<p>I'm currently in the stage of picking my extracurriculars. I'm Asian, and I already am doing violin, piano, programming and math, which are all Asian-related activities. Are there any ECs that may boost my chances of getting into an Ivy League school (preferably not Asian-related)?</p>
<p>And yes, I have read lots of discussions regarding this issue, and the most common answer that I could find was to find an EC that I was passionate about. Well, it's really difficult for me to find something like this, so I need some help finding one. I am okay at sports (not great but I'm in pretty good shape) and I'm also really good at writing, but I'm not sure how to work that into an EC.</p>
<p>I know that I shouldn't be choosing my ECs based on college, but I don't have anything particular in mind as of yet, so this could help me choose. I'm also going to drop piano and cut down on the rest, so my time budget will be increased.</p>
<p>did you actually say “asian-related” activities…</p>
<p>that is the very problem; you need to take your activities (virtually any activity), and just show passion and strength in it. it matters nothing what they are, just that you devote yourself to them and avoid just going to one meeting or spending 1 hour a year on it (this is perhaps what you may be referencing with the asian stereotype)</p>
<p>please mod be nice I followed up ridicule with constructive criticism!</p>
<p>Read Cal Newport’s book “How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Into College By Standing Out (Without Burning Out)”. You really want to do activities that aren’t what everyone else is doing – that is the basic message. Don’t burn yourself out seeking perfect academics; you need very strong academics and test scores, but perfection shouldn’t be your goal there. But read the book – it will help you think about this more clearly.</p>
<p>The problem is, if you’re picking an EC just to impress a college it’s bound to backfire. </p>
<p>Also it seems risky to drop an EC and add a new one. Why are you dropping piano? Have you done it for a long time? Are you good? </p>
<p>If you’re really good at both piano and violin that’s very impressive itself. You may want to rethink this whole thing and continue on the path you’re already on. </p>
<p>I have read countless discussions about “passion” but when I start something I can tell from the start whether or not I like it. If I like it, that will develop into a passion. If not, I will drop it.</p>
<p>@ Mondut: I’m dropping piano because it took too much of my time, plus I wasn’t good to an extreme level (just some basic regional competitions), and unlike violin, there’s no orchestra (unless you’re THE best which is not in my case).</p>
<p>My academics and grades are very good (should hopefully stay this way), I don’t need to worry too much there. But the ECs I’m having trouble choosing some “non-Asian activities (yes I mean this).” The problem with doing Asian activities, being Asian, is that there are bound to be tons of applicants with the same profile (STEM, classical music, etc), and a very small percentage of these applicants are accepted. </p>
<p>I’m thinking something along the lines of poetry and maybe tennis (although I’m very rusty considering I haven’t played in about 3 years).</p>
<p>Basically, I’m asking what some of you guys did as ECs that were helpful in the admission process. I’m not the type to stick to an EC that I hate (for example, football), so don’t worry about any of the “passion-related” stuff because I can handle that.</p>
<p>Poetry isn’t an extracurricular. It’s something you do because you’re CALLED to do it. Writers write because they want to, not because they want to take it up to impress colleges.</p>
<p>First, don’t associate any activity with race. There are already to many ppl who do that. I suggest you honestly just explore! Go to one of the club meetings for every/most of the clubs at your schol and choose from there:) If this won’t work for you, I reccomend book club,a sport(even if you’re not “good” at it-just try it),enviornment club, Model UN/International Relations (My favorite :D), Debate(Also my favorite:D),international/diversity club, Animal Club,Yearbook,A-Capella,or anything unconventional. Community service, such as tutoring, is also rlly great too.I know it’s chesy but they aren’t lying when they say it life-changing</p>
<p>P.S Poetry competitions, and in general out-of school activities like that, DO Count as extra-curriculars.
P.P.S Don’t rule ANYTHING(Academic or non) out just bcuz it’s “overdone” at colleges. If you love STEM, Join STEM Related activities. The Important thing is to not only focus on STEM.</p>
<p>Good luck! Wish ya well & keep us posted! :)>- </p>
<p>If you LIKE music, then think of something to do with it. Maybe play for an hour once a week at a local nursing home, hospice, or rehab center? That way you could combine some of your practice time with a volunteer project.</p>
<p>If you LIKE computers, do something like that. One of our local college students volunteers a couple of hours a week at the senior citizen drop-in center, teaching everything from the basics for people who are getting computers so that they can connect with family through facebook or whatever, up through programming for those who want to try that.</p>
<p>Or, come up with something that goes along with your intended major or profession, and do that.</p>
<p>OP if you are at all proficient on the violin that would show passion already, so don’t worry about that. Stick with your instrument and be the best you can. Also try to use your skill in a way that contributes to your community - maybe form a trio or quartet to perform at a school event, or do fundraisers for charity, or go visit some nursing homes and play for the residents. Proficiency at an instrument requires years of dedication and practice and that’s one great way kids demonstrate passion. </p>
<p>I think what you refer to as “Asian activities” tend to be very solitary and that’s maybe where you could be more rounded as a person. My kids’ school regularly sends a dozen or so students to Ivies each year, and most of them have demonstrated a serious commitment to some sort of activity where they have to collaborate with others and contribute in a more creative environment (as opposed to a competitive arena). Think of student newspaper, theater productions, Junior Classical League, etc. Does your school offer any of these types of activities, and if so, pick one and throw yourself into it 100%. It’s great if you join a group that has a faculty advisor who might write one of your recommendation letters, but don’t let that be a deciding factor. Try to do something that excites you enough that you’ll be able to write a compelling statement about it when you fill out your Common App. </p>
<p>Skip the tennis since you said you’re not a great athlete. The poetry idea might have potential if you are good and can get something accepted for publication. Have you heard of spoken word poetry? It’s kind of obscure but that’s the beauty of it. Ivies love kids who can demonstrate something really unique about themselves. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for the recent replies! I got a lot of great ideas.</p>
<p>i am definitely going to join the newspaper club as I am very good at writing.</p>
<p>I’m not dropping violin, I’m dropping piano. The violin I am in the state orchestra and I plan to play in churches/nurseries. I am also the 4th seat in my school Chamber Orchestra ( I think I will be able to get 1st seat in my senior year, so that should count as leadership).</p>
<p>My intended major is Computer Science, and I know there is some competition for that (forgot the name but it goes to the international level, probably/definitely won’t get that far).</p>
<p>@KimberlyLaila, what exactly is done in International Relations?</p>
<p>One of my friends (who happens to be very good at math, I think USAMO qualifier) was hired to teach Pre-Calculus at a local church every week for 2 hours. Would something along these lines help? Would I be able to list tutoring/teaching as one of my activities?</p>
<p>@ellipticmodulo Yep tutoring/teaching def counts. It’d be in commuinty service(if you don’t get paid), but if you are paid, you can still list it , so it works either way. International Relations studies diff. countries and is basicly like the non-competitive version of Model UN. They raise awareness about global issues, debate/disscuss global issues, and celebrate/ learn about diversity. It takes on a lot of world history and geography. It’s pretty darm cool and produces some great leaders.</p>
<p>Teaching or tutoring would count as an EC. An EC doesn’t have to be a school sponsored activity. Why don’t you do something like tutoring kids for whom English is a second language? Or work with a literacy program that helps folks learn how to read. Given that you enjoy writing, this might be something that would interest you. Definitely don’t do something that you aren’t interested in simply because it’s different.</p>
<p>Also congrats to ur friend! I Plan to do math, among others, competitions such as MATHCOUNTS, IMO,MathPath Summer Camp,etc. and it is Not easy! </p>
<p>Why do people always say not to worry about college and just do extracurriculars you are passionate about? Do you really think that all those kids that have a bunch of ecs and leadership positions just did that because they were passionate about it? No! It’s because they know it’ll look good for college! Quit lying people you know it’s the truth.</p>
<p>Quit trying so hard and figure out why Harvard is the best school for you. What makes Harvard better than the myriad of other choices you have. What does Harvard offer you which is unique to Harvard and why and how are you a student that would contribute to Harvard. There is no perfect EC which is going to assure you admission or increase your chance for admission. Harvard does not want a made up ellipticmodulo. Your best bet is if they want you for who you are. </p>
</p>