Im very stressed and have been about this sensitive topic

Pre-College Topics High School Cafe
1

Hey everyone, I’m currently a sophomore in high school and I just had a few questions I would like to get off of my chest. Ever since reading articles about the affirmative action policy colleges are now enabling, I couldn’t help but wonder how this might diminish or lessen my chances of getting into an elite university. For starters, I am an Asian American, however, I don’t think I fit into the “Asian” category that most colleges view us as. Notably, I come for a very low income family (around $14,000 a year and am raised by a single mom) and go to a very diverse and border line impoverish school. What I am concerned about is if one of my classmates who have similar credentials as me and fits into the race category that affirmative action aims to help apply to the same universities I plan on applying to, (Which without a doubt will occur), will the college choose them over me? At the bottom, I have listed the extracurriculars I am in and the potential classmate who I seem to be in competition with. Also, if you were a college counselor, would you think that my extracurriculars seem more random than my classmates? In other words, does my classmate’s extracurricular activities look more oriented at the fact that its pretty obvious they are planning to major in accounting in college where my activities just look random? I promise you, all the clubs I associate myself with, I truly do enjoy it. I don’t believe in the ideology where one just simply join certain clubs to get noticed in. A little side note you guys should know about me is that I plan on majoring in political science in undergrad school and going to law school afterwards. (I have been in speech and debate ever since 7th grade) The reason why I joined FBLA was because of their Business Law competition event I seem to be interested in ( I didn’t join just to be in it) Also, academically speaking, this classmate does have higher scores than me (We both get A’s; the only B I have is in math) I am very worried I might get denied from all of my dream colleges if this classmate also applies to them. Please be honest about what you think.

Me:
Speech and Debate (4 years; this year, I was promoted to treasurer)
National Art Honor Society (3 years; I plan on running for an officer position for junior year)
National Honor Society (3 years; I plan on running for an officer position for junior year)
FBLA (3 years; Will continue to serve as the president of the chapter until I graduate)
Golf (Planning on joining)
Class Officers (4 years; Running for class president again)
*I plan on attending debate camp this summer, also, I will be trying to intern for a criminal justice law firm if there are any near my location.

Classmate:
FBLA (3 years; they are the secretary for the chapter)
Baseball (3 years; I know that they just joined this year)
National Art Honor Society (3 years; I think they might run for an officer position also)
National Honor Society (3 years; might run for positions)
UIL Accounting (3 years; Don’t think they have officer positions)
Class Officers (4 years; Was the treasurer, I think they might run for president also)

  • Volunteers at the food shelter during the summer
2

It’s not a case of you vs a classmate.

It’s you vs thousands of other applicants, with a wide variety of skills and interests, vying for thousands of seats at thousands of colleges.

And colleges are huge on diversity.

I guess my point is this: don’t worry about the competition. Work on learning and doing the things you love the most. That way, you’ll find and be accepted to a college where you’re a good fit.

3

Pick a couple of target colleges and learn at what they say they look for. The higher the college tier, the more they can look for the level of your thinking, the sorts of challenges you take on and the good you do. And that’s not just rolling down the hs halls from one club to another. If you’re interested in poli sci, go volunteer on a campaign, experience it, or for a community organization. Expand your thinking.

4

They may well admit both of you, or neither. You’re not in competition with your classmate but with thousand other students.
BTW, look into Questbridge for the junior summer program.

5

Agreeing with the above poster who pointed out that volunteering for a political campaign or for a voter registration effort would be a perfect EC this year for a potential poli sci major. Your obsession with your classmate is creepy. You are completing with so many other people for entry into selective colleges, including other Asians. Also, you don’t need to be an officer in every club you are in. We have all heard of clubs with 10 members where 8 of the 10 are officers of some sort. Nothing wrong with being an active, enthusiastic participant!