What can homeschoolers do for extracurricular activities?

writebrained
Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:38:12 +0000

Hi, I’m a 10th grade homeschooled student. I have been doing everything that seems necessary to prepare for college… except in the area of outside activities. My courseload is heavy, and I use mostly college level books. I’ll be taking AP classes in 11th and 12th grade. I took the SAT last June and scored 800 verbal, 660 math. But I haven’t done anything outside my house for the past year.

I’ve been very busy on my own. I love to write, and I’ve been working on a novel. I’m taking a distance learning course on writing for children, and I have several stories and poems which I am currently trying to submit to magazines and contests. I have plans to enter contests in other areas as well. I am also creating my own website, and I do quite a bit of art (mostly drawing). But my mom says that this isn’t really enough. She thinks I should get involved in some activities outside the home. She’s suggested volunteering, getting a job (perhaps over the summer in my aunt’s office), taking art classes or community college classes, and going to a summer camp.
I do see her point - I need to do something outside the house. But what will impress colleges the most? And are there other things I could try besides what my mom suggested? I don’t want to join a million things for the sake of joining; I’d rather be involved in one thing that I really cared about than ten I was doing because “they’ll look good for college”.