Which EC to discuss in detail?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m filling out the common application right now for Stanford SCEA, Northwestern, Boston U, Rice, UChicago, WUSTL, and Duke. I’d really love to get in as a Biology/BiologicalScience/Premed Major for most of these schools. When we get to the 150 words to describe a single extracurricular that we are doing, I hit a small problem. I have two extracurricalars which really pop for me. Which one should I use?</p>

<li><p>Volunteer work at local Sikh Temple (2500 Hours) - I have been doing this EC for almost 4 years on a regular basis and I absolutely love it. I’m extremely involved at the local temple and have strong feelings and dedication for this EC - I put in almost 20 hours a week for the extracurricular and I feel that my dedication goes a long way in this EC. </p></li>
<li><p>UCSF Biomedical Health Science Internship (450 Hours) - I’m doing an internship this summer at UCSF doing research on CT scans of patients who have stroke related symptoms. My attending doctor/mentor is the best in this branch and publishes the most papers at this university. I really love this branch of study and am really fascinated by this type of research. By the end of this internship, I should have co-authored a paper which should show up in a major neuroradiological journal. This paper could, however, take some time to actually be published.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>My question to you is, which should I go for if I can write about both experiences equally, given the time for the first EC given and the result for the second (publishing)?</p>

<p>ALSO, I’m applying for a series of Ba/MD programs (NU, Rice, UCSD). It would easily be the best decision to go with the internship for that description, right?</p>

2

<p>I would elaborate on the first one. It seems “nicer” and more attractive to the eyes than an internship. It shows much dedication and passion, which is what colleges want. Not saying the internship is anything to overlook. IN fact, I would mention it in addition info section, but the community service is a better choice to me.</p>

3

<p>I would pick the second because 1) it’s related to the field you want to major in and 2) you’ll have co-authored a paper.</p>

4

<p>Score: 1-1</p>

<p>Others?</p>

5

<p>^^ Yes, but it does not matter what he wants to major in because he will only be an underclassman. Also, the paper, possibly, will not be published in time, so it has little importance.</p>

6

<p>i’d say go for the first one as it really sets you apart in a nice way from most of the other candidates. I mean not many would’ve spent that much time on a community service. imo relatively more ppl would’ve done something similar to your 2nd activity.</p>

7

<p>i’d say go for the first one as it really sets you apart in a nice way from most of the other candidates. I mean not many would’ve spent that much time on a community service. imo relatively more ppl would’ve done something similar to your 2nd activity.</p>

<p>Completely agreed.</p>

8

<p>So do you think I should do the first one on the EC part if I don’t get anything published or if I get published in time, I should go with the 2nd? And also include the other extracurric (whichever it ends up being) in the extra info section?</p>

<p>Does this also apply to the BA/MD programs?</p>

9

<p>What is your personal essay about? If your personal essay mentions 1., then you could devote your EC question to 2., and you’d be able to squeeze both aspects of your life in.</p>

10

<p>I’m still deciding on my personal essay. I’ve been told by many that it shouldn’t be on anything related to EC. I’m not really sure how much to believe that though.</p>

11

<p>The main topic may or may not be an EC specifically, but referencing or alluding to ECs is practically a must for a good essay because it ties the different parts of your application together.</p>

12

<p>This thread illustrates why I don’t like the Common App. When applying to Chicago & Stanford, I would use EC #2. When applying to Northwestern, I would select EC #1. </p>

<p>Can you not use 75 words on each, even comparing/contrasting? (“Although ____ satisfies my intellectual passion, it’s ________which is the most emotionally satisfying to me of all my activities” Etc.)</p>

13

<p>Such is life, so what do you suggest I do?</p>

14

<p>it wont matter which one you choose for the BA/MD programs. the ba/md app is totally separate, and the regular app is just to get in the undergraduate school itself.</p>

<p>moreover i wouldnt want to even articulate a med EC on my normal app. when i did my ba/md apps, i didnt like it when i had to talk about an activity that i already talked about on my regular app. you have a choice to talk about many great ECs, so just stick with the temple volunteering for your common app EC essay.</p>

15

<p>As impressive as it is, I have a feeling you could list the key facts of #2 on some kind of list, in short form, and get it all across to the reader with terse phrases.</p>

<p>The large commitment to the Temple might be more engaging to read. It’s personal. If you think otherwise and prefer to write about the research, that’s good but be sure to quantify the Temple service , eg “2500 hours” rlsewhere on a list, so the reader registers it’s very important to you. </p>

<p>If the rest of your application just booms out loud: I’m smart, so smart! then I’d go for the Temple description to show your human side. I would like to know and imagine you as a a person. </p>

<p>But if the rest of your ap booms out, “my stats are shakey…” then you can write convincingly about the research if you feel you need it to really show you are academically minded. I have a feeling your stats are great already, and if so, I’d say: write about the more personal temple activity as a balance. </p>

<p>In other words, if you list the research in short bullet point form somewhere, it says all there is to say about it. Not so with the temple service; if you can express that well, it makes you more 3-dimensional, and shows you could contribute to campus life because you care about your community. Maybe that’s only what people do for LAC’s – my 3 all went to smaller places than you are considering. So take my advice from that perspective. </p>

<p>It’s more about which one you can write about with great passion, warmth, and enthusiasm. JMO</p>

<p>Another way to figure it out: if you could weave one of those into your larger personal essay, and mention it as an example of some point you’re making there, then you don’t need it for your short answer. </p>

<p>Point is: try to find a place for both subjects somewhere in the ap. One can be in this short form EC paragraph, but then use the other somewhere else: at least on a list, and if possible, within a larger essay. </p>

<p>Don’t write this late at night, either, or you’ll start to ramble as I am doing. G’nite.</p>

16

<p>Okay, I think that the Sewa at the Gurudwara speaks MUCH more about who you are, your dedication and beliefs and sounds FAR FAR FAR more impressive to me! Never thought about putting that in my App… haha… Great Idea! :)</p>

<p>And stockguru, I’m just borrowing your thread for a small question… I have a few research papers too… Just don’t know where to get them published, as in, most of the journals online seem to be too pro (PhD level!!!- American Journal of Physics, European Journals etc. etc.) Could ANYONE suggest some journals (for Non-modern Physics)? And also, how long does it usually take for articles to get rejected/ printed? Thanks in advance, guys! :)</p>

17

<p>GPA:
Unweighted: 3.79
Weighted: 4.2</p>

<p>SAT/PSAT/ACT Scores:
SAT I: 2250 (710 CR, 770 M, 770 W)
SAT II: 800 Math IIC, 800 Biology E, 760 USH
Will Take: Chemistry (projected 800)
ACT: 35
Will Send Both ACT and SAT</p>

<p>Taking Next (Senior Year):
AP Calculus BC
AP English Literature
AP Government
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Statistics</p>

<p>For Extracurriculars, I’m trying to avoid a laundry list.
Extracurricular Activities/Work Experience:
Neuroradiology Research at UCSF - will be published at least once
Gastroenterology Job Shadowing - 120 Hours
2500 Hours Volunteering at Sikh Temple (extremely involved and possibly an essay topic)
Worked at parent’s small business sophomore summer
200 Hours Hospital Volunteer
Self-taught Pianist (sadly, no Certificate of Merit)
College Club President</p>

<p>Awards/Recognition:
San Joaquin Valley Champion Public Forum Debate
First Place Biomedical Debate State HOSA Competition
Finalist Biomedical Debate National HOSA Competition
Ranked #56 International Issues Extemporaneous Speech Nationally
California Scholarship Foundation Member
National Honors Society Member</p>

<p>Those are the stats. I’m taking the hardest courseload possible at my school. Considering that, what do you think I should go with - I’m not sure whether or not I’m shakey on the academic side.</p>

18

<p>I think, if you have the time, you could try writing a couple of paragraphs out of a possible essay for each one. See which one reads better, which one tells more about YOU as a person, not only as an applicant, and which one shows your passion more.</p>

<p>Personally, I’d go with #1, but I think it’s possible you can make #2 sound really passionate and well-written as well. I do agree, however, that #2 would be easier to sum up in a few lines.</p>

19

<p>stockguru, …if you call those stats shakey, then god help me!, i’m positively screwed!</p>

20

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<p>._. "</p>