I have a few achievements/academic accomplishments: US Computing Olympiad Silver, 9 AP Exams (5 self-studied) all 5’s, taking undergrad math at a local university, National Merit Semifinalist, US Physics Olympiad Semifinalist Bronze.
Please don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not trying to be arrogant or insecure, trying to get some form of affirmation. I know that there are so many talented, highly motivated individuals out there that have accomplished so much more, and I really don’t know if these stand out at all in the big scheme for highly selective universities.
The big question is:
Which of these would be considered spikes (or small humps that I can emphasize in my application?
The whole point is that you must be world class at just one or at max two things.
Now world class could mean being in the top few students in the nation as it is for olympiads. Basically you must have a huge achievement in whatever you love to do and want to pursue in college.
Also the spike can be developed not just through having huge achievements but also through streamlined extracurricular activities which should clearly point that you really love that subject. That is called strategic positioning in an app.
If you love CS then streamline your app for CS. taking undergrad math and cs courses will show love for learning. It will show that you took the initiative. You could also try MOOCs. And your computing olympiad medal will validate all that.
AP exams, national merit semifinalist etc. are simply too common so they wont add anything. they are technically useless. no weightage at top schools.
However remember that there should be atleast a few extracurriculars which should show leaderships skills etc. Atleast some variety is expected. It could mean founding a CS club at highschool. That way you present both, your love for CS as well as leadership skills.
It really depends on how good the ECs are and the level of depth. Have you won any awards for writing at a national level ? got articles published somewhere awesome ?
attending summer programs doesn’t show that you are talented. It shows that you are rich and that your parents can afford such programs. So summer programs by themselves won’t help. HOWEVER, how you leverage the knowledge you received during those programs and implemented will CERTAINLY help. How you leverage the connections and social and professional networks you made during those times will CERTAINLY make a difference. So keep studying and be passionate !!
That’s the thing, I’m not rich–I receive full rides at these places. The only awards I’ve won sadly is an honorable mention for state but I have revived our school magazine and I lead it and put a lot of work into bringing it back to what it was 20, 30, 40 years ago.
I’ve also been tapped by TSU to submit my poems and short stories to be published amongst other published writers and to write some pieces for them, is that good?
The advantage of having creative writing as your potential “spike” is that you have an opportunity in your essays and perhaps a short art supplement to show your spike skill to the adcom without needing independent evidence like other spikes (sports spikes, science research spikes, chess spikes…). Most adcoms populated by university faculty will have some sense of quality creative writing. And, many of these summer creative writing programs are competitive - you don’t get accepted without a quality writing sample (although admittedly less competitive than some other national competitions showing spikiness.)
that I can emphasize in my application?