Photo Illustration by Maram Faragallah

In recent years, there has been a very strong competition when it comes to the college application process. Applying to a university has expanded from primarily focusing on grades to also activities. Showing passion and participating in multiple activities makes applicants seem more interesting and determined. If you have a major or passion in mind, these are some academic and extracurricular ideas that could make your application stand out.

Disclaimer: this is not in any way meant to cause stress. These are simply ideas for people who are looking to give their college application a boost or take part in some additional extracurriculars.

Pre-law, Political Science or International Relations

If you want to pursue one of these majors, you have to show community involvement and leadership.

Classes:

• AP United States Government, AP United States History and AP World History
• Elective: AP Comparative Government and AP Macroeconomics/Microeconomics
• Montgomery College also offers an International Relations class to WJ students

School Clubs:

• Model UN
• Mock Trial
• Debate Team
• Minority Scholars Program

County Organizations:

• MCR – SGA
• SMOB Advisory Council
• MoCo EmpowHer
• MoCo 4 Change

Internship:

• Most universities offer summer programs that work on expanding leadership and political understanding
• Intern for local political organizations in Montgomery County or D.C.
• Local court internship
• County council offers fall and spring internship for MoCo students

History

Classes:

• AP World History
• AP European History
• History electives include African American, Latin or Asian American History.

Internships:

• Library of Congress
• Montgomery County Historical Society

Internships and involvement should be similar to those for Political Science and Pre-Law.

Business or Economics

Classes:

• AP Macroeconomics/Microeconomics
• Montgomery College offers an Introduction to Business class to WJ students

Clubs:

• DECA
• FBLA

Internships

• Visual enterprise
• Look into internships in famous organizations like World Bank or IMF
• Most universities offer Business internships over the summer or during school

Biology, Pre- Med, Chemistry or Nursing

Classes:

• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry

Clubs:

• HOSA

Internships:

• Get a lab internship
• Look into famous science internships, such as NIH
• Cold email college professors of the field you’re interested in, in order to intern in their lab over the summer

Engineering, Physics or Computer Science

Classes:

• AP Computer Science
• AP Physics 1 or AP Physics C
• Pre- Calculus and AP Calculus

Clubs:

• Science Olympiad
• Math Team
• Physics Team
• Coder’s Club or Girls Who Code

Internship:

• Try looking into famous organizations that offer high school internships, such as Microsoft, Apple or Google
• Summer Launch program at MIT

Psychology

Classes:

• AP Psychology
• Montgomery College offers an Introduction to Abnormal Psychology class to WJ students

Clubs:

• Psi Alpha Psychology Honor Society
• Psychology Club
• Sources of Strength
• Best Buddies

Internships:
Volunteer at a school that has kids with special needs

English/Writing or Literature

Classes:

• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition
• Spectator Magazine
• The Pitch

Clubs:

• Writing Club
• Forensics Team
• 9th-grade success and underclassmen mentoring
• Book Club

Internships:

• Try to get published in small newspapers or local websites
• Enter writing competitions such as Foyle or Scholastic Awards
• Tutoring

Journalism, Media or Communications

Classes:

• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition
• The Pitch
• Montgomery College offers an Introduction to Communications class to WJ students

Clubs:

• Writing Club
• TV Production
• Countywide Newspaper: The MoCo Student

Internship:

• Multiple internships offer training for journalism over the summer or during school.
• Enter journalism competitions
• Try to get published in small or local newspapers

Acting, Directing or Film Industry

Classes:

• Literature as Film
• Stage Design
• Advanced Acting

Clubs:

• Cinema Club
• WJ Filmmakers Association

Art (Photography, Architecture, Painting)

Classes:

• AP Art History
• AP Photography, AP 2D Art and 3D Art

Clubs:

• Photo Club

Internship:

• Museum internships, like the National Gallery of Art
• Art internship in local communities
• Create an art workshop for underdeveloped kids
• Enter art competitions

Dance and Theatre

Classes:

• Specialty PE: Dance
• Show Choir
• Chorus 1
• Chamber Choir

Clubs:

• Dance teams
• Become involved in WJ Stage
• Take ballet classes

Music

Classes:

• AP Music Theory
• Music Technology
• Symphonic Band
• Symphony Orchestra

Internship:
Get involved in the school’s orchestra or a local orchestra

Teaching/ Education

Classes:

• Child Development

Clubs:

• Future Teacher of America (FTA) or Future Educators of America (FEA)
• Best Buddies

Internship

• Volunteer at a school
• Multiple preschools near WJ offer 2:40 to 6 pm paid work every day

Undecided

If you’re undecided, that’s okay too. Take multiple classes in each field to explore your passions. Try different internships and become a member of different clubs, and perhaps you will find something that truly excites you.

All of the opportunities listed above will not guarantee acceptance into your dream college, but it’s a good way to decide what you want to major in. Some of the clubs mentioned above may not have been chartered at WJ yet, so if you’re passionate, start your own club.

As a senior, I have been active in a lot of these and also know people from multiple majors, so if you have any questions or need specific internship examples or further guidance, feel free to contact me.