I was reading that Ivy Leagues generally don’t care about joining clubs or sports teams. I was reading that they want students who win competitions, start campaigns and fundraisers. Anything that STANDS out. I also read that those people who do the norm by joining clubs are meant for UC’s.
SO. If you have gone to a UC or a private University, what would you recommend me doing? Something out of the box. I volunteer with TreePeople. I occasionally volunteer at the LA Regional Food Bank with my mom. I’m going to try volunteering at a Kaiser near my house, and maybe the library too. I’m only 15 right now, and nobody is willing to hire me. I’ve started a small etsy-like store too as a way to make money. I don’t know what else to do. Also, I can’t drive on my own yet. So i always have to be dropped off. It’s summer and none of my parents are home during the day
If there are any programs or opportunities you know about in California, please reply!! I have a curious mind, so I don’t mind where I’m volunteering
Where did you read that? On the college web sites? I don’t think so. First task is to get the info right, so you can make wise decisions.
Elite colleges want alumni/nae who are successful. The financial successful donate back to the schools; Prize winners bring notoriety and honors for which the school can claim some part in bringing that about.
So to be admitted, your application needs to show that you will be successful later in life, even if you don’t go to an Ivy League school. In other words, if you NEED an Ivy League school to be successful, you won’t get in. If you DON’T need them, THEN they want you.
Fill up your application with those things that would indicate that in 15 years you will be Master of the Universe and the AdComs who rejected you will look foolish for letting you get away.
You were reading some uninformed nonsense. Read better things.
Thank you @jjrm815 . You seem to be the only kind person on this thread. I appreciate your advice.
To everyone else, I’m only 15 years old. Give me a break. I’m just trying to do my best to get into a good university. I asked this question based on information I found in the Ask Dean forum; so pardon me for “reading nonsense,” or not being wise. Okay? If you don’t want to help kids who are actually putting effort, then go to yahoo answers and be rude there. I’m using all the resources I can find (not just this website.) I’m reading anything and everything I can find on the internet. My high school counselors are terrible, and they don’t know anything; So unlike the rest of my classmates, I’m trying to to find out everything for myself.
So once again, pardon me for not knowing everything that appears to be obvious to you.
I don’t think the “reading nonsense” bit was to poke fun at you, but rather whatever you were reading…“people who join clubs are meant for UCs” is nonsensical. The UCs span a range of selectivities, with the more selective ones often being counted as among the best in the country. ~15% acceptance rate for Berkeley…that’s not a school you can get into just like that.
Furthermore, there’s no reason why being in / leading a club can’t be just as cool as starting a fundraiser(??). It’s what you do with your ECs that matters. A rinky-dink fundraiser that raises $300 from six people isn’t all that impressive either.
So I believe the point is to take any information you’re getting from anonymous strangers on the internet with a grain of salt.
@KYDEGU I think what you have read makes sense because it helps set you apart from other candidates, however my advice to you is to find a way to set you apart that includes things that you are passionate about. Don’t do it just for college admission because it will become obvious. So what are you passionate about? You list various volunteering opportunities but can there be leadership opportunities in those roles? Can you form a group with other students to have a greater impact on those organizations? Your Etsy store suggests that you have “web” skills can you use that for fundraising for the organizations that you are passionate about? I think those are the things that can make you an interesting candidate. Also, make a list of the schools that interest you and see if you can read some bios from the admitted students. One top school, Vanderbilt, has bios on students that were awarded their top merit and leadership type scholarships. That can give you more inspiration of activities that can make you stand out Finally, consider reading Cal Newport’s book “How to Be a High School Superstar” for more info. Keep us posted on your progress.
OP, our comments are about getting your wheels on the right track. Nowhere is it true that they don’t care about joining or that fundraising is some special value. (In fact, it’s often not.) If you take care to read what the colleges themselves say, you can start to put the right pieces together.
In fact, elite college adcoms are not focused on alums who are successful or applicants who seem headed to great wealth and fame, as much as, first, how the four years on campus will go. If they can put together the right class for the four years, with the right attributes, strengths, energy, etc, the rest will follow. Start reading what the colleges say they look for and you will see that.
Be cautious about your interpretation of what you read. Joining (what you choose to be involved with, how you commit, take on responsibilities and have some impact around you- not just empty titles in some misc club) is, in fact, one way adcoms can project you will get involved on campus. Your current tree people and food bank is a good start.
Pursue what you are interested in because it interests you, not because you are trying to conform yourself to what a college wants. It is important to develop yourself as a person, and then the right colleges will find you. Don’t try to mold yourself to be an “Ivy” student because it is impossible to know what the admissions officers are looking for. An institution’s priorities will change from year to year, and it would be impossible for you to be a “perfect” candidate. So please, don’t try to be. Be yourself, and find activities that you love doing because they inspire you and add value to your life. This will make your application authentic and allow colleges that fit you and your personality and your desires to find you.
Read the book “How to be a High School Superstar” by Cal Newport
OP, Kudos to you for having the foresight to start inquiring about what it will take to get where you want to go and to ask or reach out for advice or help to get there… I have been told by an ivy league admissions officer that is the kind of student they like… one that isn’t afraid to reach out to “higher ups” for advice so you can take action to help solve a problem. You are on the right track… lets see if we can help you identify some ideas.
First, what do you think you will want to study in college? Second, why have you chosen the organizations that you volunteer at… any passion or societal problem that is important to you? From there I bet we can give you some concrete ideas that you can take where you want to …
Also I really agree w the people telling you to read Cal Newport - here is a helpful article http://calnewport.com/blog/2010/03/26/how-to-get-into-stanford-with-bs-on-your-transcript-failed-simulations-the-surprising-psychology-of-impressiveness/
this may help you a bit, http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-for-admission-to-harvard-p1.html
From what I have seen Harvard wants kids who they think will be leaders. That can be portrayed in many different ways. It can be the future senator or the person working in the lab by himself who develops a new drug.
Harvard actually has a page discussing this and “leadership” only appears as two small words inserted among many other important ones.
It’s not what kids “think” they will become. That’s too easy. It’s the qualities they have already begin to show. That’s more indicative.
I’m sorry, @KYDEGU , and yes, I was making fun of the bad advice that’s floating around. You’re only 15; don’t “strategize” too much. Just do well, pursue your interests as best you can.