Kadar20

This is a bit far fetched. How many kids have actually started their own business in high school that yielded thousands of dollars, and how many are nationally ranked in a sport? These are the absolute best of the best, and obviously they're going to get in virtually everywhere they apply simply because of the phenomenon of a 16 year old starting a business. Everyone can't be a Mark Zuckerberg! (He was in college, too.)

lappelduvide

I'm seriously considering the idea of starting my own business blog or something to make myself look less like a newbie on my transcript.

GAH.

NasirVan

When youdo extracurriculars you should really focus on only what you are interested in. It is said that you should be well rounded but there is a right and wrong way to do it.

Were I'am from there is a lot of antibiotic resistance within hospitals. I decided to do research on preventing antibiotic resistance with the use of copper surfaces which was very difficult at first due to the lack of resources in my region. I also wrote a business plan for a company which prevents the spread of antibiotic resistance and presented it to the major and other distinguished citizens. I placed first at the state science fair which is unheard of from the region I'm from, and I also made it to ISEF. The activitY showed how I could use an idea in different ways and that I'm focusing on an issue within my region so i think it helped. I also had a publication in public policy but that was in an internship not that independent, and of course I was also part officer of some clubs. But you should focus on sometime you are really interested in and take it to different directions.

NasirVan

YouTube - Erinn Andrews, Former Stanford Admissions Officer, Video Case Study #2

jeffisaboss

Does it look bad to join clubs junior year or will it look fine if I make noticeable contributions to them?

aaron024

I dunno if ECs are that important.

According to A is For Admission, the admission officers put 70 ~ 80% consideration to your academic abilities...

I am confused. Help me outta here..

Wendeli

ECs are only important for top notch schools who have a majority of applicants that easily fulfill and do it exceedingly well, the top 70-80% no-EC consideration. So when everyone has stellar grades and amazing SAT scores, top schools like HYP will consider your ECs and college essays more carefully.

Wendeli

Anyways my question is, has anyone tried to do the intel STS, Siemens or intel ISEF for their college EC, but failed to win an award? I'm seriously considering writing a research paper and doing independent research this summer for intel STS, but I know I won't place and I doubt I'll even be a semi-finalist. They have the submit a research paper option in a lot of colleges though and I was wondering if that would be useful. I wanted to submit an art portfolio, but seeing as I'll probably major in something science based... would it be more useful?

Purpledino

I'm thinking of doing research, if it turns out great then maybe I'll be in Intel! I'd say to just go for it!

rafafan

Are virtual internships good?

lilacphrogee

Somebody told my ECs are weak and now im freaking out. At my school being president of a club, being on a sports team, and being editor-in-chief of the yearbook is almost too much to handle. I'm super passionate about my sport and anyone that plays a club sport know how much of a time commitment it is. Yearbook too. I know for sure that almost every lunch next school year will be spent in the yearbook room since my school makes one of the biggest yearbooks in the country. If I focus on my sport, my club, and yearbook, will I be ok?

limabeans01

Why not just focus on doing one of those really well? Your EC's are great for a "regular student". This is far more than the average kid does! If you're trying to stand out among super competative students then you need to do one of these things really well. Quit trying so hard to be what colleges are looking for and follow your passions. There is no formula forgetting into a top school so why waste your time trying to do too much? Doing what you love is your best bet, and if you don't get into your "dream school" there is nothing lost.

Episteme

If I start a club and run it for all four years while putting a lot of effort into its success, is this a good EC?

galgal27

A college admissions counselor told me a really good analogy for what makes a good EC resume. You start with something that you're passionate about and keep building on it more and more, just as you would stack scoops of ice cream on a cone. Its better to have one huge ice cream cone than a bunch of small ones. In other words, don't sign up for a bunch of meaningless clubs that you have no interest in. Find a passion and just keep building on it. You'll be surprised about how much you can do if you truly love what you're doing.

metrocard

dayummit- it'd probably sound less ...awkward if you put "gay rights" and highlight it in an essay.