Is FTC (First Tech Challenge) worth the time?

DavidProbably
Sat, 11 Jan 2020 19:00:03 +0000

Hello, I am a sophomore international student (don’t think this matters) looking to get into a top school like MIT.
I am facing a difficulty right know regarding my extracurricular portfolio. I am the one of the most competitive high schools in my country and my gpa is in top 10% (probably, my school doesn’t provide rankings). Right now I am working on a number of more unique activities that I really enjoy doing and that I think can really make me stand out, including: working on launching an AI and machine learning startup, Independent research ( aerospace engineering and quantum computing) and participating in math Olympiad. I am also looking forward to applying to MIT’s RSI program next year.
I have the opportunity to participate in my school’s FTC club, but honestly I don’t really like this competition, neither on the engineering side nor on the programming side ( I don’t like Java and they use it a lot - I am more of a python-c++ guy). The only reason that makes me want to get in is that they MAY go in some interesting competitions, outside of my country ( nothing too big or exciting) and I think that may look good in my resume. Should I fallow the advice of dropping this activity ( as cal Newport said in his book - that this may just consume my time and won’t make me different) or should I try it?