Do I need a "spike" in my interests for college applications?
I see a lot of advice that students should have a spike in their applications to demonstrate interests and clear focus/passion. If they want to go into computer science they should do mainly computer science related classes and extracurriculars. I want to go into biomedical engineering so I am in engineering club, doctors without borders, and science honor society. However, I am also interested in public speaking so I do mock trial, TV production, and speech and debate, but I don't plan on pursuing that as my major in college. Will this negatively affect my college applications? If it does, what should I do from here?
9 answers
Michelle’s Answer
Your involvement in all of your extracurriculars is amazing and definitely providing you with excellent experience and the chance to develop and strengthen many valuable skills. You are spending your time excellently.
You may not think it, but your activities are very much useful for bioengineering. All of the public speaking you are doing in mock trials, debate team and public speaking are activities that are teaching you presentational skills which we all need in any career. As a bioengineer, you may have the opportunity to conduct meetings, present findings to a group of colleagues, very useful in employment interviews, and if you go for a PhD you will have confidence in defending your thesis. Participating in the engineer club that you've mentioned already is focused on your career interest and you are doing things that will give you the basic experience that you can take to college. Your current activities are valuable.
My advice is to continue with all you are doing and stay with it until you graduate. Although extracurriculars are important for college applications, they also want to see stability and long term commitment to those activities, too. No need to give up any of the activities or add more, but if you really feel that you want to do something different you can consider doing volunteer work. I would suggest that you continue with your current extracurriculars and I do believe, although there are more than extracurriculars that depend on admission, I think you will be able to attend college without any issues. Many people have not started their experiences yet so consider that you are doing the right thing. Enjoy all of it and do not worry or doubt college admissions - you will be fine.
I hope that this is reassuring and that you continue to enjoy all of your activities ! Best wishes to you.
Robert’s Answer
![James Constantine Frangos’s Avatar](https://res.cloudinary.com/careervillage/image/upload/w_120,h_120,c_scale/v1694725334/179930.webp)
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
In the college application process, showcasing a "spike" or specialized interest can be advantageous as it exhibits a strong focus and passion in a specific area. However, it's not mandatory to have a single spike if you have a variety of interests that display different facets of your personality and skills. For you, having interests in both biomedical engineering and public speaking could be a unique selling point, highlighting your adaptability and comprehensive abilities.
Balancing Interests in Biomedical Engineering and Public Speaking:
Focus on Biomedical Engineering: Your participation in the engineering club, Doctors Without Borders, and the science honor society is a clear testament to your commitment towards a career in biomedical engineering. These activities reflect your interest in the STEM field and your dedication to making a positive impact through science and technology.
Involvement in Public Speaking: Your engagement in mock trial, TV production, and speech and debate indicates that you have honed strong communication skills and the capability to effectively express ideas. These activities can supplement your interest in biomedical engineering by improving your presentation skills, which are crucial in any career.
Influence on College Applications:
Possessing a blend of interests such as biomedical engineering and public speaking can make you a standout candidate. Admission officers value students who demonstrate expertise in their chosen field but also have other skills that can enrich campus life.
While it's important to focus primarily on activities related to biomedical engineering, displaying your passion for public speaking through extracurricular involvement adds an extra layer to your application. It shows that you are not just academically driven but also have soft skills that are vital for success in any career.
Steps to Strengthen Your College Applications:
To further enhance your college applications:
- Showcase how your interests in both biomedical engineering and public speaking complement each other.
- Highlight the transferable skills you've acquired from public speaking activities that are applicable to biomedical engineering (e.g., communication, critical thinking).
- Consider integrating these two interests in your application essays or interviews to demonstrate how they have contributed to your personal development and ambitions.
In summary, having varied interests like biomedical engineering and public speaking can enrich your college application rather than detract from it. By effectively demonstrating how these interests align with your overall objectives and strengths, you can portray yourself as a unique and comprehensive candidate to admissions committees.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard College Admissions Office: Provides insights into what colleges seek in applicants beyond academic accomplishments.
Stanford University Admissions Blog: Offers advice on creating a persuasive college application that emphasizes both academic focus and extracurricular interests.
U.S. News & World Report - Education Section: Shares articles on college admissions trends and guidance for prospective students on crafting strong applications.
God Bless You,
JC.
Martha’s Answer
1) You do not have to trim your interests for college applications. Curtail activities if they become overwhelming and cause physical or emotional harm, but not for college applications. Colleges do look for evidence of growth and leadership so see if you could demonstrate those in one or two activities.
2) See if advice online (including from us, I suppose) makes sense to you. If it doesn't, you can ignore it. Many 17-year-olds don't know what they want to do with their lives, and that is fine. In fact, many use college as a time to explore new subject areas. And that is why colleges typically don't have students declare a major until their second year. All this is to say that advising you to double down on one interest in high school is not good advice.
Good luck!
Charles’s Answer
Good luck!
LaTausha’s Answer
If possible, set up meeting with admission counselor from different schools to see if you're on the right track.
Good luck
Anika’s Answer
I think your extracurriculars make for a great, well-rounded college application. You clearly show great interest in biomedical engineering through your experiences, but you also show promise in skills that add to being a great biomedical engineer. All of your opportunities show growth in public speaking, communication, and teamwork, all of which are valuable skills in a career and within college. Don't worry about it reflecting negatively on your college applications! Your application seems great.
Anita’s Answer
Have fun, and wishing you all the best.
Reema’s Answer
The Perks of Having Varied Interests
A Well-Rounded Candidate: Colleges often seek out students who are versatile and can bring something unique to the campus life. Your participation in activities like mock trial, TV production, and speech and debate highlight your communication skills, critical thinking prowess, and potential leadership abilities.
Range and Depth: While a concentrated interest (a "spike") can show passion and dedication, colleges also appreciate applicants who demonstrate a wide array of interests and skills. Your involvement in engineering clubs, Doctors Without Borders, and science honor society underscores your commitment to STEM fields and giving back to the community.
A Fresh Perspective: Your unique blend of interests in biomedical engineering and public speaking can make you stand out from other applicants. It suggests that you have a variety of talents and interests that add to your overall personality and potential contributions to the college community.
Addressing Potential Worries
If you're worried about how your diverse interests might be seen:
Stress the Connection: When crafting your college application essays or during interviews, link your varied activities to your overall goals and character. Discuss how skills from public speaking can enhance your capabilities as a biomedical engineer, like effective communication in research presentations or promoting healthcare innovations.
Showcase Your Passion: Despite having varied interests, it's important to clearly express your enthusiasm for biomedical engineering. Talk about specific projects, experiences, or challenges you've faced in this field that underscore your commitment and readiness for college-level studies.
Emphasize Time Management: Make sure your participation in different activities hasn't affected your academic performance. Colleges value students who can juggle multiple responsibilities effectively.
The Way Forward
Keep pursuing activities that truly interest you and align with your long-term goals. Think about taking on leadership roles or initiating projects within your engineering club or science honor society to deepen your involvement. If you can, look for chances to combine your interests in biomedical engineering and public speaking, like presenting scientific discoveries or arranging STEM-related public events.
In conclusion, your varied interests can boost your college application by showcasing your diverse abilities and potential contributions to campus life. Be sincere in expressing your passions and how they shape your dreams in biomedical engineering. This strategy will help you submit a compelling and genuine application to colleges.