<p>Ok, so I dislike science. Keep this in mind as you read this.
My parents are going to force me to quit debate next year. Not because I suck: I've won two state championships AND I get pretty much straight A's (except for one A-my freshman year)
My grades are good. I got into Girls State--which my parents will let me go to. BUT, of course, there are problems. Basically, they think that because debate is so academic, that it takes away from the many other academic things I could do--like their favorite: science. They want me to enter science fairs like all their friends's kids. I will never do that. I dislike science. I've tried to do those science fairs, but my parents just end up doing it for me and I faked sickness on the day of the competition to avoid cheating complications.
Last year, I told them that I had a "study session" for the PSAT the day of the science fair.
But, in a nutshell, my parents are making me quit dancing, guitar lessons, AND my internship at the math research dep. at ASU so that I can prep for science fairs: when I've made it clear that I hate science. So, how do I make it look that I really care about my activities when I'm going to have to quit them all next year?</p>
<p>That’s tough to deal with…
Don’t officially quit them and try to go with a friend every once in a while? (at least for guitar and dance). The internship is certainly understandable. Most internships have a built-in time limit.</p>
<p>As for the science, have you considered having a guidance/college counselor talk to them about how irrational (and unfair) they’re being?</p>
<p>The tension you’re experiencing could be wonderful fodder for one of your essays…</p>
<p>my guidance counselor told them to let me “follow my dreams.” </p>
<p>my mother replied, “dreams aren’t everything. your family is worth more than anything.” </p>
<p>What was the gc supposed to do? she just said something quietly and trailed off into oblivion.</p>
<p>Your parents are hilarious</p>
<p>I would have asked how science fair competitions relate to family. ;)</p>
<p>You can turn this into a good college essay to explain why you quit activities after jr year and how it will be the last time your parents control your life choices.</p>
<p>I do alumni interviews for an Ivy, so I know, at least a little, what looks good and what doesn’t. So tell your parents this:</p>
<p>Quitting debate team after winning two state championships might raise a red flag. They might think you’ve burned out. And the math internship is a HUGE boost to any application; you’re already showing that you can do research/study at the college level. Whatever you do, don’t quit that. Dancing/music lessons demonstrate breadth in your interests; universities love well-rounded individuals who have talents for the arts as well as the more academic subjects. You might want to quit one, but NOT both.</p>
<p>Colleges want consistency with ECs so you can show that you have passion for these activities. Switching around only looks like resume padding.</p>
<p>In your note, you mentioned playing sick and inventing other excuses to skip the science fairs. Have you ever actually come out and told your parents that you just don’t want to do this? Have you asked them why it is so important that you compete in the science fairs? What is it that they hope to gain from you doing that?</p>
<p>What would happen if you actually stood up to them and said, “I’m going to do debate. I like debate and I am good at it and I want to win again next year. I am not going to quit my math internship because I like math, and I am good at math. I may even major in math in college. My research advisor will be one of the people to write my letters of recommendation to go to college. I am not going to do the science fairs. If you want to compete in the science fairs, go ahead without me. I have good grades in my science classes. That is enough.”</p>
<p>Will their heads explode if you tell them the truth?</p>
<p>It won’t be easy, but in the long run you owe it to yourself to be straight with them.</p>
<p>P.S. If you are dealing with crazed immigrant parents, find a guidance counselor who can communicate better than your current one. Or, pin down an adult who has experience explaining life in the US and futures in the US to immigrant parents who still don’t quite get it.</p>