<p>Nothing too special</p>
<p>I thought my research was unique, but apparently that horse has been beaten to death among CC members.</p>
<p>I work as a research assistant in a biology lab. It concerns studying the neurological effects of a diet high in estrogen on meadow voles…so not saving the world or anything, but it’s been a big hit with all the admission counselor’s I’ve talked to and it’s helped me get used to lab procedures and get my name on a few scientific journals as well.</p>
<p>I also am really involved in showing dogs. I train them professionally for shows and just pet stuff, and show them at the national level in Schutzhund (a police k9 type dog sport) and AKC Obedience and Agility. I’ve won quite a few national championships and national honors in the activity and it’s given me a unique passion to write about and build up on. I volunteer at a humane society, write articles for this dog show magazine, and am working on a big nonprofit project to help solve the dog overpopulation/shelter problem. It really peaks the interest of a lot of admission counselors because it’s a unique hobby that I’ve developed a passion for, excelled in, and am using to give back as well. </p>
<p>^^I think that’s kind of the key. Develop a passion, really pursue it, excel in it, then use your skills to give back. Don’t do something just because you think it’ll look good on college apps. Do it because you really love it. In my case, I started at the age of ten upon receiving a crazy german shepherd puppy who needed a job or was going to do some work on our house (not good work either). I just kind of fell into it, stuck with it, got good at it, and before I knew it I was getting lots of job offers, winning major awards, and having opportunities thrown at me right and left. A book that might really help if you haven’t read it already is “How to be a highschool superstar.” I highly, highly recommend that book.</p>
<p>I also play classical piano at a high level and pursue art and photography pretty seriously, but those are not really considered special IMHO. Kids who can draw, play piano, or do photography are a dime a dozen. I play the piano very well, it’s something I’ve been doing since the age of 5, and I’ve won a lot of competitions, honors, awards, etc., but it doesn’t help me stand out in particular way.</p>
<p>I also just wanted to add that you might consider taking college courses or CLEP tests to get through some of the gen ed credits. I’m homeschooled, so I did this instead of AP courses but anyone can do it. I got an admission counselor at a local community college to give me a recommended course sequence for my major (biology) and then took a few classes at the CC, and CLEPed out of a bunch of gen ed classes. I’m 17 and have 60 college credits already (which would make me a junior) with a 4.0 GPA. </p>
<p>You can still qualify for freshman scholarships and whatnot, and at most colleges I applied to, I was still considered an “entering freshman.” Colleges were really really impressed because it showed initiative and the ability to already excel in college-level courses. Not to mention it was unique and helped me stand out. Not all of the credits will transfer at every college (especially at liberal art colleges), but most will, and if nothing else, it’s good preparation for college classes. Just an extra suggestion I thought I’d throw in.</p>