u/DistinctMeal9216

this September and me and 2 of my buddies are trying to start up a math club at our high school.

​anyone who has actually successfully started a club in high school, pls how did u do it?

Who did u approach first? (Do we go straight to a VP/Principal, or should we talk to the Head of the Math Department first to get them on board?)

​Did your school force you to write up a massive official constitution or proposal doc, or was it pretty chill?

Any advice on how to get this approved fast in September would be huge. Thanks!

Edit - I've got a lot of solid advice on starting the club and I appreciate y'all sm ♥️

One more thing though, what do I do? so if you're a member or math club/leader lmk how a typical math club runs Also how does recording volunteer hours work

Any other advice would be appreciated luv yall

i’m heading into grade 12 and it's easy to spiral when u scroll on this sub. the standard advice feels like a random grocery list (and for some people is quite unattainable, e.g. advice like doing research or starting a biz isn't for everyone), so i spent some time and grouped every possible EC into 5 basic buckets.

competitive / ranked: there’s a clear scoreboard. you can’t fluff this, you either have the results or you don’t (debate tournaments, sports competitions, writing contests, case comps)

independent execution: stuff you start or build completely on your own initiative without a school script or an adult holding your hand (writing a book, filming a doc, self-teaching a hard skill, launching a side hustle)

school involvement: working inside your school system to step up, navigate the environment, and actually run things locally (student council, running a club, sports council, organizing an event)

discipline & routine: things that require raw stamina, routine, or real accountability (working a part time job, playing a sport, family responsibilities)

community involvement: literally just everything you do outside of school boundaries (volunteering, local programs, working on outside campaigns, community events)

the main idea is that if you can hit 1 thing in maybe 4 of these buckets, you give yourself the ultimate well-rounded angle. plus, as a bonus, the skills you pick up in one bucket naturally transfer over to the others and tie your whole profile together.

if u have more experience w the admissions process pls comment ur thoughts. im personally using this framework to structure MY EC's and would love some advice

Hey everyone,

I’m entering Grade 12 this September and I really really really want to go to Waterloo for Mathematics. I moved to Canada in Grade 10 and go to a pretty unremarkable high school.

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Grade 11 - 1st Semester:

Functions (MHF3U): 97%

Computer Science (ICS3U): 95%

Physics (SPH3U): 97% (Took this online in-semester)

Religion: 93% (Catholic school open level, biggest waste of time)

English (ENG3U): 83% (Fast-tracked in Grade 10 summer school and bombed it, will this hurt early rounds?... saddest part I was at a 97 at mid-terms I probably forgot to turn something in and he didn't remind me lol)

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Grade 11 - 2nd Semester:

My school has a program that I'm using to take some Grade 12 Courses this semester:

World Issues (CGW4U): 87.21% (Waiting on exam/culminating - oof)

Economics (CIA4U): 93% (96% on culminating, waiting on exams)

Political Science (CPW4U): 92% (96% on culminating, waiting on exams)

Interdisciplinary Studies (IDC4U): 93% (100% on culminating, waiting on exams)

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Contest Scores (Written in Grade 11):

Fermat (Gr 11): 100/150

CSMC: 40/60

Euclid (Written this past April): 54/100

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Extracurriculars:

Track and Field (Sprints/Jumps)

Black Brilliance

(yeah this is super empty as I briefly mentioned I go to an unremarkable school and idk I js never really saw opportunities for ECs... anyways pls recommend some)

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Grade 12 (Upcoming Semesters):

ENG4U (English), MHF4U (Advanced Functions), MCV4U (Calculus), MDM4U (Data Management), ICS4U (Computer Science), BOH4U (Business Leadership), HRE4O (Open Religion)

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My Questions:

- What do you think of my situation rn?

- ECs 😭, please recommend some extracurricular activities I can do, I'm kind of lazy and unmotivated :/

- Given that I already have 4 Grade 12 marks on my transcript, how heavily will universities look at my Gr 11 English (83%) for early admission, or will they just wait for my Top 6?

- I want to self-start a CS/Math/something adjacent club this fall? Anyone who has done sth similar, any tips on how to go about it

- What should my target score be for the Euclid next April based on my current baseline?

- Also I don't want to be a chud this summer so recommend shit I can do

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Appreciate any brutally honest feedback or advice!

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