Conflict with my ECs and intended major

Applying to College
1

I wanted to major in a science-related field and eventually attend medical school. Normally STEM candidates to selective schools tend to perform well in high-ranked STEM competitions.

I have a couple international awards: One in volunteer service from a health organization and one for being a semifinalist in a STEM challenge (however, both of these feats aren’t extremely competitive and have been attained by nearly 200 students worldwide)
I have two very prestigious awards at the national level in the “Arts” field and my prestigious STEM awards have only been achieved at the state level/regional level.

Most international Indian applicants wanting to pursue a STEM major excel in extremely competitive international STEM comps and place like in the top 50 or top 10.
Sure, I have decent STEM awards, but my stand-out awards have only been attained in the field of visual arts.

How do I tie in my national competitiveness in art in my application, especially since I want to pursue a STEM major? Should I consider minoring in it? Will it be fine to show strong “Visual Art” awards in my application even if I want to pursue a STEM major?

2

You need to understand that not every EC that you have need to have an “obvious” connection with your major. I say obvious because you need to explain the connection in your essays. For instance, you love music but you want to major in math. You can connect music and math by explaining to the mathematical side of math and how you perceive it. So, come up with an essay theme that connects the side of your visual art with your STEM side. If you do this correctly and passionately I’m sure that college will accept you. One of my friends got accepted to MIT by doing this.

3

Also you can pick schools to apply to where you can continue to make contributions in the arts and where that is valued.

4

@Alithesword and @momofsenior1 thank you for the advice!

5

lol typed “mathematical side of math” instead of music but you get the point

6

not every school makes you apply into a major…maybe you won’t have as great a chance at MIT or Georgia Tech, so just focus on schools where you apply to get in and choose major later (which is prob most schools).

7

no issue here

8

@joecollege44 and @rexbert12 ? Thanks!