Hi,
I’m a rising senior who is trying to write her college essays. I came across this question in several colleges’ supplementary sections in the Common App:
If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why?
This specific question was taken from the University of Michigan question section, but I’m sure everyone has seen a question similar to this (with a suggested word limit of about 100-150). My problem is, I’m not sure what to write about because I am planning to apply as a biochemistry major, but I only really have one extracurricular activity related to science. (I was a research intern at a lab over the summer.) However, I do not feel like I can write a good essay about my lab experience because I feel like I did more tedious work than meaningful research. However, I am very involved in music (band and orchestra) and I feel like I can write a good essay on that. Would it look bad if I applied as a science-oriented major but I didn’t reflect as much interest in science as in music in my essays or activities?
p.s. I love music, but I do not want to major in it, just so you know, although I am definitely continuing with it as a minor concentration or an extracurricular activity.
also, i do want to continue on with scientific research in college.
If you think you can write a good essay about music, do so. Emphasize details from it that will benefit you as a biochem major - attention to detail, long hours, etc.
You can definitely write about music. Your extracurriculars do not have to relate to your major. Lots of people have passions that are unrelated to their majors.
Isn’t it bad to have almost nothing on your application that relates to your field of interest though?
No, that’s a common misconception. Most schools do not admit by major because over half of college students change their major at least once. They don’t expect you to have it all figured out in high school. How can they expect you to have ECs related to your major when they don’t even expect you to know your major?
Besides, it’s good to have interests outside of your coursework. That shows depth as an individual and is something colleges look for.
I’m a math and CS major. My ECs in high school were dance, performing art that is rather rare, music, music, and more music. Seriously, lol, I was in 9 ensembles my senior year (not even counting all state and districts and those types) between school and outside groups. Besides taking the AMC, my only academic EC was electronics club which I quit my junior year because it conflicted with… You guessed it, music.