<p>I have a friend who's a star student (2380 SAT 1st try, valedictorian, 16 AP classes and 5 extra classes in Princeton). Unfortunately, he's obsessed with getting into the ivies and does EVERYTHING just for college. He joined fencing last year, and managed to get a varsity letter this year. However, he always tells me that he hates fencing and that it's a poor excuse for a sport. He also created a bunch of clubs "to rack up some ECs" (in his own words). Do you think admissions officers will see through his plan, or will they be impressed? Because I might start expanding on my list of ECs, because his plan seems to be working fine, but I want to be sure if it'll be helpful at all.</p>