Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kinds of activities does he LIKE to do? Whatever those are, think about how he can build on them. Can he use them to get a part-time job (teaching young kids how to do Minecraft, or whatever)? Can he use them to volunteer (playing chess with the residents at your nearby senior center)? Can he use them to develop a more public persona (building a youtube channel focused on growing better tomatoes)? Can he enter competitions? Etc.

He loves Maths and participates in competition math such as AMC 10 and AIME. Does it help? Other than that not much. Should he enroll in any specific activities in high school that can give him edge ? Thanks.

Sure that's great! He should keep up with his math interest and look for related or similar activities. For example, our high school has a math honors society that requires kids to do tutoring. Maybe he'll develop interests in robotics, or computer science. But also, he should keep an eye out for activities or clubs that help him develop a different side of him. That way on his college apps he's not merely a math kid, but maybe a math kid who enjoys baking, or juggling, or model rockets, or whatever. He doesn't need to do do a million different activities (I think the common app allows for a list of 10, and that could include a few different things in the same area). For colleges that use holistic admissions, they want to know what he will contribute to the wider school community beyond just his potential major.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kinds of activities does he LIKE to do? Whatever those are, think about how he can build on them. Can he use them to get a part-time job (teaching young kids how to do Minecraft, or whatever)? Can he use them to volunteer (playing chess with the residents at your nearby senior center)? Can he use them to develop a more public persona (building a youtube channel focused on growing better tomatoes)? Can he enter competitions? Etc.

He loves Maths and participates in competition math such as AMC 10 and AIME. Does it help? Other than that not much. Should he enroll in any specific activities in high school that can give him edge ? Thanks.

Let him pick extracurriculars he likes, he’ll enjoy and excell. Colleges will see passion and consistency.

Anonymous wrote:My son will start high school next year. He is good academically but not much into sports. What kind of activities should he do to qualify for any kind of merit or scholarship aid. Also what categories of financial aids are available for college tuition? Can someone please guide. We are immigrants and have no idea how colleges work. Also, I do not think he will qualify for low income financial aid. Please advise. Thankyou.

National merit scholarship is a good way to earn merit. Get him a math tutor, it’ll pay off in many ways, starting with PSAT and SAT scores.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kinds of activities does he LIKE to do? Whatever those are, think about how he can build on them. Can he use them to get a part-time job (teaching young kids how to do Minecraft, or whatever)? Can he use them to volunteer (playing chess with the residents at your nearby senior center)? Can he use them to develop a more public persona (building a youtube channel focused on growing better tomatoes)? Can he enter competitions? Etc.

He loves Maths and participates in competition math such as AMC 10 and AIME. Does it help? Other than that not much. Should he enroll in any specific activities in high school that can give him edge ? Thanks.

OP, strongly suggest you pivot to College Confidential with your concerns and questions. There are many more parents there with these concerns - a critical mass of sorts.

FWIW, it may be helpful to have some conversations with your son on what you understand about college admissions and factors he should probably consider. But you cannot necessarily create passion if it is not there. Ideally he will find a school that works for him and your family's budget. GL!

Anonymous wrote:What kinds of activities does he LIKE to do? Whatever those are, think about how he can build on them. Can he use them to get a part-time job (teaching young kids how to do Minecraft, or whatever)? Can he use them to volunteer (playing chess with the residents at your nearby senior center)? Can he use them to develop a more public persona (building a youtube channel focused on growing better tomatoes)? Can he enter competitions? Etc.

He loves Maths and participates in competition math such as AMC 10 and AIME. Does it help? Other than that not much. Should he enroll in any specific activities in high school that can give him edge ? Thanks.

What kinds of activities does he LIKE to do? Whatever those are, think about how he can build on them. Can he use them to get a part-time job (teaching young kids how to do Minecraft, or whatever)? Can he use them to volunteer (playing chess with the residents at your nearby senior center)? Can he use them to develop a more public persona (building a youtube channel focused on growing better tomatoes)? Can he enter competitions? Etc.