How do I make my passion for photography stand out?

Answered

Hi!

Enter photography contests - a strong placement in one or more could benefit your application significantly. Particularly if it's a national or international accolade as well. However, even regional competitions are a considerable achievement to consider placing on a college application. A contest you can enter off the top of my head is the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, which I recommend you check out if you haven't already.

Just show that your photography is a craft that you really are skilled at and passionate about! As long as you demonstrate that commitment and that achievement, you'll be in good shape.

Another course of option that I recommend you take as well is get your pictures published in respectable magazines or newspapers - if you can get pictures of yours in somewhere like the New York Times, Time Magazine, Vogue, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The LA Times or The Guardian, this can offer you a huge advantage in the admissions process.

As for your course dilemma, that depends on which major you're planning on applying to and your interests. Are you planning on applying as a prospective STEM major? If yes, you can consider vex robotics and computer science but you don't necessarily need to take them both depending on what you want to major in. If you're really passionate about photography (which it seems you are,) I'd recommend opting for Advanced Photography and selecting the STEM course you're more interested in taking/is more related to your major plan.

Best.