I’m aiming to make my application describe me very quickly so that the AO can describe me as the “The Oboe girl” or “the young freedom fighter” etc
- So if I have say, 6 activities I have participated in with full interest, but only have had significant feats in 3, should list only the 3 activities? Or all 6?
- Is it okay that the main activities you end up listing are quite Different from each other? Say I did
- Speller’s club & won a National competition
- Swimming & have notable awards
- Robotics Team & and have notable awards
- Debate Club & have notable awards
Is it okay to list them all anyway?
- Can my ECs be different from what I want to study? Like if I want to study computer science, and I have the awards in (2) above, should I list them all or just the science ones?
I am asking this because I’ve seen many people get rejected because they looked like a Jack of All Trades, but master of FEW. So they basically just listen EVERYTHING they participated in, even though some were minor and had no significant achievements
Since I’m leaning towards UPenn, this is what I got from their website. But still, comment your opinion.
“Moreover, extracurricular activities do not need to be tailored towards specific majors or academic paths, although for some students they might naturally align.”
You be you.
If you are a “pointy” person who is all oboe all the time, then be that.
If you like to do different things, then do that.
Colleges don’t want all pointy people, nor all well rounded people but some of both.
- I would still list all 6. Put your top 3 first.
- Yes it is fine. It is great to explore different options in HS. Even better if you accomplished something, which you did.
- List all your awards.
Colleges will see that you did well in academics while also doing all of these various things.
I am sure they want CS students that can do Robotics and also communicate about it (from your Debate activities).
I agree with bopper. I went to a session where a Stanford admissions officer stated that the current thinking that they are looking for all “pointy” students is incorrect. She said we look at all students experiences and admit both the student who has targeted EC’s and also those who have more broad based experiences. I know it doesn’t really help when your trying to figure this out. I took it as look how the EC’s describe you as a person. Don’t list those things that aren’t important to you but list those that help describe who you are.
“I’m aiming to make my application describe me very quickly so that the AO can describe me as the ‘The Oboe girl’ or ‘the young freedom fighter’ etc.”
This is all wrong, IMO. It sounds like you are trying to position yourself as someone you aren’t. Be yourself. If you have a clear focus let it shine, but don’t distort the picture.
@renaissancedad I’m not trying to sound like someone I’m not. I’m just trying to avoid looking like a jack of all trades.
@bopper @19parent thanks a lot