<p>Ironically enough, I've looked into what you've said (the independent study part at least). I am very interested in physics and for that reason I'm looking to take AP physics in High School (taking honors physics now). Before I settled on any high school course plan I did do a bit of outside research on the subject and did get quite far. I did find I can move much faster and retain about the same if not more information from IS but the issue is I want to take those classes (if nothing more than for the credit) and would rather not simply sit through a course full of material I mostly already know. Though it may seem like a ridiculous reason to hold myself back (it seems to me to be a ridiculous reason, at least), I decided to allot my time differently and see how I could use it and EC's undoubtedly looked like the best option.</p>
<p>I definitely don't foresee me making any huge breakthroughs in science as a sophomore in High School but I still want to see what I can do as even if I may not make any leaps, I can still get a feel for the actual process/work of research and so on.</p>
<p>I'm quite excited about physics in itself and fascinate myself about the workings of the universe. In particular (when i did a bit of independent study) I'm quite interested in the very elementary particles that compose things in the effect of quarks and bosons and so on, as well as the workings of quantum mechanics.</p>
<p>You do bring up an interesting question of if I'm actually trying to game the system or not... and sadly the answer's probably yes. Ideally I'd like to do the productive things as well as the things that gain attention (assuming that the world's twisted enough that they're not one in the same) to cover both grounds. I'd dislike the prospect of being productive and getting no recognition as much as I dislike the prospect of doing things simply for the recognition (and I assure you, I do).</p>
<p>So I suppose I am looking for something to look good but I can also feel good about doing (in that it ties into my interests). Though I can make certain to mach the time I "waste" in that regard with the same amount of time advancing myself... in the future.</p>
<p>So I'm at a loss of where to look for something like that though. That is, where to look for opportunities to pursue research at this level, as mediocre as it may be.</p>
<p>"sses (if nothing more than for the credit) and would rather not simply sit through a course full of material I mostly already know. Though it may seem like a ridiculous reason to hold myself back (it seems to me to be a ridiculous reason, at least), I decided to allot my time differently and see how I could use it and EC's undoubtedly looked like the best option."</p>
<p>If you're already a bright person who can handle yourself reading books on your own to an extent, I see all the more reason that you don't let the "ridiculous" reasons [as you yourself call them] get in your way. My EC in high school WAS reading math books. It doesn't help you get into Stanford or Yale or something so much, but it's such a crapshoot getting into places like that, and I would say if you're as interested in physics as you are, just spend the time reading about it. Maybe try to take courses in physics at a community college instead, if you run out of material. Or forget about that, and try to set up independent study stuff formally with your school. </p>
<p>I understand and respect if you're trying to game the system to an extent though...it is a legitimate goal to get into good schools even if you have to do things you don't like. But I personally feel if you're really an intellectual at heart, and already know you like reading physics, looking around for EC's that'll get you into Yale, when it's already a crapshoot, ain't necessarily the best way to spend your time. I respect, though, that you may still want to try your luck with EC's. </p>
<p>I genuinely struggled with your question some years ago, and hope my conclusion makes some sense to you.</p>
<p>I had a good option -- Berkeley is known for taking CA students with good scores very surely, and it has the academic resources for a math student to succeed in the severest way. I'm sure same in physics. If my only good school options were Stanford or MIT, I'd be much more frightened about EC's. I think I'd have lost something big if I'd not spent my time the way I did, and tried to do EC's I didn't like...I probably would have gotten rejected by Stanford and MIT [like I did] anyway, and would've wasted my time.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I'm intently looking at Berkley myself. But OOS admissions are insane so I really am feeling pressure. I really don't see myself going to any top tier school without the help of this "EC" section that seems to be a universally looked upon section as much as, say, SATs. If nothing else, I hope to get the useless crap out of the way, let colleges see what they want to see so I can secure a position somewhere where I can better pursue these goals. If that means spending time doing EC's for the sake of doing EC's (though that's not how I really see it) so be it. If I can get somewhere I can succeed then I can look into more practical use of my time, but until then I'm stuck doing things for the sake of doing things. Or at least that's how I'm left looking at things.</p>
<p>I actually don't know specifically what school I want to get into most (though I'm certain Berkeley is one of them, it's the only school I've intently looked into), but whatever it may be, I'm left to assume they'll be looking for EC's and with nothing to my name, I don't see me going too far. I could spend a year or two (or all three left in high school) intently studying advancing my way into advanced concepts of science by myself, and that would be great for me now. But then I'd have little room to move up. I just see a need to build a foundation first and then I can hope to excel myself.</p>
<p>"I could spend a year or two (or all three left in high school) intently studying advancing my way into advanced concepts of science by myself, and that would be great for me now."</p>
<p>What does this mean? Science and math are oceans even the biggest geniuses in this world never even experience more than an atom of a droplet of.</p>
<p>Focus on scores and grades for Berkeley. It's STICKLER for that. Yeah I know, OOS isn't easy =\ I wish you the best, and ideally you will come to Berkeley, and we'll meet some day. It is true that getting into A good school is nontrivial, because it gives you the resources to succeed. Nevertheless, I don't think your best best bet need be EC's.</p>