<p>I understand people have goals to get into certain universities.</p>
<p>I understand these elite universities require certain standards to be met (outside of GPA and test scores).</p>
<p>I understand that this is, in fact, College Confidential.</p>
<p>But in a VAST majority of cases, I believe if you go through high school doing what YOU want to do, you will be accepted to universities that fit YOU. It's almost sickening to see some people bending over so far backwards to please admissions officers that they completely miss out on the joys of being in high school and spend it doing crap they really don't want to do.</p>
<p>Yes, legitimately work hard. Pursue opportunities. Do the extracurriculars you enjoy. Be a leader when you should be. Get good grades. DON'T waste high school trying to be someone you're not. </p>
<p>No. I don’t think sucking up to colleges is all that great in itself, but I like that the college admissions process motivates people to do productive things they wouldn’t have done otherwise. </p>
<p>I’m seventeen years old. I don’t have enough perspective to really know what I want out of life. I can’t “be myself,” because my self isn’t a well-defined unchangeable thing. Just because I don’t have warm fuzzy feelings about something (honors math classes, school clubs where I’d have to confront my shyness) right away doesn’t mean I can’t potentially benefit from it or develop a passion for it. </p>
<p>I’ve said this before, but the existence of resume-padding kids also helps create extracurricular opportunities for the ones who are “following their passions.” The passionate kids would probably find stuff to do anyway, but it’s easier to find opportunities now that HYPSM look at ECs. Summer programs and internships for high school students probably wouldn’t exist if there weren’t a bunch of annoying careerist kids demanding them.</p>
<p>Literally everyone at my school kills themselves with pointless extracurriculars because their best friend’s older sister’s cousin’s boyfriend told them that it would look “super good” on a college resume. Bleh.</p>
<p>I hate reading posts about kids taking a bunch of APs every year and asking which of them looks best. I posted this earlier, but if you like psychology, take AP Psych, who cares if it doesn’t look as good. If you hate biology, then don’t take AP Bio. Simple as that. If you take a rigorous schedule full of classes you will enjoy and have a legitimate interest in, that would look better than a schedule full of classes you have no interest in, in my opinion. I think admissions can see through that. The point of school is to learn and educate yourself, not to create a pretty transcript. I wish people would just follow their interests and not somebody else’s idea of what would look good.</p>
<p>What’s even worse is when kids DON’T do something they’re interested in because they think it will hurt their chances for college. My kids would have higher weighted GPAs if they took something other than Art and Photography. But they enjoy art, and it’s a great break from the more academic classes - allows them to work both sides of their brains. D even ended up winning some regional photography awards - that was a nice unexpected bonus. But some kids aren’t willing to take the hit and skip art (or chorus or band or other non-Honors electives) because of the impact on weighted GPA. I find that sad.</p>
<p>I despise it with a passion. I admit, I will ask if something is leading me to good colleges, but I refuse to add or take away classes or ECs that I have no interest in. It is insane to do it. I probably won’t have a lot of ECs when I apply to college, but that is because I have a passion for books and animals. I won’t do something I’m not passionate about. Changing yourself to fit a college is insane. If a college is meant for you, you will get in. Regardless of your GPA, your scores, everything. It your passions that get you into a college. Who you are and just packing your resume with ECs that you have no passion for, it doesn’t make you desirable in the slightest.</p>
<p>Yes. And perhaps even worse when a student or parent asks “what summer programs will look best to colleges.” For goodness sake, this is your life. Do what YOU want to do. The question sounds so pathetic. If you have to ask, the college shouldn’t want you. Grow a backbone.</p>
<p>I am guilty of thinking this way, but I really don’t want to be like this. However, the best schools offer amazing opportunities you will get nowhere else, and getting into these schools can hinge on the smallest of things. </p>
<p>Sophomore year I decided to take a computer related class over AP Euro because AP Euro was really tough and I dislike history. Now, I’m worried that my GC will not rate my schedule as most rigorous which would really hinder my chances at top universities. </p>
<p>Although this can be really annoying, I can’t condone it.</p>
<p>Halcyonheather - you do make some good points; I didn’t think about it like that. It’s perfectly understandable to not know your passions as a high school student - I definitely didn’t freshman and sophomore year. Junior year I started to develop some, and now during senior year I have the time and freedom to pursue them much better.</p>
<p>I like your point about how resume-padders have created opportunities for some students. Our salutatorian started Key Club at our school, and one of the main events we volunteer at is the Diabetes Walk, which is cool since my sister has Diabetes. The salutatorian is not a leader at all; she just wanted leadership on her resume - but starting Key Club allowed me to volunteer and help out.</p>
<p>There is some logic in doing things you don’t want to do for future aspirations or goals. Getting a crappy entry level job is basically required to enter many careers.</p>