<p>Starting a successful organization, winning many huge awards, or getting on TV are huge. If you don’t do any of those, what other exceptional thing could you put on your application?</p>
<p>The easiest BIG thing anyone can do is write a book, I think, not that writing a book is easy. That seems exceptional, no? It doesn’t always take years to write a good book, but it’s an impressive feat.</p>
<p>Any other “practical” ideas for amazing accomplishments?</p>
<p>enjoy what you do, that will shine through</p>
<p>I have one D who is political, the other, more fashion industry oriented- very differetnt, but they are doing what they love, and that should be enough</p>
<p>Citygirlsmom, thats great. I love parent’s who support thier childern in doing what they love.</p>
<p>My love is medicine and my mom keeps finding things to make me feel like nothing.</p>
<p>um, i’m pretty sure just writing a book will not get you into a good college on that alone. it’ll probably have to be an influential book , or at least published and given good reviews by critics. i remember reading a thread about a person who published a book teaching hschool students about starting clubs and that was used nationwide. now that’s impressive.</p>
<p>Be a good person. When a teacher says that you are one of the most impressive/sincere/honest/integrous/curious/etc individuals they have ever come across in their careers that means a lot.</p>
<p>I agree with citymom. Expose yourself from everything to anything early on, and whatever you like, just so it! Make it known that that is your passion.</p>
<p>you’ve just gotta be yourself, show them your passion.</p>
<p>Both citymom and vanessama nailed it.</p>
<p>My two kids have followed their respective Muse with our complete support.</p>
<p>My son is a classical violist (BM, summa cum laude, Hartt '07) and my daughter has her degree with high honors in animal care.</p>
<p>Both majors a bit unconventional, but they knew exactly what they wanted from an early age.</p>
<p>Both got into their first choice schools. Their backgrounds showed passion and committment in terms of employment, activities, awards and achievements in their respective areas.</p>
<p>A demonstrated dedication to your area(s) of interest will go a long way in making you exceptional.</p>
<p>c’est cela pour vous exceptionnel ??? crazy !!! Don’t you know the WOW effect ??? !!! ! </p>
<p>Wowoo is BIG , Wow is awesome, Wow change the world , wow lead people … if you would like it wawo, just think about this simple situation : </p>
<p>if you had all the money , all the power , all the intelligence, and all the ability and skills to do what ever cross you mind… in this case what you would like to do ?? then make a plan and work hard to achieve THIS !! die , or keep trying ! </p>
<p>more practical it would be for some people : </p>
<p>be a prime minister, a president why not,
lead county people , a thousand , no, a Million of people
stop a war,
be a singer and sell 10 million cd,
create a company which goes global,
Invent something WoW,
go to the moon, no , go to mars,
help africa fight against poverty,
save the rarest peaces,
lead the united nations,
…
…</p>
<p>Look here a copy and past from Tom Peters’ book : </p>
<p>IF NO “WOW,” NO GO!
Does “it” Pop?
Does “it” Sparkle?
Does “it” make you Grin?
Is “it” … WOW?
If “it” (grand or mundane) isnʼt WOW … re-do it! Or donʼt do it!
This is … Your Day.
Not “their” day.
This Day belongs … ULTIMATELY … to You.
Not “them.”
Cubicle slaves Unite!
Technicolor Titans rejoice!
Throw off the shackles of Conformity!
Just say/shout a throaty “No!” to Non-WOW!
So …
WOW!
Now!</p>
<p>Obviously, it has to be a great book, and it wouldn’t guarantee admission. I’m not that naive. Give me some credit.</p>
<p>While advice like “Be your self” and “Be passionate” is valuable, but I’m talking about unorthodox things…Well, I guess nonconformity IS unorthodox. Hmm…</p>
<p>Yep ! Throw off the shackles of Conformity!</p>
<p>This is great advice but you could look on any forum to find the same generic answer to the extracurricular problem: “be passionate!” or “be dedicated to one thing you enjoy!” or “do what you love!” Unfortunately its a common misconception that being passionate will get you anywhere. I am ‘passionate’ about photography - I shoot three or four rolls of film a week and attend local shows and galleries. I spend alot of time on photography and would certaintly say I am passionate about it. However putting that on a college application is not going to look impressive…</p>
<p>Yes its obvious we are supposed to do what we love, develop an interest, get more indepth etc. i’ve heard that a thousand times… (its still very very crucial advice and thank you for everyone who posted it) but I hope this thread can be about “big” things people do/want to do…atleast I think that was the OP’s intentions were…</p>
<p>The problem with “amazing accomplishments” is that the reason they are amazing is because they are very difficult to do and not many people do them. Coming up with a generic list of “just do this and you will get in to the college of your choice” is silly. Most of us will not have amazing accomplishments because if we did, they wouldn’t be amazing. And most college admission committees are not necessarily looking for amazing accomplishments. They ARE looking passion and committment because that is something the you CAN demonstrate, but many people don’t.</p>
<p>I know shennie I think we are all in agreement that colleges are looking for passion and committment; I am saying that I’m sure everyone has already heard that answer a million times in their experience with CC because its pretty generic - its probably repeated about one every four posts after all! </p>
<p>I think hearing examples would be a lot more informative/helpful than hearing that colleges are looking for passion</p>
<p>NSM is an alumni interviewer for an Ivy college, and posted a list of what are considered impressive ECs a while back. Since you ask how you compare to your competition, see <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=210497[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=210497</a></p>