Extra Curricular Activities.

Applying to College
1

<p>I just finished my sophomore year. This is what my transcript looks like right now.</p>

<p>Classes (the important ones)
Algebra I Honors A
Algebra II Honors A
Geometry Honors A
College Advanced Math (like a trigonometry/before pre-calculus class) A
English I Honors A
English II Honors A
AP American Government and Politics A
Physical Science Honors A
Biology Honors A
Violin A
Theater A
ROTC (I only take this so I don’t have to take PE). A
Gifted Class (test required to be in the program) A</p>

<p>I am currently have a 4.0, and I am #1 in my class.</p>

<p>Next Year (Junior) Classes: (the important ones)
AP Language/Comp
Pre-Calculus Honors
AP Calculus AB
AP US History
AP Chemistry
Advanced Chemistry Lab
ROTC (I hate this)</p>

<p>Through my gifted program, I also plan on taking 2 classes (I have not decided which ones) at the local college.</p>

<p>EC and Awards
Mu Alpha Theta (Tutoring Coordinator) - international math club.
Octagon Club - Community Service. I am not an officer though.
Regional Literary Rally for Biology: I won 2nd place.
Drama Club
Gifted Program
THAT IS IT… I don’t have anything good. Even if I manged to get a 35+ on my ACT or a 2300+ on my SAT, I still would not be able to get into any of the REALLY good schools.
I plan on joining history bowl next year.
I will also most likely be in the National Honors Society.</p>

<p>I think that I will be able to make pretty good standardized testing scores by the time I am a senior. </p>

<p>I have no good ECs or awards. I am not a leader. I am not a follower either. I just observe. I would really like to be a leader, but my social skills are horrible. I don’t have very many friends, and I don’t have any GOOD ones at all.</p>

<p>At my school, student council is a popularity contest. I am definitely not popular by any stretch of imagination. Many of the organizations that I am apart of have officers that are elected by the students. It is always a popularity contest. </p>

<p>I have browsed this website, and I have seen so many people post about the MANY AMAZING things that they have done. I. don’t. know. what. to. do. </p>

<p>My family is poor. I can’t afford to pay very much.</p>

<p>Can someone please give me some ideas of national organizations I could join, or contests I could enter. My interests are music, film, animation, and science. I don’t have thousands of dollars to spend.</p>

2

<p>Keep in mind that out of the 3,000 or so 4-year colleges in the US EC’s are important for admission at only a small fraction. Perhaps the most selective 100 or so. You can see what factors matter in admission at schools you are considering by looking at their Common Data Set filings. Most students worry needlessly about EC’s when they’ll play only a small factor or not even be considered!</p>

<p>The question about impressive EC’s comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) I don’t buy into his underlying explanation of why they are impressive, but take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.

Regardless of what I wrote above, this is the real elephant in the room. I’m not going to say “be more sociable” because it isn’t something that you could just turn on if you only wanted. But it is still something important. Colleges aren’t filled with kids that come from some magical land. Its filled with kids like the ones around you today. Same with the adult world where you will need to find someone to hire you, will need to get along with colleagues and those working for you, will need to find a spouse. If nothing changes, the problems you face now will likely continue to dog you down the road.</p>

<p>Just ignoring the issue or hoping it gets better somehow on its own is not a good approach. And while I’m no psychologist, your mention of both academic promise and poor social skills makes me think of something on the Asperger’s spectrum. But regardless of whether it is that or something completely different, you need to reach inside yourself and summon the strength to try to do something about it. There may be counseling available thru your school or in your community that can help you improve this area of your life. Talking to your HS counselor would be a good first step.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the awesome advice and links. </p>

<p>I used to be the life of the party back in elementary and early middle school. Since then, things have happened that have made me a lot more introverted. I am not introverted by nature. I have not always been this way.</p>

<p>I am pretty sure that by the time I get to college I will be able to make friends again. </p>