Rising Junior no extracurriculars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland based DC is a 4.0 student adding AP classes next year but has no extracurriculars. We have tried pretty much everything and nothing has stuck. She plans to apply to NHS next year. I know that will come with some volunteer time which she doesn't mind. Will it make that big of a difference to do something just for the sake of applications at this point? What kind of college selectivity should she aim for with this profile as it is?

I think you should first google all the MD state colleges at the very least. Next, please understand how to do a deep dive and research what kind of career she wants and what degree in college will get her there.

She is a 4.0 student and there was no one to guide her about what is required in the whole HS career to become a more competitive student? Unless she is a minority, first gen or from a rural area, it will be a rough road for her.

Also, please think hard about what she enjoys to do in her free time. That could very well become her EC activity. No harm in also finding something just for the sake of college application.

[Anonymous]

Case Western!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend’s daughter is like this. She is very smart with no extracurricular activities. Her mom made her do a few at school and she quit them sophomore year. It is like the mom forcing her kid to play soccer in elementary except it doesn’t work in high school.

The kids I know who were like this went to UVA. They still had some activities though like band or orchestra.

Having a time consuming activity like band or orchestra is exactly not OP. UVA kids have activities.
I think it’s fine not to have ECs- she will of course get into college. Just had to say that I’m not sure UVA is the example to use here.

[Anonymous]

She needs a good number of volunteer hours to be eligible for NHS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make some up. They don't call and verify.

Just no.
She should find a school that’s the right fit for her.

What is she doing when she’s not in school?

Mostly spending time on social media.

Can she become a sorta influencer? Pick a good topic that is not controversial - like "Conserve water", "Stop littering" "Save the pollinators" etc - conduct some cleanups, post the before and after pics or videos, and make that her thing?

Even posting something like - "easy and low cost healthy recipes for students" etc will create a narrative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Case Western!

Not so sure about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make some up. They don't call and verify.

Just no.
She should find a school that’s the right fit for her.

What is she doing when she’s not in school?

Mostly spending time on social media.

Can she become a sorta influencer? Pick a good topic that is not controversial - like "Conserve water", "Stop littering" "Save the pollinators" etc - conduct some cleanups, post the before and after pics or videos, and make that her thing?

Even posting something like - "easy and low cost healthy recipes for students" etc will create a narrative.

Have to be really motivated to do that kind of thing.

[Anonymous]

Op here, She does actually have social anxiety but has blossomed in her social life this year. She's just not a joiner and on top of that her dad and I both work so transpo on weekdays is a challenge. No sports and she played piano/ violin for a few years but didn't love it. She just spends time with us, drawing, video games sure. I always felt like she prefers be home but not in a basement dweller way. She helps around the house. We have been trying to find her a job but that has been a little job as she is open to making money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make some up. They don't call and verify.

Just no.
She should find a school that’s the right fit for her.

What is she doing when she’s not in school?

Mostly spending time on social media.

Can she become a sorta influencer? Pick a good topic that is not controversial - like "Conserve water", "Stop littering" "Save the pollinators" etc - conduct some cleanups, post the before and after pics or videos, and make that her thing?

Even posting something like - "easy and low cost healthy recipes for students" etc will create a narrative.

I did have the thought of starting some sort of dental hygiene awareness nonprofit because she thinks she wants to be a dentist.

[Anonymous]

My shy kid loves volunteering at Ronald McDonald house running activity hour. She basically does crafts with little kids - always makes her feel good about herself. Can she try that? Patent can help so she’s not alone if she’s nervous about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here, She does actually have social anxiety but has blossomed in her social life this year. She's just not a joiner and on top of that her dad and I both work so transpo on weekdays is a challenge. No sports and she played piano/ violin for a few years but didn't love it. She just spends time with us, drawing, video games sure. I always felt like she prefers be home but not in a basement dweller way. She helps around the house. We have been trying to find her a job but that has been a little job as she is open to making money.

that's all good. which schools are you/your DD thinking about? State Flagships? or 2nd/3rd tier schools?

[Anonymous]

Omg pls do not create non profit FOR her

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make some up. They don't call and verify.

Just no.
She should find a school that’s the right fit for her.

What is she doing when she’s not in school?

Mostly spending time on social media.

Can she become a sorta influencer? Pick a good topic that is not controversial - like "Conserve water", "Stop littering" "Save the pollinators" etc - conduct some cleanups, post the before and after pics or videos, and make that her thing?

Even posting something like - "easy and low cost healthy recipes for students" etc will create a narrative.

I did have the thought of starting some sort of dental hygiene awareness nonprofit because she thinks she wants to be a dentist.

She is interested in becoming a dentist, naturally she would do a shadowing with a local dental clinic. That's one. A non-profit is clique and unnecessary, but she could start a community outreach educating young kids on this topic.

[Anonymous]

Girl we know like this:

Rejected GW, Georgetown, UVA

Admitted: VT (double legacy)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make some up. They don't call and verify.

Just no.
She should find a school that’s the right fit for her.

What is she doing when she’s not in school?

Mostly spending time on social media.

Can she become a sorta influencer? Pick a good topic that is not controversial - like "Conserve water", "Stop littering" "Save the pollinators" etc - conduct some cleanups, post the before and after pics or videos, and make that her thing?

Even posting something like - "easy and low cost healthy recipes for students" etc will create a narrative.

I did have the thought of starting some sort of dental hygiene awareness nonprofit because she thinks she wants to be a dentist.

Too late and too difficult to start a non-profit. That’s just bonkers. Maybe have her find a non-profit that ALREADY does this well on either a state or national level. Add in the public policy angle (research what the government does in this area, whether it works, and how it could be more effective) and the private/corporate angle (what do different insurance companies do to promote dental hygiene as preventative care and what might be more effective?). In both cases, there’s an opportunity for her to put together some thoughts on various social media marketing campaigns that could help.

Independent projects like this are great substitutes for traditional school-based ECs. They show interest, initiative, and creativity. Great stuff for her essay!!!!

Another idea is to have her “shadow” two dentists or dental surgeons this summer. Even just for a day each.

Her summer “job” will be to observe and learn from them …and then reflect on the experience. How a dental career suits her personality and connects with her favorite classes in high school. How the shadowing experience was similar and different from what she expected. And where she wants to go from here as a result. Like, for example, is there a specific aspect of dentistry that she is now more curious about? Pediatrics? Elder care? Surgery? Cosmetic?

Also, have her do a little research about ways dentists “give back” to the community or the world. I have two older cousins who are dentists. One volunteered after 9-11 to help identify victims based on dental records. 😢 The other travels to Africa every other summer with a non-profit group that recruits volunteers to help at dental clinics. Maybe there’s something there she can reflect on in her essays, as well.

GL!