College Advice for Younger Olympians

[daydreamer0023]

This needs to be brought back.

Should I include event supervising experience for Activities on the Common App? Should I separate different parts of Science Olympiad? (e.g. competing, tournament organizing, etc.)

Since you really don't get enough space on the CommonApp to include that you might want to make it separate and do your best to differentiate it from competing(like, make it look like a completely separate activity). Colleges know that people are going to try to buff up their activities so you need to make sure they are very distinctly different so it doesn't just get brushed aside as something unimportant.

Based off of what one of my friends told me (I have not seen Common App for myself - so please feel free to clarify if this is incorrect info), there are only 10 slots for "extracurricular activities." In that case, I would put event supervising and other related stuff under a header for Scioly.

[Unome]

This needs to be brought back.

Should I include event supervising experience for Activities on the Common App? Should I separate different parts of Science Olympiad? (e.g. competing, tournament organizing, etc.)

Since you really don't get enough space on the CommonApp to include that you might want to make it separate and do your best to differentiate it from competing(like, make it look like a completely separate activity). Colleges know that people are going to try to buff up their activities so you need to make sure they are very distinctly different so it doesn't just get brushed aside as something unimportant.

Based off of what one of my friends told me (I have not seen Common App for myself - so please feel free to clarify if this is incorrect info), there are only 10 slots for "extracurricular activities." In that case, I would put event supervising and other related stuff under a header for Scioly.

There are only 10, but I have plenty of space (I've used 2).

[maxxxxx]

Since you really don't get enough space on the CommonApp to include that you might want to make it separate and do your best to differentiate it from competing(like, make it look like a completely separate activity). Colleges know that people are going to try to buff up their activities so you need to make sure they are very distinctly different so it doesn't just get brushed aside as something unimportant.

Based off of what one of my friends told me (I have not seen Common App for myself - so please feel free to clarify if this is incorrect info), there are only 10 slots for "extracurricular activities." In that case, I would put event supervising and other related stuff under a header for Scioly.

There are only 10, but I have plenty of space (I've used 2).

You get a very limited amount of characters for your description of the activity, this may not be enough for everything you want to put.

[Cheesy Pie]

I included Scioly on my Common App, and in some of my supplemental essays I went into detail about it.

And even though I decided not to go to a UC system school, I applied to 3 of them. It's really nice because it's one application for the whole system and there aren't usually any supplemental applications specific to a school, aside from UCSB's College of Creative Studies which requires an entirely separate additional application specific to your major.

Don't be afraid or ashamed if you want to attend a public/state school. Oftentimes, they still have good programs, and you have a very good chance of earning scholarships, getting into honors programs, and being able to research as an undergrad. Two years ago, I would roll my eyes at anyone who even suggested that I wouldn't go to an Ivy or a school on par with them; now I am at MSU and I love it - I have guaranteed paid research for my first two years and I'm in the honors college. Plus, I have an amazing scholarship that makes four years at MSU cheaper than one year at Carnegie Mellon or UCSB, so I have more money for grad school.

[Snarknado]

One thing I'm not sure how to deal with is how I should designate SciOly. Technically, it's a zero hour class, but I honestly think it's more of an extracurricular and I spend a considerable amount of time on it outside of school both working on devices and volunteering with Middle School. Anyone have any ideas?

[Cheesy Pie]

One thing I'm not sure how to deal with is how I should designate SciOly. Technically, it's a zero hour class, but I honestly think it's more of an extracurricular and I spend a considerable amount of time on it outside of school both working on devices and volunteering with Middle School. Anyone have any ideas?

Designate it as an extracurricular, but potentially expand upon it and go in depth in your essays.

[Froggie]

Could someone give me an overview of how this college thing works?
My parents both didn't go to college in the US so I'm kind of confused.

[Unome]

Could someone give me an overview of how this college thing works?
My parents both didn't go to college in the US so I'm kind of confused.

You apply to (pick one - a few/several/way too many) colleges, typically beginning in the fall of senior year - deadlines vary. Hopefully, you get accepted to the ones you want to go to.

[Alex-RCHS]

Could someone give me an overview of how this college thing works?
My parents both didn't go to college in the US so I'm kind of confused.

I'm not sure how much detail you want, but my school's college counseling site provides a pretty comprehensive overview. Some parts are obviously specific to my school, but there is a lot of good general info.

[maxxxxx]

I’m sure you’re used to hearing this and will probably roll your eyes, but it’s so important. College is a commitment. It’s where you lay the groundwork for your future. I’m sure the social aspect of it, as well as the free time, can sometimes be tempting, but do not brush aside your schoolwork in favor of these things. No future employer wants an employee who majored in laziness. Earn those good grades, pad your resume and show the world why they should love you as much as I do.

Your future employers absolutely care about much more than just grades, in fact besides for applying to graduate or professional school, no one will care much more about grades than they do about how else you spend your time and what other skills you've acquired. Obviously you should still focus hard on school since you're paying for an education, but you shouldn't just bunker down in your room and study 24/7 to get that 4.0 when there are other, possibly healthier, ways to be spending your time. I know that post was just made to sell a product, but it's important for younger students to realize that there ARE more important things than just grades. Join some clubs/organizations, reach out and make connections in your community, and take some time for yourself to de-stress and don't let work get overwhelming(probably the most important, your health is 100% more important than your GPA.) Pick a college that's right for you socially and not just one that you're attending for the name but doesn't fit you.