<p>So I am a Junior in high school. I take all honors/AP classes and receive straight A's [4.8 gpa weighted, unweighted 4.0] and am in the top 10 students of my class of 650 or so. I can also speak 3 languages and would be a first generation college student (parents were immigrants). Teachers love me so I could get awesome recommendations, however since my parents worked weird shifts/a lot of overtime, I needed to stay home with my younger brother and babysit from the time I got home until 1 am which is when my mom would get home from work [dad at 6]. But now, that my brother is older and I can drive, I am the secretary of Spanish club, a mentor for freshman students [went through selection process] and involved in a few other activities at school. I understand these aren't really that special, especially since I want to apply to HYPS and other prestigious private schools like MIT, Boston College, and NYU. My hopefully safe schools are American U and Syracuse (any suggestions for other well known east coast private schools? I definitely do not want to go to a state school or a little known private one)</p>
<p>So my question is, what can I do to really stand out apart from all the kids who are very involved/went to private schools as well. I explained my situation to my counselor and she said be involved outside of school like volunteer at a nursing home, which I am going to start, however I'm sure the other kids have tons of volunteer things going on too. I'm also going to ask City Hall if I can intern there and I'm in the process of applying to a summer program at Brown. I'd like to volunteer abroad but I know my parents wouldn't allow me/we wouldn't have money for it. What do you suggest I can do to set myself apart in a big way? Also, any schools you would rule out with what I have mentioned? I don't want to waste 60 bucks on all of these reaches I have no shot at even.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! I'm so worried I'll look like a bum to colleges. I truly do love to help out (I've been an office/teacher aide every year during high school since that's something I can do during school) but I don't think I'll be able to reflect that. Do you think if I schedule an interview for each college that could help me out in explaining my situation one on one? =/</p>
<p>I believe in your case you should not worry too much. Make sure you put somewhere that is what you do with your free time. Watching your siblings so your parents can work.</p>
<p>Just because you have few ec or none at all does not mean all is done with, though your chances of getting accepted into an ivy school can be greatly decreased.</p>
<p>I work with low income kids who often have to babysit for sibs or work. The best way to get this across is for your counselor to make this a part of her school report. Colleges understand this and see this situation often. In some zip codes almost all applicants have this issue. And as many colleges are recruiting low income kids heavily, many kids are getting in with few activities.</p>
<p>Halie, I think I would do better in a smaller school setting with smaller classes, you get to know your professor , etc etc. You can also stand out more in these sorts of schools rather than huge state schools and I've been told you get more opportunities.</p>
<p>hmom5- So I should ask my counselor to mention that to the colleges I'm applying to? I didn't realize I/she could do that, I figured she would have mentioned that when I was explaining it to her. Thanks for the heads up!</p>
<p>Schools -- including top ones -- will take under consideration your responsibilities at home. Colleges also know that babysitting siblings requires more maturity, responsibility, creativity and independence than do most ECs, including top officer positions in school EC, so your responsibilities may enhance your admission changes.</p>
<p>Your experiences being responsible for siblings also could be a focus of your essays or included in the "additional info" section of your applications, and included in your counselors' recommendation.</p>
<p>I understand that, but the way you phrased it made you sound like all you care about is prestige. Little-known private schools are small and could have what you're looking for, too.</p>
<p>"I definitely do not want to go to a state school or a little known private one"</p>
<p>Agreed with Halie, I mean...unless you really have a good reason you don't want to go to one, stating this unconditionally, even if not intended to be, really makes you seem dismissive. Plus, almost any unconditional statement deserves qualification.</p>
<p>"So my question is, what can I do to really stand out apart from all the kids who are very involved/went to private schools as well. I explained my situation to my counselor and she said be involved outside of school like volunteer at a nursing home, which I am going to start, however I'm sure the other kids have tons of volunteer things going on too."</p>
<p>"I'm so worried I'll look like a bum to colleges."</p>
<p>Look, this attitude in and of itself deserves some correction -- if you're constantly trying to do something which NOBODY ELSE DOES just for the sake of it, what is the point? Do you think private schools really will let you in? A lot of people did high school debate, but those who did it with a certain extra passion seemed to be getting into more schools. If you like volunteering + helping, your best bet is to learn to communicate this well in essays. </p>
<p>Remember, <em>there is not really a formula</em> to getting into colleges, and so even if doing what you're passionate about doesn't get you in, it is a good shot, and has intrinsic value regardless where you go. </p>
<p>You're sounding like the kind of guy who thinks everyone who just scores and tests well looks the same, and is a "bum" to colleges. They ARE NOT. You have to realize that part of who you are will become clear only ONCE you go to college and start trying things in a land of greater opportunity. Try doing something well if you want colleges to notice you...anyone on here will tell you that's a better bet than frantically noting how less than unique the things you do are.</p>
<p>^ mathboy is so wise.
Doing volunteer work in an attempt to stand out is foolish imho. From what you describe, you will be a sought-after candidate. First-generation, immigrant family, lower income -- these are all advantages in many colleges, not drawbacks. Your household responsibilities will probably be considered as an "EC" would. Use your recently gained freedom to put more time into the things you love doing. That will be a better use of your time and is more likely to develop your resume (and you) in ways that make you seem genuine, interesting, and more attractive as a candidate.</p>
<p>Being supportive to your family is an EC in your circumstance. Continue to be authentic to who you are and be proud you have so much to be proud of and it will all go well. Now that the family needs less help be involved in an EC that interests you. Staying consistent to who you are is what the colleges want to see. GOOD LUCK!!</p>
<p>You are clearly a serious student with very good credentials. I would personally recommend writing an essay (or just a supplement) about why you haven't been able to participate as much in ECs. Show as much involvement as you can now, and explain your situation well. An amazing essay could be written about what watching younger siblings has taught you as well. </p>
<p>"^ mathboy is so wise." Someone sees what I mean =] nice! </p>
<p>"Halie, I think I would do better in a smaller school setting with smaller classes, you get to know your professor , etc etc. You can also stand out more in these sorts of schools rather than huge state schools and I've been told you get more opportunities."</p>
<p>Honorstudent --- Who said you get more opportunities? There is a fundamental difference between small, focused schools and large ones. Small ones imply more professor attention, closely knit body, and <em>frequently</em> a concentrated, rigorous curriculum (let's take Harvey Mudd as a little example). Large schools which are also reputed have one nice thing which is greater freedom to choose your program. Not everyone fits in at the small schools, and fit becomes more important because plainly, those are small communities. A good reason to go to a school like Berkeley, for instance, is that we have quite a few top departments, faculty who are elite in an extreme way, and you can kind of choose your own program of study, since the school is so big and has so many different ways you can go.</p>
<p>Now, there are great reasons NOT to go to a school like Berkeley as well. And these may involve reasons to go to a smaller, more focused program. But that's a more subtle point than you seem to be giving it credit for.</p>
<p>So you guys are suggesting, after all she's hard to work hard for, that she go to a state school? She better not apply to HYPS; they better apply to her!</p>
<p>Uhm, the point is that the OP should not be frantic to try to get into HYPS to the point at which other schools are looked down upon. There is really no virtue to that attitude.</p>
<p>And also, nobody said not to apply to HYPS -- just that one can do great things outside of them, and not necessarily greater things inside them. The main point of my posts was that the attitude of scrambling to be unique is immature, and is likely to get rejection from HYPS anyway; better be good at something and have a shot, than try to be unique and not get good at anything...plus, being good at something helps one in college itself, which is important. </p>
<p>Life does not end once you get into college, college is when after the myriad of standardized AP Classes, you get to do whatever you want with your time to a degree, and can really shine in a field of interest. It is to be used wisely.</p>
<p>I think your situation is unique and thats was colleges look for unique and those who stand out. Dont Worry...just put a side note on the 'additional info' on your college apps. If theres an admission essy topic to explain a situation/expierience that made what become you write about what you just said.</p>
<p>If you truly think you belong at HYPSASDFASDFASDF and are a sound sleeper, I recommend that you conjure up a few reasonable sounding ECs rather than trying to explain to a university alumni who couldn't care less. </p>
<p>The ends justify the means.
The ends justify the means.
The ends justify the means.</p>
<p>Here's something that most CCers will find amazing. You know what'll get you into HYPS? Passion. Dedication. Being unique. Kinda shocking to imagine but it's true! They're looking for people to add to the campus, not to just play the game further in college.</p>