island School </p>
<p>Awarded Bronze in the UK Intermediate Math Challenge
10th Grade
United Kingdom Mathematical Trust </p>
<p>Elected as Student Leader on “Hong Kong Adventure”
11th Grade
Horizons Week, West Island School </p>
<p>Organizer for School Diwali Ball
11th and 12th Grade
West Island School </p>
<p>Co-coordinator for Cultural Evening
11th and 12th Grade<br>
West Island School</p>
<p>I'd agree with dda's advice, was about to say the same thing myself. Though of course, you won't be able to fit in most of this into a college application (what with those dreaded drop down boxes and word counts). My personal advice: Pick what side of your character/EC's you want to focus on, and give more importance to that part of your accomplishments. Otherwise, your really noteworthy prizes/awards get drowned out by minutiae.</p>
<p>Actually, what I did was print a page of in this format and send it along with my trasncripts and financial information to each university, in an envelope clearly labelled "EC's"</p>
<p>Oh and inshallah, I was just referring to the incredibly unimaginative prompts for Michigan. I wrote on the local/international issue prompt, and frankly, the topic seemed extremely mundane. But that's a personal view, and I'm sure it would be possible to write about such issues without sounding either precocious or condescending.</p>
<p>All I have to say is: thanks for telling me after I sent all my apps.</p>
<p>I did tell you I put a load of crap in there. I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ECs if I remove the crap :<. Or something like that. I didn't put in the award for "wonder kid of playgroup A" I got in nursery school, you know :P.</p>
<p>I would have followed what you said had you told me two days ago.</p>
<p>(I sent an extra resume. Just like that.)</p>