<p>So, as I have looked over chances threads all summer, I notice that some kids on this site are absolutely out of control. Fifteen AP classes? Really? And what about those 3,254 extracurricular activities along with the insane amount of hours of community service that can only be reasonably expressed in scientific notation? I don't necessarily find this admirable; I find this exhausting and out of control.</p>
<p>As a high school student myself, I thought I was doing pretty well with a handful of EC's to which I am devoted, an afterschool job, and eight AP's by the time I graduate (let's not talk about the AP scores, though). After looking at some other resumes, however, an ivy league school seemed WAY out of reach. My most important extracurricular activity is my friends. Sometimes it seems that I am one of few kids on this site who can do some AP Euro homework on a Friday evening and then get unbelievably drunk with the boys from AP Art History a few hours later.</p>
<p>I'm just curious to see what you all think. Whom do you consider to be the most prepared for a top school: the kid who has his nose pressed to the grindstone so often that he could write his common app essay with his own blood, or the kid who might not have as many EC's, AP's or awards under his or her belt, but an appreciation for a social life?</p>
<p>Keep in mind I am not asking who is more likely to be ADMITTED; I want to know who is more PREPARED for college. Because, to me, a college prep program means more than a bunch of acronyms (AP, SAT, ACT, IB, GPA, etc.).</p>
<p>To me, the latter student is more laudable, but what do you think?</p>
<p>I don't know. I think it's very possible to have a wonderful social life <em>and</em> good stats, especially if you're a more introverted type for whom "wonderful" doesn't mean spending every second of the day with friends.</p>
<p>[brag]I personally have decent</a> stats, and was voted homecoming princess one year...did I mention my wonderful boyfriend? :p[/brag]</p>
<p>I said this on another thread- I'd rather have fun and spend time with people I care about instead of working myself half to death. So yeah, I do have a social life (though none of it consists of getting drunk; I can't hold my alcohol, so I'm usually the DD).</p>
<p>ha I love how the original poster came on to complain of overachievers with insane stats and someone else came on and posted a link where you could see a billion more of those profiles</p>
<p>I have a wonderful social life. I agree with ChellyBelly42...Besides, with my stats, I can already get into the colleges I want, and I have an awesome social life!! :)</p>
<p>I totally understand where you are coming from, although this year I have been guilty of having no social life because I have so much homework. But I am still a sociable person. What really bugs me is the people who so obviously only do things to look good on their applications. That really makes me mad because I am really passionate about all the things I do.</p>
<p>fizix2, there is no way you were not glued to a book all through out high school lol... your favorite activity is research lol don't kid yourself... On a lighter note lol you have done a great job good luck at CIT</p>
<p>well the way i look at it, i spent the last three years of my life maintaining a decent course load and having a social life and procrastinating as much as i could. this year i'm toughening up. i can take giving up my social life for a semester.</p>
<p>WOW KING KOUTURE YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY. finally somone that agrees with me. people on this site lie..theres no way they spend 74 hours a week on ECs plus all school work BS...i believe you are the most prepared for college- i can see we're a bit alike...plus i think 8 APs is a ton...as most ivy league kids from my highschool only take 4-7 over their high school career. BUT THANK YOU KING FOR BEING SOMEONE I FULLY SUPPORT ON THIS SITE</p>
<p>i love life! I'd rather sacrifice a few hours of useless studying for a few priceless hours of fun. life is short, and if partying means i'll go to a college a few percentage points lower on the US News rankings than I could have if I'd studied more, so be it!</p>
<p>Well, personally I do not call getting drunk with my friends an enjoyable social event at all. I think it depends on the person. I have a pretty heavy work load what with all AP/IB classes, a gazillion activities and leadership roles to fulfill, and classes to teach. But I also have my close-knit circle of friends. We talk a lot and are really close, but we only rarely go out partying. I'm an introvert, so this suits me. I think having a social life does not require so much time that I have to cut back on my academic/extracurricular life as well. Each person's definition of a "good" social life is different.</p>
<p>I party hard, and frequently, and did so throughout high school. Partying and socializing are not much less important to me than schoolwork. My nose is so far from the grindstone I can't even see it (the grindstone). :P</p>
<p>Yes, you NEED social skills to succeed. The more well adjusted student will be the one who knows how to be make friends and talk to people rather then spend their whole lives with their noses in books. </p>
<p>I have the toughest schedule in my school, and a 3.83 GPA (Spanish gets me with a B everytime... oh well :]). I coach, am in an animal rights club, Awareness & Activism, Debate Club, theater, as well as various other things so I am in a club nearly every school day. But, I still manage to eat out or hang out with my friends almost everyday and all weekend and I get to spend every day with my boyfriend. </p>
<p>I COULD have an A in spanish, but I want high school to be more then JUST grades, I want to have the MEMORIES cause those are what really stick with you for the rest of your life... Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Sorry... bad day and I needed a little rant... Please ignore.</p>
<p>When people say they have no extracurriculars on here, CCers equate that to them just sitting on their ass all day. Reality: They're out there hanging with friends and having a life. CCers equate extracurriculars with having a life, which is simply not so.</p>
<p>I'd rather have fun in high school, get good grades, go to a state college for free, and then go to a top grad school. Very little debt, easier, and you enjoyed yourself.</p>
<p>It's also kinda funny here that people equate having strong ECs with not having a life. I personally believe that it's very possible to do both. Having a social life is what friday and saturday nights are for, and who's to say that you can't be having fun with your friends doing the ECs. I'm on the tennis team with one of my best friends and although it's not quite the same as spending the night out, it's still a chance to talk and whatnot. </p>
<p>Sorry to seem like I'm mocking your post, Armando, as I most certainly am not; I just want to make my point. I want to have fun in high school while still doing well and having ECs, which is entirely possible with some time management skills (oh these I sort of lack in though...) and some hard work (and sleep lost). These are not mutually exclusive and it's possible to do both.</p>
<p>For those people who already have good ECs, the thing here is: Do they even NEED a social life? When saying "good ECs" here, I'm mentioning club presidency or sport team captain, which DOES require social / communicating skills. They DO know how to make friends, how to communicate with people, and how to make a network.</p>
<p>I would say that not everyone who succeeds now had a social life when they were young. Some people just worked their butt off everyday, then get promoted, promoted and finally are CEOs. They just use the social skills they experienced through their previous career to socialize as they are CEOs.</p>
<p>Is "social life" just a new concept that is made in OUR TIME, when we have better conditions to "go out on friday and saturday nights"? How about the talented poor kids who know how to socialize in China or Vietnam? Does that mean they would never succeed?</p>
<p>My concern is: If you already have good ECs, what is the "real" point of having a social life (going out on fridays and sats nights) then?</p>