<p>Hi, I’m a sophmore and I have a quick question.
I currently attend Japanese school every Saturday from 8:45-3:30 (its like a normal school day we learn math, science, social studies and, language arts). And I have been doing a lot of thinking…what would Harvard think of this? Would they look at it as a “normal” extra curricular activity?
Because I have been doing some thinking and I am sorta wondering if its worth the trouble of going to Japanese school while being a Full IB student… Because if I continue Japanese school then I cant do as much OTHER extra curricular activity as I want to…so which is better ditch Japanese school for more school involvement or stay at Japanese school?
Thanks!</p>
<p>While I’m not 100% sure, I’m sure Harvard gets numerous applications from asian students enrolled in Japanese or Chinese school… so I’m not sure that it would stand out all that much.</p>
<p>But I could be wrong.</p>
<p>I can second that. It won’t hold any significant weight in Harvard admissions. However, if you love it, keep it on and put it on your transcript.</p>
<p>Harvard doesn’t care what you’re doing with your extracurricular time – they care that you’re devoted to it and that you do it very well. So if you would prefer to play varsity soccer or tutor middle schoolers on Saturdays, and you’re going to do that with enthusiasm and skill, then I don’t think you need to hang on to Japanese school for Harvard’s sake.</p>
<p>thanks…well the thing is all my other friends who go to Chinese school they are planning to quit. And I have been doing a lot of thinking about that. By the way Chinese school is only half a day…Japanese school is a full day…the Japanese school I go to is also backed by the Japanese education system too…I just completed Jr. High, I wont be able to graduate high school because I finish school (American school) a year early…school in Japan starts in April, I was born in July. </p>
<p>Thanks for the reply!
But that still didnt answer my question…
Should I still continue? Cause if I do then the only “free day” I have is Sunday…</p>
<p>Btw I am not continuing Japanese school for Harvard’s sake…I plan on to going to med school in Japan (the one my grandfather graduated from) when I graduate med school here in America… so I am planning to continue Japanese school for myself…not for Harvard</p>
<p>haha… I think that’s a decision you should make for yourself. I, for one, think it’s a perfectly reasonable idea to budget your time so you have time for both… but then again, for you that might not work.</p>
<p>I would say don’t quit something you care about just for Harvard… but it’s something you should decide on your own.</p>
<p>I go to school on Saturday for about 12 hours, and colleges love the kids in this school. It shows you’re serious and willing to do some learning on Saturdays. I like it, though. If you like it, keep it up. If not, give it up. Don’t be a follower of your Chinese friends, though, “just because.”</p>
<p>what kind of school do u go to Jono…is it just extra classes?
I mean I like it…well yeah I guess I mean I have been going to Japanese school since 2nd grade and I am part of the ASB.
btw thanks for all the posts everyone!</p>
<p>If you enjoy it, you should do it. Also, I don’t know very many extracurricular activities that take place on Saturday morning and afternoon, in my school/town, at least. And if you’re talking about more time for doing homework, working, practicing an instrument, etc., I know that realistically, I wouldn’t get any more work done if I had a free Saturday. I find that if I decide not to do something to stay home and do HW, I end up not doing it anyway, so I keep my schedule as full as possible.</p>
<p>well in my school we have a few ec activties…but me going to Japanese school also means not a free Friday night either…well I just have to be home by 9 and be done with my hw before i leave the house…but I DO love Japanese school…well maybe not LOVE it but I do enjoy going to it…I mean its hard…we study what students in Japan study in 1 week…all in 1 day…so thats quite cool isnt?
but the thing is how would harvard look at it? would they count it as an EC?</p>
<p>I think they would count it as an EC and by the sound of it it sounds like a great EC at that. It’s an EC with some substance and with some time commitment. I applaud your commitment, too. I say, if you like it, keep it. It’s definitely something that will enhance your application. Better with it than without it because you can still find time for other ECs during the week and on Sundays and stuff like that. I do a lot of music on Saturdays.</p>