<p>I am a sophomore in high school and my ECs are as follows:</p>
<p>Band: Jazz, first chair :: Marching, drum major :: Concert</p>
<p>Academic team: Captain, 2 years so far (2nd last year)</p>
<p>Tae Kwon Do: Red belt thus far</p>
<p>Will join Golf Club for the next two years (Can't wait!)</p>
<p>Member: Elected to 5 member class council, class treasurer, also Homeroom Representative</p>
<p>President: Astronomy Club</p>
<p>Last Summer: Junior Statesman Summer School at Princeton (took Comp. Gov and Speech Comm.) This summer, I plan to take Constitutional Law at Georgetown</p>
<p>Also went to a Drum Major Academy last summer.</p>
<p>Maintain straight A's with most rigorous curriculum (spelling?) available. I'd assume at least top 5% of class.</p>
<p>I am going to intern at my local congressmans office this summer, which will account for the vast majority of my community service.</p>
<p>Ok, offer any advice on weaknesses, strengths, most important ECs and least important Ecs, etc. to build a college resume for top schools anywhere from NYU/ Boston U to Yale/ Princeton.</p>
<p>Don't try to "build" your resume, do what you like.
And...at my school, NOT doing Tae Kwon Do is uncommon for some reason...I guess its really popular in some areas and not so much in others.</p>
<p>The only thing that stood out to me, is the astronomy club, since you're president of it already as a sophomore.</p>
<p>I think you should emphasize your music abilities, just because sometimes band requirements (at least in my school it was required to play pep band, concert band, marching band) sound like a lot more than they actually ARE. The first chair sounds good and drum major academy will help.
I'm assuming that the junior statesman school thing is one of those things that anyone can do, but always emphasize how much you grew from these experiences-- it doesn't matter how many great EC's you have- if you don't explain what you got out of them, colleges won't care at all.</p>
<p>hey Ivy<em>leauge 14
How was the junior statesmen summer school? I am thinking of doing Ap comp govt there too, so was it like insanely hard??? and was it hard to get into?
Thanks~B</em>B
P.S- about your Ecs, I think they are good and pretty diverse. I suppose it would help if you have some awards, but that is just me.</p>
<p>Junior Statesman is not one of those things you can just do. It is not too selective, but there are quite a number of kids that did not get in or were put on a waiting list. It was the most difficult and rewarding thing I have ever done. If you want to know what the month was like, it consisted of 6 day weeks, staying up to at least 1:30 to 3 AM every night, and waking up the next day ready for a rigorous class.</p>
<p>Some of the coolest people I have ever met, I met there. One of my friends who was in my dorm just got into Harvard too... So good luck getting in and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Yeah, I am doing my application right now. I am in 10th grade and I am taking AP U.S. this year along with AP Art History. I am doing ok in the class. I read their website and brochure, it sounds like a exciting opportunity. They say they only look at your social studies and English grade, so I think I will be fine considering they are my strongest subjects. I think I will have a decent application and a good recommandation from my U.S. teacher. Can you tell me your stats for your application?
The only part I am really worry about is the money. $3750 is a awfully a lot of money, or at least for my family. I read their fundraising guide, and I just dont know how effective it really is in the real world. How did you get the money? Also, I am kind nervous about the "10-12 " page term paper, I never did a history paper that long before...
And how did you do in the summer school?
I am so sorry that I asked so many questions..I guess I am just over-obessive...Thank You for all your help, I really appeciate it.</p>
<p>Haha you sound exactly as I did last year. </p>
<p>My stats were pretty good. I was only leaving my freshman year though, which was about a year younger than most people who went. Make sure you emphasize interest in history and english and write an essay that shows such. If you have leadership, service and academics, you will be fine.</p>
<p>Yes, the money is a challenge for everyone. Although it is a lot of money, you will most likely get at least a few hundred dollars if not more in financial aid. When it came to fundraising last year, I raised about 1200 dollars and spent 500 dollars of my own money. I found my neighbors were the most supportive (giving about 100 dollars each!) Make sure you utilize your relatives as much as possible. Local businesses will support you, but not as much as one would hope. I think I got about 200 dollars from over 10 businesses I visited. The key to findraising is being creative! If you play an instrument, maybe play outside of a local store for money or work for your neighbors in return for donations. </p>
<p>Yeah, the illustrious "10-12 page paper"... Mine was entitled "Indonesia: A Transition to Democracy". I remember it took me probably a good 20 hours to research and write the entire thing. Even if you have doubts about your ability, realize that you will be among hundreds of kids your age facing the same expectations. Keep in mind I did not watch any television the entire month, so you will be quite busy with your assignments.</p>
<p>I did fairly well at Princeton, with an "A" in the speech class and a "B" in Comparative Government. If you get a "B" or higher in your Gov't course, you are automatically accepted to a summer school of choice the following year.</p>
<p>Don't worry about asking a lot of questions-- I would have been happy to have somebody to go to last year for help too.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, ummm...I think I am lacking some leadership and service, but oh well...there is nothing I can do...does your school recognize the classes in the summer schools, like do they give you the AP credit...???Thanks again...</p>
