Hey all! I want to build my extracurricular profile for college apps and am thinking about participating in competitions. What type of competitions (academic, sports, arts, etc.) would you recommend, and how would you suggest finding them?
Hi there! Participating in competitions can be a fantastic way to strengthen your college application and pursue your interests more deeply. The best type of competition for you will depend on your interests and strengths. Here's a quick breakdown of the different types of competitions:
1. Academic: These competitions cover subjects like math, science, history, and more. Examples include the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), Science Olympiad, National History Day, and debate tournaments. To find academic competitions, reach out to teachers in your relevant subject areas or check out your school's clubs and organizations.
2. Sports: If you're an athlete, consider participating in competitions through your school's sports teams or in club leagues. There are also competitions like the Junior Olympics or regional/state/national championships for various sports. Speak with your coaches for information on how to qualify or search for events in your sport online.
3. Arts: Competitions in the arts include categories such as music, visual arts, dance, and theater. Examples are Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, National YoungArts Foundation competitions, and All-State/All-National music ensembles. You can find these opportunities by talking to your art, music, or drama teachers and doing an internet search for local and national competitions in your chosen art form.
4. Other: There are many other competitions that cater to specific interests like entrepreneurship, writing, or coding. Examples include the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitions, and Hackathons. To find these, conduct an online search for competitions in your area of interest or join clubs that focus on those interests.
A good resource for finding high school competitions in general is CollegeVine. The CollegeVine blog has plenty of articles with lists of competitions in different places and subjects: https://www.collegevine.com/blog/search/competitions
In general, it's best to focus on competitions that align with your existing interests and skills, as this will demonstrate genuine passion and commitment to college admissions officers. Remember that success in competitions isn't just about winning; even participating and growing from the experience can be a valuable addition to your application.
Best of luck in finding the right competitions for you!
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