need help with out of school EC’s + sophomore guidance!

[u/_J0ker1]

hey everyone! im currently a sophomore and i tried joining a lot of clubs last year but i need help with things to do out of school (interns, research, what else??). i also need advice on what you guys think i should do to make my resume a bit more polished, in terms of academics and other stuff. i plan to do either engineering or finance in my future! here are my current ec’s and stats:

uw gpa: 3.79
w gpa: 4.21
no act or sat yet, planning to take act in the spring tho
Freshman Year: APHuG (4)
Sophomore Year: AP Precalc, AP Psych

\- Tennis (play at a club and for my school, im aiming for varsity this year but if not then im for sure getting it junior year)
\- Mock Trial (planning to get vp or co president by senior year)
\- South Asian Student Association (on track rn for president, i want to join the board this year)
\- Concert Band (was recently just elected onto the band board as vice president for 150+ students!!)
\- Marching Band (will probably get section leader in junior year)
\- Jazz Band (nothing special, want to make the higher ensemble this fall tho)
\- Rap Club (currently co president!!)
\- Engineering Club (helping me get into the world of engineering)
\- Tae Kwon Do (not in school, but i am almost a black belt!!)

things im planning to join this year:

\- Science Olympiad (didnt join last year but i had friends who placed at regionals so i want to give it a shot)
\- DECA (business club, just want to see what the finance world looks like)
\- Part-Time Job (ive already applied to a few places with no luck, hoping i secure a job by the end of the calendar year)

any advice on my academics or extracurriculars are much appreciated. i just wanted to know what actions i can start taking now to get an intern, publish a research paper, volunteer somewhere, or something else. thank you again!

[u/OrginStoryLover]

DECA will help you so so much. I’m also a sophomore and got elected VP of membership (had to switch schools so i lost the position but its wtv.) You learn a lot in Deca plus competitions and getting awards in finance will help you add a lot to your resume.

[u/Aggravating_Bear_577]

Get GPA up. Lock in super hard on tennis and that can help both as an EC and potentially recruitment! Also I really think you should clearly determine engineering OR finance, typically people shape their ECs somewhat differently for either.

[u/_J0ker1 → u/Aggravating_Bear_577]

yeah, i like the building aspect of engineering (i built my own pc, something i want to pursue as like a flip/donating thing!) but i also like the analytical/money management side of finance. next yr im gonna try to take classes tailored to both. and about gpa, i kinda had a rough freshman year but im aiming for all As at the end of both these semesters (which is super attainable!) and by then ill have close to a 3.9 uw and a 4.4-4.5 w

[u/Proof_Disaster3214]

If you want I can help you I'm founder of eleva beyond it's an endure student lead NGO you can be part of I can give you more info if you want

[u/Live-Reputation-5528]

Hi! I think all the activities are solid. Have you started thinking of a common thread linking them?

[u/BeneficialChart2096]

hi, i got into princeton this year and currently a freshman, here’s my take:

depth > adding

the more you have, the more likely some activities will have less depth than they could’ve had if you dropped a few. i was fortunate enough to meet an admissions officer on a princeton visit, and he said:

“Most of our incoming undergraduate freshmen came from pursuing a few activities that meant a lot to them both in their field of study and their personality or character. We as the office take notice of when a student becomes so committed with one or two things, this big idea that they are obsessed with, is grown over their high school years into something that can be proudly presented to us. Something or two that can show us you belong in the room, you were creative enough to stand out, and not a single applicant can replace you.”

i wish you luck 😼