<p>Reading through all these comments again, I guess I have reacted most to the concept of "admissions savy" activities in general. DD pursued music because she loves it; music, was a major major extracurricular activity in high school, and because she was in a Saturday pre-college program and a youth orchestra in addition to the school orchestra, she didn't have any time for other EC's (Spanish club, school paper, basketball etc.) and she also didn't have the time or energy to do very many competitions (just her own orchestra concerto competitions and one national mail-in- the- tape competition).
It is my feeling (based on long experience as a high school teacher as well as parent) that colleges are interested in authenticity, and that means not being "admissions savy" as much as simply being yourself. I don't think long lists of prizes really add much, and I think it would be terrible to seek out competitions and prize opportunities merely to enhance a resume (the implication in myau's original post, although perhaps not intended). The ABSENCE of prizes and competitions won't be noticed (although I agree with some of the other posters that the absence of any sort of participation in orchestra/community events might seem strange) . Sometimes there is a need to explain a poor academic record ("he missed all his final exams because he was a finalist in an international piano competition") ; but of course the opposite does NOT hold true ("he didn't play well in his audition because he was studying for finals")
Maybe some of this boils down to a the fact that admission to a college or to a consrvatory is not only about the applicant's acheivements, abilities, and performance, It's about what works for the college or conservatory: how the student will fit in. Does the college orchestra need a good English horn player? Does the conservatory studio already have too many tuba players?</p>
<p>Hello Myau, just read your most recent post and sympathize with the overwhelming schedule your daughter seems to be juggling. YES, something needs to go! especially if she is considering auditioning for conservatories next year. My guess is that she will need your help limiting herself because if she loves all the acitivities and is saying yes to all her friends she will have a hard time saying no without your support. Sounds as though she is juggling two instruments as well, and I know that by senior year by D needed to focus all her energies on one for auditions. Sounds like it's time for some serious discussions with the school counselors and teachers, as well as with your D. We did a lot of tweaking with D's academic program (NOT to water things down, but to have a manageable schedule without feeling the need to take every AP class that was offered) and we worked closely with her music teachers to set realistic goals. At one point, when she begged and pleaded to audition for a second highly regarded youth orchestra that met on Sundays, we just said NO...she recovered and did in fact thank us later.</p>
<p>Myau's D sounds a lot like my son, who also juggles more activities than I think he should, plus all the accompanying, making time for other kids' auditions, multiple bands, Saturday music school, etc. Oh, and the two instruments.</p>
<p>We are going to allow some academic modifications for next year (he doesn't think four APs are really necessary, and we agree that two is plenty), but I would be hard pressed to say he <em>couldn't</em> do an activity he really wanted to do (except travel to long distance auditions of friends to accompany...we did put the kibbosh on that idea!).</p>
<p>I guess my feeling is if the kids seem to be managing the load, they don't need help in tweaking it. If she is seeming overwhelmed, then I would help her choose.</p>