My DD competes at a national level in speedcubing (Rubik’s cube) and is ranked highly in her region, plays a varsity sport, and is a very talented instrumentalist but didn’t take to music competitions but when she does perform, serious audiences view her as exceptionally talented. Any parents with D’s/S’s with a mix where your kid pursued real passions to a high level but didn’t pursue the more typical types of HS activities or nat’l competitions?
For music, it is not necessary or even advised to pursue national or other competitions. If a student does a music supplement, it can include a recording, a resume with teachers and performances, and letters of recommendation from a teacher and/or director. Often students study at a conservatory prep, or perform in a local or regional orchestra, that kind of thing.
Since she does compete regionally in speedcubing, and plays a varsity sport, it would seem to be hard to do music with that kind of intensity. Lessons and playing in school ensembles is fine too. Or maybe she doesn’t sleep!
An atypical activity like the speedcubing would draw interest from admissions folks, I would think. Kind of like the kid who travels to collect butterflies, that kind of thing.
I don’t know what you mean by typical HS activities but often doing things in school, even with leadership positions, seems to impress admissions a little less than activities outside of school. That is a gross generalization but in support of your daughter’s path, I think atypical “passions” are a plus.
Thanks–that’s very helpful–puts her passions in a different light. I meant by typical HS activities clubs/journalism/theater/multiple sports… older S also an iconoclast!
@silversmith - I’m intrigued by cubing because my kids do it. What are her typical/best times? Can she solve it blindfolded? When my son was at Princeton one of the fastest in the world was purportedly there.
It’s worth it as a parent to learn about how much effort goes into actually learning to solve and do it quickly; it takes an enormous amount of memorization of speedcubing algorithms to get fast. Her fastest time for 3x3 is 7.55 seconds . At national and regional competitions, competitors typically enter multiple events–there are all types of cubes. She can solve blindfolded.
Damn that’s fast. Watching a blindfolded solve is fascinating. I remember one of my kids doing in an airport one time while waiting for a flight and a crowd formed. People couldn’t believe it was real.
My kids were both deeply into fencing, music, cubing, and community service. They both went to there first choice colleges, Princeton and Duke.
Good luck to you and your daughter.
Another parent of a speedcuber here. All parents of speedcubers get my special sympathy for having to endure the constant little clicking noises from them constantly having a puzzle in their hands. And if you’ve also had your kitchen table turned into a science lab with different lubricants, magnets, and lord knows what else to try to be able to keep the cube moving smoothly without popping apart…
My experience with my oldest is that schools do appreciate outside interests that are pursued at a high level. You can look for schools that will allow you to submit an art supplemental, or who will look at ZeeMee (Although I think, thankfully, that that is dying). Those would allow your DD to share videos of her music performances.
Will you be going to Nationals this year? Apparently the guess is Salt Lake City.
My daughter was a competitive figure skater – she competed successfully at high levels individually as a juvenile (age 13 and under) and then in high school on a high level synchronized skating team. As a matter of fact I think she was the youngest skater on her synchro team the entire time. She also passed all her US Figure Skating tests by age 15. I had her add that to all her college applications. In her acceptance letters some of the schools did mention it.
Sounds to me like your D is pursuing things she finds interesting and doing it at a high level – that will serve her well not just for college applications but, more importantly, for her own personal satisfaction. There is no need to do any particular EC for college and I’d encourage her to continue to do what she loves.
This sounds pretty wonderful. Anything that shows a high level of thinking, dedication, and distinction is worthwhile not just as a way to capture the interest of a college adcom but simply b/c the tools and abilities and sticktoitiveness in these achievements are transferable or translatable to many other endeavors.
I tend to think an unusual activity is always a help. My younger son made origami earrings and sold them at local galleries and craft fairs. He did much better in admissions than his grades and scores would have predicted.
My older daughter’s main EC was noncompetitive horseback riding. She wrote about it in some of her essays. It certainly didn’t hurt her and probably helped her with some colleges. But more important, that was what she loved when she was younger, and I’m glad she was able to have the experience of being involved in something she loved. (She still likes riding but not with the intensity of a girl or teenager.)
My DD has been a paid singer/musician since age 14. She did not continue on past Freshman year with the school vocal music program as the director does not approve of any “rock” music genre and movement to the upper-level choirs is largely based year in school and participation in the school musicals. However, when she was singing at her regular Saturday gig, the Musical Theatre Director from Big 10 University happened to be there by complete coincidence and dropped his card in her tip jar. When she & her music partner contacted him, he said they were exactly the kinds of students they were looking for - kids who pursue their passions. He said he hoped that they would consider applying to either the music or theatre department and cc’d the head of the Music Department. That she had not continued on with the school music program did not seem to be a concern at all.
One of my kids was on a national team for an unusual Olympic sport. That was her only EC–except for required community service (which she continued after the required hours). Colleges with holistic admissions will appreciate your kid’s atypical ECs. My D went to the same school as Mathmom’s kid.
Thanks! Yes, I live with the constant sound of clicking but I guess I was born to be a cuber parent because I find it enjoyable. And our kitchen counter no longer serves as eating space, because is always a hash of cubies, glue, and timers. I appreciate your advice! We are going to Salt Lake City!
Thank you! That’s reassuring. She is a true devotee and single minded about her interests. Some day I think that will translate to an interesting career.
Thank you! I am very much appreciating all the encouraging responses.
How wonderful for her! It’s truly the independent, passionate adolescents who will shape the future of the arts!
My daughter figure skates but at a low level. She gradually did all the levels from snowplow sam through freestyle 6 and it was only less than two years ago she was convinced to start testing. She has skated group learn to skate lessons since end of kindergarten. In 6th grade she started helping as a volunteer with beginners which she still does. In high school she founded a high school skating team for her high school. Admissions from more than one school has said that they view that as showing passion and leadership.
I don’t think that this \ is unique either but my daughter has also taught youth classes at our local public access tv station. She teaches things like filming, editing, directing etc. She learned by taking the youth classes when she was younger. She has also been told that even though that doesn’t have a leadership title it shows leadership to at least some schools and they love that the leadership is a non school club.
@toomanyteens - which synchro team was your daughter on? My daughter doesn’t do synchro but the Haydenettes are a nearby team and occasionally they do an expo at a high school competition. I doubt it is the whole team but it is fun to watch.
Once when we were on a subway in NYC we watched a guy do a Rubik’s cube - first we were fascinated that it was a different shape than the standard Rubik’s Cube. His speed etc also really impressed us. He loved having an audience for a few minutes.
@momtogirls2 She was on a low level CT team when she was very young – but then later she was on Synchroettes Novice and then Team Delaware Junior (much closer to us).