<p>In response to a rather lengthy (possibly intimidating post I made in the past):</p>
<p>Are all extra-curriculars and electives "born equal", for example, would Harvard prefer someone who was interested in more academically focused extracurriculars and activities (matheltes, science club etc.), artistically foucsed activities (band, choir, forensics, debate etc.), or socially focused activites (class representative, class homecoming maid, or perhaps local volunteer hours.) </p>
<p>Or, would they want to know about all of them. And when typing a resume, do they care what schools you went to in the past. ALL of the schools (elementary onward), because that's what I've been taught.</p>
<p>The ideal slate of extracurriculars reflects the fact that you are a unique, smart, ambitious, and interesting person. (Perhaps compassionate, too.) If your passion is international development, maybe you do some academically focused (MUN) and some socially focused (UNICEF). Maybe you’re just a giant nerd who loves printed words, like me. So you are high-achieving in Latin literature-based extracurriculars, and get involved in one of your school’s publications. Maybe you’re really committed to making a difference for the poor, so you volunteer with a lot of causes. Etc. Harvard needs all of those kinds of people to get the freshman class it wants, so no, none of those slates of extracurriculars, and certainly not any one of the extracurriculars in particular, is “better” than the others.</p>
<p>Do not include anything from before high school, unless it was a national award. I’d leave it off, even then. This is general wisdom in my area, which is pretty well-educated, and well-stocked with knowledgeable college counselors. (Mostly in the high schools.)</p>