Ways to make me stand out?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm currently a Junior in Highschool and Princeton currently is my dream school. I'm planning to apply for early action. So here is a little summary about me:</p>

<p>I'm a first generation Asian male child. I'm the first in my family to attend college. I currently have a 3.95 GPA (un-weighted) and I still have no taken my SATs (planning on taking them in May). I'll be honest, SATs are not my strong point because I've always scored around 140-150 on my PSATs. However, I'm going to study really hard and aim for at least a 1800 or 1900. I know those are below Princeton's standards but that's probably the best I can do. Planning on taking SAT II's soon as well and plan on scoring around 700-800 there. I'm also currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.</p>

<p>I do tons of EC's such as NHS, National Art Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Drama Club (Lead roles many times and past stage manager), President and founder of our school's Gay-Straight Alliance, past Vice-President of my school's Key Club, current Lt. Governor of my Division's Key Club, and I hold plenty of leadership positions throughout many events in Key Club. </p>

<p>I'm planning on quitting about half of these clubs so I can focus on primarily on the ones that I feel most passionate about. I want to enroll in more leadership training programs and science clubs/outside programs. I plan on majoring in molecular biology and getting into something that deals with environmental sciences. I absolutely love the environment and have done many projects that involve cleaning local areas up. </p>

<p>Hobby wise, my greatest passion is art. I'm always drawing and although I'm too busy to work a job, I do art commissions. I range from all mediums... Charcoal, etching, painting (oil, acryllic, and watercolor), sculpting, digital art, graphic design, etc.</p>

<p>So in a nutshell, I'm your stereotypical Asian... But that's my problem. I do not want to be that stereotype. I know pretty much all the basic crap about good grades, scores, EC's. However, I lack that quality that makes me stand out and I need ideas to do that. Like I said, I love the environment, my goal is to become a leader, art is a passion of mine, and helping others is something I'll always do. I'd really appreciate some ideas :)</p>

2

<p>Art? If you’re good, that makes you stand out. It certainly isn’t stereotypical.</p>

3

<p>I’m sure tons of students (especially Asians) are good at art. I need ways to bring it to the next level.</p>

4

<p>i believe that you have heard about this a lot: do what you love, don’t try to figure out what admission officers like, just be yourself and challenge yourself. You need to believe that admission officers in top colleges are very very good at evaluate a student. They can tell whether you are deliberately trying to “stand out”, or you are really passionate about something…</p>

5

<p>I think of stereotypical Asian applicants as the math/science-loving, piano-playing academic overachiever. The art and environment stuff is definitely not stereotypical. …but I wouldn’t try to forge passions if you truly don’t care (not that I’m suggesting you don’t); it’s just not worth the sacrifices…speaking from personal experience.</p>

6

<p>Actually, I just saw that predicted SAT thing; you realize that only 25% of Princeton’s admitted students have SATs below ~2100, right? Generally to strengthen your ECs for whatever universities are within your reach, do what you like, but try to get recognition for it, especially the art stuff.</p>

7

<p>Focus on the art. And if there is a way to factor your interests in biology and the environment into it (I really don’t have any idea how) do it. It will tie it all together. But as others have pointed out, don’t do it just because you think it will impress an admissions officer.</p>