I'm on my way to editing final drafts. But I am stuck! Do I write about sports, that I coach and started a club in my school, Or write about my independent medical research/study? I am trying to answer the "write about an extracurricular" prompt on Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt. I would appreciate it a lot if someone could advise me.
I would suggest that you write about the sports club that you started. I think that for schools like JHU and Vanderbilt, tons of students will have written independent research study. Also, it would be difficult to relate the research study to you in a personal way. I believe that you should rather use the additional information section to describe the study.
The sport would, a) seem unique to many of the other applicants applying, and b) would be easier to connect to some of your personal qualities/characteristics that you would want to highlight. It would also be a more interesting essay to read if you could maybe provide an anecdote or something
I would write about whatever is most unique or what you believe you could describe in the best way. Which do you believe influenced you more and related to your college more? Which is the most accurate portrayal of you?
I think that it really depends on what activity speaks to you more, and you would have a better essay to write about. I would recommend doing the independent medical research, if you've done enough of it, because you can easily segue that into what you will do at Johns Hopkins/Vanderbilt.
Write about your medical research study. I think that for a school like Vanderbilt that would help the most.
To keep this community safe and supportive:
I introduced/presented the research idea and I am mainly conducting it. I am also writing the paper, however, it is in progress but I could provide an abstract. On the other hand, I love the sport and it is not common in schools, so I introduced it, started a club and I'm coaching it. That's why I'm not sure :)