fhimas88888888

There is a book called something like, "How to win at college" - it outlines how you should spend your time in order to be most efficient. Its advice is very applicable to high school. Achieving to the level that Northstarmom described involves giving up part of one's social life - it is simply not possible to excel at such a high level AND have a strong social life. My social life certainly exists - but it's not to the extent of a few of my friends.

On this site and other sites like admission chances . com I see kids urging others to diversify - to get involved with more activities when they are extremely invovled in a few. Although this has been mentioned before in this thread, I want to stress that gaining awards in few activities is really the way to go. Let's look at this from the standpoint of Harvard:

In Harvard's viewbook or maybe it was in a tour/info session (I don't remember) they say that they accept 25% hardcore academics, 25% 'nicely lopsided' applicants, and 50% well rounded kids. The thing is, many times, if one feels like they'd fall into the 'nicely lopsided' group, and the college disagrees, they'll probably end up in the well rounded group, where they'll stand out a lot because of their great EC accomplishments. Clearly, the well rounded kids are being accepted, but the things Northstarmom indicated are great aids in getting accepted.

2PInZ

About the internship EC. Finding simply an internship would be pretty easy...but (probly a stupid question) does finding an internship in my career goal's field make a big difference?

stambliark41

"Has created and organized a major service project such as getting a Habitat house built ,raising at least $10,000 or starting a nonprofit that clearly was started by the student, not their parents"

This is listed as one of the "outstanding ECs" by Northstarmom on the first page. There have been many questions about how you document such an EC in order to get your message across to admissions, so maybe I can help.

I had an EC that fell in this category. My family adopted my sister from China two years ago and I had been doing some things to support China's orphanages (helping adopted children retain their Chinese language, sending boxes of goods to orphanages, etc.) I eventually got the idea to organize a fundraiser to raise money - a bowling event I organized raised $1,400 and a luncheon raised $1,300.

Later that year, I organized a golf tournament event that raised $11,400. This was my major EC that I stressed in my application. I gave information such as how many items were donated for our silent auction, how many golfers we had, how many dinner guests we had, how much money we raised, how many hours I put in, how many hours my student volunteers put in, etc. On top of that, I sent them our event program (which included 20+ pages that entailed our sponsors and silent auction items) as well as a front page local newspaper article that covered our event. I also discussed my attachment to China, often in the context of my fundraising endeavors, heavily in my college essays. But beyond that, and perhaps this was shown through my essays, I really cared about what I was doing.

Essentially, admissions is looking for 4 things when it comes to an EC: achievement, growth, passion, and utility. By achievement I mean the extent of an applicant's accomplishments (think national awards versus state awards). By growth I mean a past record of building on previous accomplishments (think bigger projects, leadership roles, etc.). By passion I mean the genuine desire to participate in this sort of activity long after college admissions is over. By utility I mean the value the EC adds to the university (in this respect, as colleges are foremost academic institutions, academic ECs definitely have an edge here. That's why USAMO holds more weight than, say, placing in a national eating contest).

And, as Northstarmom has stressed vehemently, having great EC's and great stats is by no means a guarantee of acceptance at any of the top programs. For example, I was accepted to Stanford but rejected by HYP. Easily I could have been rejected from all 4.

So above all, be realistic. But at the same time there is a certain pride that comes with going out of your way to do something spectacular. Whether or not a college gives your efforts the recognition they deserve, it shouldn't matter as long as you truly enjoy what you are doing.

Northstarmom

"This is listed as one of the "outstanding ECs" by Northstarmom on the first page. There have been many questions about how you document such an EC in order to get your message across to admissions..."

Ways of documenting such ECs as organizing the building of a Habitat for Humanity house:

Under the "offices held," you write a brief explanation of what you accomplished. For instance: "SGA president. Organized the raising of $50,000 to build a Habitat for Humanity House."

and/or focus your essay on how you organized that project

and/or get a supplemental recommendation from the Habitat director or ask the teacher who advised the activity to include in their recommendation information about what you did; ask your GC to provide such info in their recommendation.

Include a newspaper article about the project with your application (if the college allows such supplemental materials).

Northstarmom

"About the internship EC. Finding simply an internship would be pretty easy...but (probly a stupid question) does finding an internship in my career goal's field make a big difference?"

Probably only if you're applying to a specific technical school such as an engineering school or if you're applying to one of those combined MD/BA programs.

jimbob1225

yeah i got a well-paid internship at a local software company this summer, workin a 40 hr week...i am going to major in history...do i care, no

RSABach

so you're telling me RSI is more impressive than eagle scout? Forget it! It takes A LOT more time, effort, dedication to become eagle scout than to be accepted into the crappy MIT program...

jimbob1225

um, RSI is definitely more competitive than eagle scout, any person with determination and time/effort can get an eagle badge. but to get into RSI takes a lot of innate ability...i mean the program accepts what, 8% of its applicants? You have a better chance of getting into harvard than RSI. At RSI, you conduct research with a renowned professor...it's a little more prestigious than earning a badge. that's not to say eagle scout is something to sneeze at

WindCloudUltra

umm..."crappy" program? Are you out of your mind?

There are many, many more Eagle Scouts than RSI alum. As with "time," yes Eagle Scout may require a lot of time but does research not?

I would say it takes more talent to get into RSI as opposed to getting Eagle Scout status. This is not to say that Eagle Scouts are not talented; My friend is one and he is a bright and talented young man. But I would say there are some not so dedicated Eagle Scouts as well.

WindCloudUltra

I have a great deal of respect for those who attain Eagle Scout status by means of hard work, effort, dedication etc.

I have none for Eagle Scouts who call the RSI program "crappy."

RSABach.

well about 3% of all boy scouts become eagle scout, think about that...

Also were you a eagle scout? If you weren't you don't have any position to say that getting eagle scout is a piece of cake

Are you saying eagle scouts are crap?

Are you also saying that if someone is in RSI, than he can get into any college JUST by going to RSI?

stambliark41

"Are you also saying that if someone is in RSI, than he can get into any college JUST by going to RSI?"

Let's ignore the merits of the 2 programs for just a moment here. RSI has a 60% acceptance rate to Harvard. RSI identifies the very best in math and science. Therefore, they do a lot of the work for Harvard and other top schools. The same cannot be said for Eagle Scout.

SonataX

I had none of the extracurriculars listed by Northstarmom. My grades were less than stellar [they weren't good at all]. I am attending Yale this fall. I am not a legacy, URM, or athletic recruit.

So, take it with a grain of salt.

WindCloudUltra

I'm curious...what are your stats SonataX?

yahooo

I'm curious too