Will my lack of science-related ECs hurt me?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I love science. I really do--I'll read up on quantum physics in my free time and I memorized half of the glossary of a college-level earth science textbook (although it was pretty old--it still believed in the Richter scale). </p>

<p>However, my extracurriculars don't really reflect that. MUN, NHD, a literary magazine... All of them point towards the humanities, which I love, but aren't my main interests.</p>

<p>At my school, there aren't that many opportunities for science-related activities; our Science Bowl team is notoriously hard to get into (I tried), and Robotics isn't of particular interest to me. I couldn't do Science Olympiad because another activity of mine conflicts with Regionals, and there aren't many science clubs (Computer Science, which isn't of particular interest to me; Neuroscience, which you need a Facebook to be part of (I don't have one); and Biotech, which I'm part of, but it doesn't actually meet often and doesn't really do anything). </p>

<p>Although summer programs and internships could express interests in these topics, there are a few flaws in that logic. Number one? It's hard to get into a science program if you don't have any science-related extracurriculars. Number two? I'm too young for most internships (I turned 15, like, a day ago). Number three? Most internships are at hospitals, and I hate medicine. I hate it very, very much.</p>

<p>So, here's my question: in the long run, will my lack of STEM-related ECs hurt me? And how can I further express my interest in these topics, besides taking classes in school (I'm going to take AP Physics 1 and AP Chem next year, and AP Physics 2 and either APES or AP Bio senior year).</p>

2

<p>If you can play it up in some other manner, then I don’t see how it would. It depends on what you want to major in.</p>

<p>Maybe start your own club.</p>

3

<p>@livelaugh7 I want to start an astronomy club, but there used to be one on campus and it was dissolved because not enough people attended the meetings, so I’m not sure what the procedure is for that.</p>

4

<p>I’m assuming you want to major in a pure science or do research since you’re not interested in robotics?</p>

<p>If that’s the case, try for research internships when you’re older. Or volunteer. Or try to shadow a researcher. You have the location and the connections with your school. Take advantage of that. </p>

<p>In the end though, to be honest, I don’t think it will matter like at all. </p>

<ol>
<li>You’re a girl going into STEM, it’s a sad truth, but that gives you an advantage</li>
<li>I don’t see why humanities extracurriculars would look bad, even if you’re majoring in a pure science.</li>
</ol>