<p>Hunt, I still disagree with much of what you wrote. For one thing, it doesn't matter if the EC shows leadership as that is not the only quality adcoms are looking for. Leadership is a nice quality but so are other things such as initiative, drive, dedication, organization, making a significant contribution, achieving at a high level of the endeavor, creativity, etc. So, an EC can look mighty fine to an adcom sans leadership. Besides the point, I still see NO difference in someone rising to a leadership role in cheerleading than almost any other group or sport. There may be elected positions who are responsible for organizing things. There may be someone in charge of creating new routines. In any grouping, certain people act as leaders, which can be demonstrated by what they accomplished and documented in recs, etc. Further, the nature of cheerleading itself involves some degree of leadership because they are trying to raise spirit among the student body at events, in front of others, etc. But again, leadership is but one quality and not the most important for college admissions. I see no difference in the long term dedication to this activity which is very physical and technical and involves being outgoing, collaboration, and sometimes competition, than many other groups. </p>
<p>You mention if your kid had to choose between karate and cheerleading and she asks which one do I think helps her most for college, what would I say as a parent. I can't imagine my kid asking such a question as they did what they did out of pure interest and strong desire to do their ECs and we never discussed which ones they "should" do. I suppose if this question came up, I'd say, do the one you love the most if you only have time for one but if you want to do both and can make it work, that's fine too. Put your all into it and achieve what you can. Only do it if you love it. Nothing more. We never evaluated our kids' ECs. They just begged to do them and most were began at a very young age and they fell in love with the activities and it was their choice which ones to do.</p>
<p>I still do not get your point about the EC showing "academic abilities." ECs are not necessarily meant to show academic ability. ECs are endeavors outside the classroom in one's interest areas. Sometimes, for some kids, their ECs are related to academic subjects...such as literary magazine, math club, robotics, etc. But there is NO way an EC needs to be connected to academics and those ECs have NO MORE value than ones that are not academically related. NONE of my kids ECs were academically related and they were very heavily involved in ECs every single afternoon, every single evening, and Sat. and Sunday. They showed their academic strengths in their academic work. Their ECs revolved around interests not connected to subjects studied in school (with the exception of music). These certainly were not "lesser" ECs because they don't demonstrate academic abilities. They demonstrated academic abilities by taking the hardest classes possible, accelerating, going beyond the HS curriculum, doing independent studies, getting top grades, ranked very high (one happened to be val), and doing quite well on standardized testing. Their ECs showed OTHER qualities and traits beyond academic abilities. This is not to knock those who have EC interests that are related to academics as those are just as good but just happen to not be what my own kids did but I would value an academically related EC just the same. </p>
<p>I don't think anyone suggested that all ECs look the same. However, I did suggest that WHAT the endeavor is ....is not as important as the qualities demonstrated....the contributions one has made, initiative, drive, dedication, making an impact, achieving highly, leading, creating, etc. Those qualities can be shown in a myriad of endeavors and I see cheerleading squads as no different. There is a lot of commitment in that activity. Lots of collaboration. There can be achievement (such as in competitions, selection for something, awards). A student can lead the group and take on certain organizational responsibilities. A member may create by creating the choreography. The student tries to lead school spirit. A member may initiate something that has an impact. This can happen in any group. I see more worth in this dedicated activity than a "club" that meets once a week and accomplishes nothing. It is what you do in the activity that matters, not what the activity is. </p>
<p>Further, as mentioned earlier, colleges want all types of students who will contribute to activities on their campus. If they have a cheer squad, they will want outstanding cheerleaders for it, just like members of the orchetra, school newspaper, theatrical shows, and soccer squad. You may be valuing other ECs over this one but I don't see adcoms doing so. Karate is not better than cheerleading. It is more about what you did in that endeavor and what it demonstrates about your qualities then the topic of the endeavor itself. And I would not pick and choose an EC with college admissions in mind. I would have a kid follow their passions and achieve in those areas, maybe even start something of their own, but I wouldn't care WHAT the topic or interest area was, as long as it was something they were really genuinely interested in. The rest will follow.</p>