<p>I can guess he would be regarded as too intentionally insulting, which is why he probably shouldn’t and didn’t make it the highlight of his application. Our GC is pretty good about getting people to filter out such things, even if they did do them.</p>
<p>You mean the carnivore kid? If he did it well, it could come across well. If all it showed was, I think I am a big deal because of this edgy activity, that’s the wrong message. Some kids who do things like that convey more than teen rebellion or questionable humor (whatever.) They can tie it into raising money or some purpose or message that makes sense, gives it some context, makes it relevant, in the end, to what adcoms need to see.</p>
<p>Not all hobbies belong on the app. I do agree with that. But not because adcoms may not live their lives as the kid does.</p>
<p>I think if you address the (perceived) concerns head-on, it could be a strong essay. As you know, there’s a segment of the population (which could include admissions officers especially in certain areas) who will see hunting and fishing negatively, but if you can make the connection to environmental earth science and conservation directly, you could be in a strong position. It’s the “killing Bambi” people you need to look out for.</p>
<p>Include it. An university in my missouri city offers scholarships for bow hunting and actually has a team that competes nationally. My first thought is are you good enough to consider the Olympics or at least start a new club there. (They don’t have a club do they?). Show your passion. And don’t worry about PETA so much. Feel free to show your passion. That is what they want to see. Good luck!</p>
<p>You might have better luck with certain Admissions office’s if you de-emphasized the hunting aspect of your EC and stressed your archery skills instead. For example, see:</p>
<p>Harvard: [Harvard</a> Archery](<a href=“http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~archery/about]Harvard”>http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~archery/about)
Yale: [Yale</a> Bulletin and Calendar](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/opa/arc-ybc/v33.n28/story3.html]Yale”>http://www.yale.edu/opa/arc-ybc/v33.n28/story3.html)
Stanford: <a href=“http://archery.stanford.edu/[/url]”>http://archery.stanford.edu/</a>
Columbia: <a href=“Archery - Columbia University Athletics”>Archery - Columbia University Athletics;
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<p>"De-emphasize” hunting? WHY??? Lots of kids do lots of things that aren’t organized activities at college . . . that’s what makes them interesting applicants!</p>
<p>With all the concerns about concussions and the long-term effects, perhaps applicants should de-emphasize playing football. Football is simply too controversial a topic to include in applications today and adcoms might react negatively to it. Adcoms might even know someone who sustained permanent injury from playing football.</p>
<p>Applicants should instead stress the importance of being on the team, and even point out the wisdom of staying on the bench for most of the game.</p>