let me tell you!

are your extracurriculars weak?

if you have seen the phrase “weak ec’s” thrown around before, it can be a bit confusing. it’s hard to tell if it is just someone internet trolling, or if they actually mean your extracurriculars don’t meet college standards. regardless, the type of extracurricular you participate in doesn’t make it “weak”. what matters most is what you did, leadership roles you took, and what you gained from it.

what really is the importance of extracurricular activities?

colleges use extracurriculars as an insight to the type of person they are considering for admissions. your extracurricular activities are a direct reflection on your interests and who you are as a person. during admissions, colleges have to make a judgement call on students that will fit best in their institution, and extracurricular activities reflect the commitment, responsibility, and individuality of a student.

are certain extracurriculars valued over others?

i would be lying if i said that all extracurriculars are of equal value in regards to college admissions. some really do hold more value than others. it’s not so much the activity itself that is of importance, but what you did in the activity. colleges are looking at what you put into the activity, leadership positions you took, awards, initiative, commitment, and most importantly, what you gained from it. participating in an extracurricular means nothing if you don’t care for what you’re doing, so choose something that will mean something! i know i sound like  broken record, but i cannot stress this enough.

an example of healthy, well-rounded extracurriculars for students:

senior student a: 3 years of varsity soccer, president of creative writing club, library volunteer, 4 years in journalism

this is a good example of healthy, well-rounded extracurricular activities because student a does not have an overload of activities, but enough to reflect the student’s interests. it’s fair to assume from the extracurriculars that the student has an interest in english studies, takes initiative due to the student’s leadership role, is committed through the length of time spent dedicated to the activities, and is philanthropic due to the student’s volunteer work.

also, don’t overload yourself! never bite off more than you can chew.

you join activities because it’ something you want to do, not something you think colleges want you to do!

remember: it’s about quality not quantity!

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what are rolling admissions?

rolling admissions is a college admission policy in which colleges set up a large window of time for applicants to submit their application. admission is usually based on a first come first serve basis, so as applications roll in, universities decide if an applicant is admitted soon after they receive the application. universities will close admissions if all the spots are full or when their hard deadline comes up.

advantages:

• students are given an admission decision within 2 months of their application being submitted
• you can apply later (after “college application season”) and potentially still be admitted if there are spots available
• less stressful de to the large window to send in application

disadvantages:

• to take full advantage of rolling admissions, students should apply in the beginning of the admissions window
• there are still deadlines, just further apart
• depending on the time you apply, competition to get in the school can be very high
• spots may fill quickly, causing more qualified students to be shut out

popular schools with rolling admissions:

• pennsylvania state university—university park
• purdue university—west lafayette (in)
• university of pittsburgh
• university of minnesota—twin cities
• indiana university—bloomington
• rutgers, the state university of new jersey—new brunswick
• michigan state university
• university of tulsa (ok)
• binghamton university—suny
• stony brook university—suny
• academy of art university

the takeaway:

rolling admissions can be a blessing and a curse. if used properly, rolling admissions can give applicants the upper hand in being admitted and receiving their admissions decision quickly. it can also save students who decide to apply to college last minute. be careful when applying to schools with rolling admissions, the later you apply, the higher risk you can be rejected due to limited space as well as a longer wait time to receive your admission decision due to an increase of applications to review.

good luck as your admission decisions roll in!

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throughout my junior year and the summer leading up to my senior year, i was flooded with advice on my senior year of high school. the most common advice that was given to me was to cherish every moment of my senior year, because it would be over sooner than expected. so that’s what i have been doing. i have been cherishing my last moments with my peers and taking in the last of my high school journey.

i was walking down an empty hall during class one day when it hit me. i was flooded with memories from the past three years of high school in that corridor. it was much more than reminiscing; i was emotional at the thought of all my memories. the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia momentarily consumed me.

as my senior year progresses, i get moments like this more often. i am becoming much more sentimental about my high school experience. it makes me both happy and sad. the memories are ones i hold dear to me and are moments of happiness in my life. the tinge of sadness comes from the fact that i am leaving it behind. it is almost as if i am losing it in a small way. i wasn’t warned about the nostalgia. i was never prepared for it, but i am sure i can’t be the only one.

how i handle the nostalgia:

1. let it pass

i don’t try to ignore it or push the feeling aside. i think it’s somewhat comforting to feel nostalgic, especially since i do not have much time left in high school.

2. continue making memories

just because you have created great memories throughout your high school career doesn’t mean you have to stop now! being nostalgic can be nice, but you still have time to create more memories (and be even more nostalgic later).

3.focus on the now

if you don’t like the feeling of nostalgia, try to focus on the present and future. there are always things to do now and there are always better times to come in the future!

takeaway:

senior year can be emotionally difficult, but always make the most out of it! take things one step at a time as they come. nostalgia can be a strange emotion to deal with because of how bittersweet it is, but getting a handle on it is easy! good luck and enjoy your senior year!

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pros:

• insight into different career options
• networking opportunities
• hands on experience in a professional setting
• strengthen college applications
• build your resume

cons:

• time consuming
  • many internships require 8-15 hours of work a week, so if you are strapped with extra-curriculars you may not have the time.
• you’re the “bottom of the food chain”
• can be very competitive

my experience:

“on the second day as a youth intern at eden medical center, i sleepily entered the hospital in the late afternoon for my shift. as i sat behind the nurses station, waiting for the nurse i was to shadow that day, i watched a scene unfold that seemed to be out of a soap opera. i was jolted up to the hysterical screams of a family member of a patient in the room in front of me. my senses were overwhelmed with flashing blue lights, doctors yelling over frantic screams of family members, and the blaring ‘alert: code blue in room x’ alarm on repeat.   i sat helplessly behind a desk as everyone around me worked to save the dying patient in front of me. as the staff left the room, i made eye contact with a doctor as he strode away.

‘that family member was a bit loud’ he teased.

i sat quietly, speechless as to what i just witnessed.”

this anecdote is an excerpt from one of my personal statements that i used for my college applications. i have been able to use the experiences from my internships in many ways, such as demonstrating who i am in my personal statements.

i started my first internship at apilo (asian pacific islander legal outreach) the summer before my junior year and my second internship at eden medical center during the summer before my senior year. my internship at apilo is yearlong, while my internship at the hospital is only during the summer. i could write a novel about how both these internships have changed my life in ways i could never imagine, but i’ll keep it short and sweet for you guys!

both internships have provided me with invaluable experience and memories that i wouldn’t give up for the world. while high school has given me a traditional education, the skills you learn while interning is something that is hard to find in a high school setting. these internships have given me a real world view on what it’s like to hold a professional job.

the takeaway:

interning provides you with experience that is difficult to gain in any other settings. interning in high school can give you an upper hand in college admissions as well as life skills. i highly recommend interning if you have the opportunity!

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ted talks is a great source for motivation, guidance and overall knowledge. with thousands of talks covering almost any topic imaginable, there is a talk for anyone. so, what is ted talks?

“ted is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). ted began in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. meanwhile, independently run tedx events help share ideas in communities around the world.”

half the school year has gone by and sinking into a slump is easy. if you are a student, i highly recommend watching these 3 talks. they are not only motivational, but inspirational as well.

vik nithy: why we procrastinate

i am guilty of procrastinating. you are guilty of procrastinating. we are all guilty of procrastinating, but why? why do we knowingly put off our work until the last minute? vik nithy gives insight on the why humans procrastinate and how to remedy the bad habit.

sir ken robinson: life is your talents discovered

“i believe this passionately: that we don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. or rather, we get educated out if it.” if you ever have felt discouraged from pursuing an interest, than this talk is for you. our life is reflected through our talents and interests, and how we use them.

simon sinek: start with why — how great leaders inspire action

this is one of my favorite ted talks. simon sinek explains why we are attracted to certain leaders over others and what it takes to be a great leader. this ted talk can be applied to everyday life; how we interact with others, teachers and ourselves.

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think about it, you spent your whole high school career in preparation for this moment. you have studied and worked tirelessly in order to get into the school of your dreams, but now that you’ve applied, what is left to do?

1. keep up with you extracurriculars

hopefully, you love participating in your extracurriculars, so staying committed to them shouldn’t be a problem. if it is a problem, make sure you find the motivation to stay committed because colleges may check up on you later in the year to make sure you have been truthful in your applications. uc schools have been known to audit students, so make sure you are present to your extracurriculars!

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2. relax

now that you’re done with sat/act and your college apps are in, relax! go out with your friends instead of staying up late studying! enjoy your senior year and cherish the last moments of high school alongside those who have gone through this journey with you. senior year can be the most fun year of school; it is what you make of it.

3. stay on task

while you’re having fun, make sure you are maintaining your grades. it is easy to let your grades slip after college applications are in, but your acceptance can be retracted if you earn below a c in any of your classes during your senior year. all your hard work will be for nothing if you let an opportunity go due to one failed class! school is still important!

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photo by clipartpanda

pros of college tours:

• get an in-person feel of the school
• meet the community
• have any questions answered

cons of college visits:

• most information presented on tours is available on the internet
• paying travel expenses to visit the school

my experience:

i toured every school i applied to and i can honestly say i didn’t need to. before touring any campus, i did extensive research on the school i was applying to so i would be sure i actually wanted to take the time to go on the campus tour. the problem with this was once i began the tour, i felt as though i was being spoon-fed the same information that was available on the internet. while the tours were nice in order to see the actual feel and culture of a campus, i didn’t take away much from them.

takeaway:

the internet offers any information you will ever need for the schools you are interested in. along with information on academics, campus life, and other relevant information, you can also find reviews and news on the school. visiting colleges is worth it if you want a physical feel for the campus or have questions for the school. if you are simply looking for information, i suggest doing research before hand and make sure you have a serious interest in the school. this ensures that you don’t waste your time or money!

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are you committing one of the 7 deadly sins of studying?

sin 1: docile studying

this is the type of studying where you merely reread a passage. you don’t engage the material in anyway and lack focus on what you are trying to retain. you can tell if your docile studying when you try to think about what you just read, and can’t remember. try engaging the material in a more active way, such as writing it down as you read or reading out loud!

sin 2: cramming

cramming may seem like the logical thing to do before a test, but think again! spreading out studying over a longer period of time will be more effective than trying to cram large amounts of material into your mind overnight- or even worse the day of. while you may retain some information, you will not wholly learn the material. the key to retention in repetition, so try studying over a longer span of time!

sin 3: “study buddies”

studying in groups can be very effective, but studying with friends can go wrong very fast. it is easy to become distracted when studying with friends so make sure that you stay on task!

if you find yourself becoming distracted, try breaking up studying and chatting into blocks. for example, group study one section for 20 minutes and chat/break for 5!

sin 4: studying instead of sleep

this is similar to cramming, because often, we stay up late cramming. staying up late the night before an exam is a bad idea for several reasons. one, you need to be well rested the night before a test! not enough sleep can be detrimental because you may have a harder time remembering important information. two, the later you stay up, the less focused you become due to drowsiness. this will also affect your memory. bottom line- sleep!

sin 5: poor notes

when you’re studying, make sure you have well written notes and flashcards. studying wrong, complicated, and/or incomplete information will obviously prove to be useless. if you find that you are studying often but still are not passing an exam, consider revising your notes! maybe they need more detail. notes need love too!

sin 6: scattered studying

this is just randomly studying material with no rhyme or reason. adding structure to your study routine will help you focus. once you can structure what you need to study, it will be easier to break down and remember! an easy way to structure what you need to study is to visualize it. try creating a flow chart or time sequence of what you need to study.

sin 7: lying to yourself

at one point or another, we have all skipped studying all together. if we think the material is easy will tell ourselves that we don’t need to study and walk into an exam without preparation. even if you think you know the information, study and quiz yourself a bit in order to be sure! studying can never hurt, especially if you do it right! not studying, of course, can seriously hurt.

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when taking a standardized test, such as the sat or the act, many of us set a goal we would like to reach. i know when i first took the act, i set my goal score at a 23 with the national average being 21. my overall score was a 24, which was pretty exciting for me considering i surpassed my goal.

but then, the question came to my mind, “should i share my score?”.

okay, maybe those exact words didn’t immediately come to my head, but it’s a serious question we should all consider. do you put it twitter? facebook? do you tell your friends? teachers? do you tell the world or keep it private?

sharing your score may not seem like a big deal, but picture this: you’re sitting around with your friend at lunch and you casually mention your act score. you worked hard for it and you’re proud. your friend also mentions their score, which is 5 points higher than yours. all of the sudden, your hard work seems to be shadowed by this significant difference in scores.

doubts may come to your mind on your intelligence, capability, and work ethic. you may even consider taking the test again just in order to match their score. now, there is nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition. there is also nothing wrong with your friends score becoming a motivational tool for you. but, when the comparison leads to self doubt there is a problem.

score sharing (score bragging) can lead to increased stress in students. it creates an unhealthy competition between peers.

remember:

don’t share your score in order to brag or inflate your ego, and never share your score to someone in order to hurt them. by this i mean using your score as an intentional way to make them feel inferior. we are all just trying to do our best. at the end of the day, we all take these tests to reach a common goal: college! lastly, never feel pressured to share your score. whether your score is what you wanted or not, it is your choice whether to tell your friends and the world.

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1) private universities are expensive:

while it’s true that the average cost of private colleges in the us is $31,231, many students do not end up paying the full price. private universities have the opportunity to pick the cream of the crop when it comes to students, and often offer many merit grants and scholarships. private universities are privately funded and are often very generous to many students with financial aid.

2) private universities are elitist

while many private universities are considered the nation’s most elite schools, the students who go there are far from elitist. it is a common misconception that the students who attend private universities are rich legacies who buy their way in, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. students who attend large private universities earn their way in based on merit just like students in public universities.

3) private universities are just the ivy leagues

while the ivy leagues are some of the most famous private universities, they are not the only ones out there. while there are many other large-style universities, there are also small liberal arts colleges. many liberal arts colleges are private, small in class size, and offer tons of financial aid opportunities.

the takeaway

private universities are a great option when applying to colleges. many offer several financial aid opportunities to cover the large cost. also, if the idea of applying to a large school makes you wide-eyed, don’t fret! many liberal arts colleges are private, and offer the same benefits if not more!

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