<p>A lot of my senior friends are getting their responses this week and it's got me thinking on what I've been doing with my high school career. I'm currently a junior in high school and i have some EC's, but their not great. The reason is that my parents are divorced, and even though I'm not broke poor I still have to help around in the house. In essence, I have become the maid/cook/tutor to siblings/organize schedule planner, in the house. This whole "job" leaves me no room for EC's. I do have some (volunteering once/twice a month at Environmental Organization, helped in a summer camp, worked 2 jobs before but they ended very early), but I know it's not enough for where I want to go. I need leadership skills to stand out during College Admissions and I know I don't have that. Everyone at my high school is fighting over who wants to be president of this club and that club, not to mention I just got there (transferred in 2nd half of sophomore year). I don't like my high school, and I certainly don't want to be a leader there. Where can I volunteer OUTSIDE high school to show my leadership to colleges? I plan on majoring in a science related field (chemistry, biochemistry etc...), but I just found out that I really love to sing (yet I'm in band.. ironic?). Do you think starting an acapella singing group w/ some friends would look nice (we would sing at events and give money to charity?, not sure if it will work out though...). It's just been so hard trying to find what I'm good at or "my niche" as other's would say. What should I do to help me "stand out" leadership wise, because I know that I can do it. </p>
<p>P.S.- I"ve noticed our BSU at our school is very lacking, and I'd love to help but I wouldn't want colleges to think I was pushing my race over my whole application, if you know what I mean. Thanks.</p>
<p>Aiding the family CAN be an EC and should certainly at least be explained somewhere on your app. You can be a leader without the title “President”, etc. You just need to think outside the box. </p>
<p>Are any of your siblings involved in anything that you can volunteer with? Weekly sports league? </p>
<p>Have you considered “tutoring” your siblings and their friends one day a week?</p>
<p>You like science, maybe a volunteer “summer science” program for your siblings and their friends with weekly experiments, mini science fair, etc.</p>
<p>Since you already cook for the house, can you volunteer 1 day/week at a local soup kitchen? I know of one in my area that permits young, supervised children to help with set-up and it works nicely for families to be able to volunteer. </p>
<p>You said you are already in some ECs and are in a band. Do any of the ECs do small projects that you can take charge of?</p>
<p>Also, if you plan to reside at college, now is the time to start a conversation with your parents as to who will take over your responsibilities at home. Perhaps a slow transition out will allow you some room in your schedule to pursue your interests next year.</p>
<p>Remember, leadership and ECs only matter at a small percentage of colleges, so don’t get all wrapped up in not showing enough. The holisitic review wants to see a 3D person who does more than just study or watch TV. If the college has interviews, you can certainly explain much more about your family role during the interview.</p>
<p>While the acapella group sounds like a great idea, and something you would enjoy…it also sounds like it would be alot of work getting it together, finding appropriate gigs etc. If there’s already an established BSU at your school…just waiting for someone to give it some direction…it seems to me like that would be a perfect avenue. Not sure how that would be “pushing your race” - colleges really like to see students who are committed to diversity. Maybe you could combine the two ideas and form some sort of BSU choir or something and that way you would have the backing of the school. My son is also a junior. So much pressure! I wish you luck!</p>