7
2 years ago
Admissions Advice

What makes someone stand out
Answered

I'm a sophomore in high school who currently takes part in 4 extracurricular activities. I want to know what makes someone stand out other than grades. I really want to go to MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Caltech or UCLA. I know these aren't "realistic" considering my background(1st gen African) however I really do want to go to an Ivy league.

10th-grade
Caltech
stanford
MIT
harvard
UCLA
sophomore
7
8
🎉 First post
Let’s welcome @minyinta to the community! Remember to be kind, helpful, and supportive in your responses.

Earn karma by helping others:

1 karma for each ⬆️ upvote on your answer, and 20 karma if your answer is marked accepted.

5 answers

1
Accepted Answer
2 years ago

Like @EvelynA said, being involved in extracurriculars and clubs that you find enjoyable will help your application. Getting officer roles in those extracurricular activities or achievements in those activities will support you more than just being in them. Getting internships and work or volunteer experience and hours will also help! I'm a 1st gen Asian student so I'm also on the same boat you are so I hope this helps. Good luck!

1
2
2 years ago

Hi @minyinta, I love your passion for learning that is evident through your academic goals and wish you the best as you continue in your high school journey. I would not necessarily worry about standing out if you full-heartedly pursue the things you are passionate about and your application and essays show that. I wouldn't be in orchestra if you hate music, but if you love drawing do art clubs and write about art in application essays. Be yourself. Don't try to be the ideal UCLA student, just be 100% authentically you and that is what will make you stand out. You are correct in that grades is not all they consider, but I think following your passions is how you will create an application of ECs and experiences that stand out.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best.

2
0
2 years ago

Ultimately do things that matter to you, be involved in the extracurriculars that you do find interesting. What colleges want to see is what you are passionate about.

0
-12
2 years ago[edited]

Check this page

-12
-16
2 years ago[edited]

How far can you go before hitting rock bottom? Slope, a new arcade game from Y8 games, challenges you to roll down the slope for as long as you can without falling off the edge or hitting any obstacles along the way. Prepare for a serious speed boost as you fall downhill on the seemingly endless surface. Even if you play it a few dozen times in a row, you will have the desire to improve. Another significant advantage of the Slope Game is the new method of logging in under your own nickname and competing on the number of points with other players.

-16
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Community Guidelines

To keep this community safe and supportive:

  1. Be kind and respectful!
  2. Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
  3. Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!

How karma works