<p>My SAT/ACT are typical (2310/34) and my GPA is just "good" - but at my school it's impossible to get a 4.0. In relation to the kids in my school, even though my UW is 3.5 I'm still top 5% out of 1400 kids because of tough grading.</p>
<p>I'm hoping my EC's, especially in AJROTC, will really help me where my grades are somewhat lacking. Here are my "non-asian" activities:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Air Rifle - JV fish year, Varsity soph year. Placed first at three regional competitions. I love shooting, and I love my rifle. I might write an essay about my experiences being the only asian chick anywhere I went for a competition. o.o</p></li>
<li><p>Leadership - I was at top positions soph and junior year, and next year I'm going to be second-in-command of 200 cadets (First in command is always reserved for a good cadet that wants to go to West Point/ROTC. I'm neither.).</p></li>
<li><p>In a previous post, I mentioned that I was going to DC for an international JROTC academic bowl - we finished finalists, like 5th place :] I don't consider this like a typical asian activity because there was a lot about drill that we had to know.</p></li>
<li><p>I teach during weekends and throughout the entire summer at a communication class for young kids. It's something I'm really passionate about and I just love all my students. THEY'RE TOO CUTE TO HATE D: Also, I'm getting two public speaking manuals published through a university. Hope this helps in proving my passion?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So yeah, does this really help me stand out or is it just like random quirks that'll still make me fall back into the crowd?</p>
<p>(I have a lot of typical asian things too - piano, writing, NHS)</p>
<p>I think that those un-asian ECs will def help you out, although the extent to which it will help will depend on the schools you are applying to, could you give us a list o that we can better help you?</p>
<p>I think you may be overthinking things a bit in terms of some the east coast LACs (I’m thinking of Bates and Wesleyan, specifically) that still exist under the radar for many Asian and Asian American families. That’s my roundabout way of saying, “Apply!” :p</p>
<p>Hahaha okay, thanks! :] At one point I was deliberately looking at LAC’s with low asian populations and demographics from the south to boost my chances. xD</p>
<p>It’s sad how many good schools are ignored because Asian parents insist on brand-name schools, without realizing that some of them are only brand-name mainly because of sports. :/</p>
<p>I think the rifle thing will definitely stand out, and writing an essay about that is a great idea. I agree with the idea of applying to schools like Vanderbilt and Duke. It’s definitely a hook for you.</p>
<p>Dang it D: So liberal arts won’t be interested in anybody who shoots? I realize they probably don’t have a lot of JROTC kids applying there, since we’re more likely to concentrate in the South, but I was hoping that because of it I’d stand out a tad more. “Diversity” and all that.</p>
<p>I liked Duke and Vanderbilt initially - my father has numerous connections at both places - but after awhile and talking around, I realized that it’s just “not my kind of place.” Gack xD</p>
<p>hav to disagree w/ Hunt about that. No adcom is going to make that kind of political judgment about a student who takes part in a school sponsored activity. that’s crazy. Riflery would be no different than archery as far as they are concerned. Trust your initial instincts; it’s something that will make you stand out from the crowd.</p>
<p>Actual results guys - there was an issue with my app so I got denied from a lot of schools but I did manage to get into Swarthmore, SMU with yearly 26,000 scholarship, and UT Plan II, which is where I’m going. Thanks for the help :)</p>
