<p>Just found out that DD has earned a service award for "above and beyond the call of duty". She started this activity when she was in HS. It was so behind the scene but very time consuming. I questioned its value at times. But DD stuck to it and takes her passion to college. I have seen her name printed on several publications since. </p>
<p>Sometimes we saw parents or students came to ask - does this e/c look good on application? To me, that is a wrong question to ask. </p>
<p>I guess my point is that even the most simple E/C could show your passion and character. You don't have to fly to Africa to earn your service awards. As long as you ture love the activity and put all you effects into it.</p>
<p>My kids didn’t have a lot of EC’s, but they loved what they did and were able to write engagingly about them. (Or in my older son’s case I think the outside recommender’s wrote engagingly about him!)</p>
<p>Nicely said. My kids’ ECs were not award-winning but they really enjoyed them and it gave perspective as to who they were and what made them tick.</p>
<p>Totally agree, do what you love and it will be a positive experience in so many ways. I hate when people ask me, “Do you think having your daughter take this class or do this activity is why she got into Yale?” My answer, “She got into Yale because she took classes she was interested in, didn’t take classes she was not interested in (FL), and participated in extra-curriculars that she thought were worthwhile or enjoyable for her. Yale liked what they saw and who she was and thought it was a good fit.” (She rejected Yale, btw)</p>
<p>There is no magic formula or “one size fits all” when it comes to kids and college; give the college a picture of your kid and see if it’s the right fit for him/her. Parents make me crazy!!!</p>
<p>I agree with the OP. Schools are building classes. They don’t need only varsity players, or student government officers. They might want someone who can instruct someone on origami, help with Yoga instruction, play bagpipes, loves playing harmonica, has an interest in Mime, etc. One’s ECs can be off the beaten path in my opinion, as long as it is an authentic passion. YMMV</p>
<p>There are some ECs that are better than others for elite college admissions but since you have to be in the upper echelons of the activity, it is not something one casually achieves. Debate, for instance, is a good one, and crew opens possibilities. But none of my kids were interested sufficiently to do either , and the fact of the matter is that even out of those who do like such activities and are doing them, few are at the level where it makes a difference.</p>
<p>One of the complaints of my D in high school were the many people who “belonged” to clubs, honor societies, etc. who clearly did it just to be able to mention them on college applications. They were never around when it really came time to get things done, sometimes even though they were officers (in name only). Her high school letters of recommendation came from teachers who not only had her in class, but who also advised on activities that she was truly passionate about. I agree w/ OP.</p>
<p>High school is several years of your life, a time to explore your interests and develop them. It is a mistake to do any activity with college applications in mind, in my opinion. First, because it limits your development. Second, because there is no way to predict what will be desirable in the eyes of various admissions committees at any given time. And third, because getting into Big Deal Univ. is not nearly as valuable in the long term as being yourself.</p>
<p>S1 got involved in a couple of activities towards the second half of senior year. They were never on his applications, and developed after a few other things happened that year, which in turn gave him the confidence to jump into some wildly different things. (These new activities probably would have made a difference on some college apps, but he would not include them, even in his mid-year update. Fine by me.)</p>
<p>These have turned into two of his three major ECs in college, and are likely to be lifetime interests. That’s how I look at ECs – chances to learn skills or develop talents that you can enjoy forever. </p>
<p>Neither of my kids were in a ton of activities in HS, but they were actively engaged and intense about the ones in which they did participate. Neither would join an honor society, though they both qualified for several.</p>
<p>To earn a lottery ticket for admission consideration to a highly selective school, you need extremely good stats and scores. For that ticket to turn into a winning ticket you need stats + scores + …something…recruited athlete, URM, Academy Award nominee, Olympic medalist, national award winner in something related to your major…or an essay or personal story that jumps off the page…or, something else. I doubt that the “something else” that tips admissions in the student’s favor is rarely being senior class president, or being a member of 18 clubs.</p>
<p>I think the kid’s <em>intrinsic motivation</em> is a very rare resource and needs to be given time to flourish, I think too many EC’s can crowd that out.</p>
<p>I need to add my own thoughts. I have been on the receiving end of outright insults, smirks and rolling eyes when I say one of my daughters main ec’s is cheer.(the other being dance.) I have been laughed at when I asked if we should submit videos of her tumbling/cheer/competitions. I always get “no, just submit her dancing and especially ballet.” While I don’t deny that IS probably good advice I take offense that Cheerleading means nothing on college admissions.</p>
<p>While it may not have the reputation for intellect that something like debate has it doesn’t deserve to be scoffed at either. It takes innate ability to master high level gymnastics like handsprings, layouts, tucks and full twists. It takes a LIFETIME of commitment, starting sometimes before elementary school and even then, not everyone’s body is able to master these skills.</p>
<p>So, I know this is a rant but I thought colleges liked seeing kids with Passion. My D’s highschool team placed 12th in state…division.2. Not easy. And will probably place higher this year. Before you scoff at Cheerleading please be aware that many cheerleaders, because of their discipline, are wonderful students and true leaders in their community. My daughter and I are both sick of being laughed at when we say Cheerleading is as valid an ec as debate club.</p>
<p>Ok. I am ready for the backlash.</p>
<p>Forgot to add, D’s good friend had basically been offered a spot on Ohio state cheer squad based on her abilities. She is working with a male osu cheerleader weekly to prepare. She will be a senior with my D this year.</p>
<p>^Nothing wrong with cheer except I think it’s a leading cause of serious injuries. I believe there was a story some years back of a young Asian woman who went to see a college counselor/packager who suggested cheer in order to be less stereotypical.</p>
<p>Mathmom: you are right, it is a cause of many serious injuries. Majority involve stunting ( flying in the air and being caught by bases) But, also it is very unregulated and girls are tumbling, doing hardcore gymnastics moves on hard surfaces.</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound defensive, but we really have been insulted and told this ec would not be a big boost. And that is encouraging about the Asian girl getting recommended to do that! Funny! Unfortunately, if you have,never cheered before, it will be almost impossible to make the squad in highschool. So unless that girl was a gymnast or 10 years old, that was very bad advice. Except typical as many don’t realize you actually have to have talent to make it…just like any other athletic endeavor. Ugh…stereotypes. Lol.</p>
<p>msp- My D was in HS cheer as a freshman and I heard my share of negative remarks. I agree that is annoying and is based on stereotyping and not true. </p>
<p>D’s main ec was dance team (both HS and studio teams) and we also had our share of negative comments about dance. I won’t even go into how lousy the HS team was treated by the school. Ironically D’s ED school is a very artsy and urban school with a very well known performing arts school so I had some concern that her involvement in dance would be too common an ec among applicants, but it did not seem to hurt her.</p>
<p>Cheerleading is a great preparation for people-oriented jobs like sales and demonstrates physical ability and confidence. I have no idea what college counselors think about it, though, and that is the only audience that matters, really.</p>
<p>^ I recall reading something from one of those admissions people- was it Hernandez?- talking about how a young woman was interested in MIT, had acquired a lot of talent in the mathematics and physics realm, and Hernandez wanted her to emphasize her cheerleading passion in her application. I think in this case, it served as an interest juxaposition of stereotypes, and made her stand out from the norm and probably sound really interesting. </p>
<p>There is probably something to be said for violating, rather than feeding into, stereotypes when it comes to ECs making a difference. But I totally agree with the OP and others who emphasize you need to follow your actual intrinsic interests rather than seek to pad your resume.</p>
Lol.</p>