I finally found it – the ever-so-coveted field, of Astronomy, in which I feel a bottomless fervor and a certain fullness of heart. It’s not a feigned interest, not something I ever suspected that I would come to admire. But, now that I’ve reached this position as a rising senior, I feel like that I’ve missed my chance to show my passion.
What would you all recommend doing to show my interests when so little time is left before I start applying?
The only thing I’ve done notably is get an A in an Astronomy course at Harvard, but I certainly don’t think that that will convince any Ivies of my extreme interest.
Honestly, I don’t think many students have opportunities for exposure to Astronomy at the high school level. You can see if there are some clubs in your local area, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Let your passion shine through in essays and interviews. Don’t stress about trying to “show” it- it’s hard for students who have unique interests to always find ways to engage in that interest in high school, where opportunities are frequently scarce.
Good for you! I didn’t find my passion til my early 30’s when i went back to school for a 2nd degree, this time in nursing. (My first BS—aptly named—was in Human Development and Family Studies). So you have a 12 or 13 year jump on where I was. Embrace it!
You don’t need to go to an Ivy to have a successful astronomy career. If it is really astronomy you love, look at this link:
http://www.collegerank.net/amazing-college-observatories/
Look at Johns Hopkins – STSci is located there.
Is there an observatory in your area? Any way you can see if they need a volunteer to do something? Of course, note the Harvard class. I think it sounds pretty cool, personally. Do you have a telescope? Are there any astronomy magazines that accept submissions from amateurs? (I know nothing about the subject, but that might be worth a shot.) the above suggestions are good too. Good luck!
@Lindagaf Yeah! I live near a large state uni, so I think I’ll try to volunteer with an observatory. In addition to that, I’m planning to contact some astronomy professors to see if I can be a part in their respective labs.
@slaudsmom @intparent @yonceonhismouth @doschicos
Thanks to all of you! I plan to start an Astronomy club at school when we get back. Oddly enough, our school has never had one. Maybe I can get us to participate in the USAAAO this year. 
There is crowdsourced data analysis you can volunteer to do (see https://www.galaxyzoo.org/)
Are you applying to schools that require you to declare your major?
@VickiSoCal No, not any schools that require to declare my major.
@mathyone I made an account – very interesting!
Okay not everyone who gets into an Ivy League school has an extreme passion for the thing they eventually major in while they are in high school.
I think it’s a commonly held myth that you have to display some long history of “passion” in a specific field, pretending as if you had it all figured out from age 13 exactly what you wanted to do.
Nobody expects that! Not even elite universities.
Just continue being a great student, and if you want seek out opportunities to learn more about astronomy now. If there’s a museum or a science center nearby you, see if you can get involved and volunteer!
And if you decide 6 months from now that your passion is actually something else, don’t panic. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out right now.
There are a lot of colleges you can attend that have planetariums, aerospace or engineering programs, meteorology. Look beyond the Ivies if it is your passion. Even the directional university in the small town I grew up in had a planetarium.
No, you are not too late. I would go as far to say that even most undergraduate college students have yet to find their passion (and yes, that includes undergrads at top universities). Taking time to find your passion does N’OT necessarily mean that you are unfocused.