Everyone knows that all selective universities are looking for more than just grades and test scores. Once they know that you could succeed academically at their institution they look beyond that for the intangibles. Id imagine that most people make it past the test score and gpa part, but when they are judged by their activities and passions most applications are cut.
So what exactly are colleges looking for in regards to passion? It seems like just being the captain of the soccer team for all four years or being the class president isn’t enough (I realize that for some it is, but very few). From what I’ve seen on college confidential, so many people seem to have a lot of the same extracurriculars and passions. Do colleges look for unique passions? Could having a more unique passion be better than having a generic one even if the generic one has accomplished more? Also, in your opinion what do you think is a unique passion? I’m very into filmmaking and music but I guess the music thing is pretty popular. Maybe if it was composing or conducting or something it would be more impressive…
And one more question. Do you think that admissions officers are able to tell when a student is truly passionate about an activity? Like not the student who is in 10 clubs and is spread thin, but one who has been doing the same activity for a long time but only for the sole purpose of getting into college.
What these colleges are looking for–students who genuinely pursue their interests not who pursue interests they think colleges want to see. It is a paradox. The more you carve out a perfect application the less appealing you will be to a very top college. You may be making yourself a great candidate for that next level of college but not the very top. And you can’t game the kind of pursuit that those very top colleges are looking for. They are not the pro forma 800 scores and each category checked off. That may get you into the schools in the top 75-50 (this is by no means exact and which is which varies by ranking but generally speaking we are talking about the next level down from IVY plus sorts of schools. (for more on this check an MIT blog that is more broadly applicable:: http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways).
And to add: It isn’t really “Passion” that they are looking for. It is achievements within those activities that suggest the person is driven by their interests and are successful at an increasingly high level as they move through childhood and through high school. This is a very different from applications that look like this (typical example) APs in 9 classes across all topics, GPA :nearly perfect, All State in Violin, Model UN (4 years), Track (3 years: Team Captain senior year), Science Olympiad (went to states 2 years), Volunteer (> 100 hours), summer at Elite Private High School summer program (2 years). Take a look at the ECs of those posting in results threads-who got in.
Most elite colleges I spoke to defined passion as commitment and sustained interest in a certain thing. The underlying idea is that if you’re passionate you will have been involved in the activity for a while and that you will have pursued leadership/awards/exposure to it. At my (elite) school it does seem like almost everyone has one “thing” that they did prior to coming here. There’s the olympic athletes, the famous actors, one of the top jump ropers in the world, award winning musicians, competitive video gamers, charity founders, and more.
If you have a more generic passion then I would assume you need to be a bit more involved/impressive with it (or else they could take someone else with the same passion). The admissions departments when I was college hunting usually said that they’re looking to fill a diverse class. The music department examples were usually like this: if there are 1000 violin players that are all passionate and talented they still don’t need 1000 violins at the school. To make sure they don’t have a class full of just violin players a large majority of those will be rejected. But if there are 20 bass players and the school wants to admit at least say 5 to make sure their orchestra will be sustained then those bass players have a much better chance.
Basically, more generic passion = larger competition pool = lower chances compared to other passions (but of course higher chances than without a passion). So a passionate bass player would have a slight edge (assuming similar level of play and academics) to a passionate violin because the school wants diversity and the bass has less competition. For this reason “endangered” instruments are widely considered to give a slight edge in admissions to top schools.
By this model, a more unique passion would be more beneficial although that may vary for different schools. I didn’t visit all elite schools so I can’t speak to what other admissions officers might say. In the end, you can’t choose your passion so just do what you love to do and don’t worry about it.
Oh ok. So do the achievements have to be on a national level or can they be personal achievements? While it is good to be recognized nationally is it still alright to jut be very accomplished at still a high level? For some people it might be easier to be recognized on a national level (science Olympiad or some sort of piano competition) but for others it’s hard because they might not have many opportunities to show off their work (independent research or music composing). I guess what I’m saying is are admissions officers open to different circumstances or do they just want to see a lot of accomplishments that are widely recognized?
@MurphyBrown I would highly encourage your middle schooler to try an endangered instrument! If they work hard there will be many incredibly opportunities and even paid gigs while they’re in high school. I may be missing a few but generally the list includes: viola, string bass, oboe, bassoon, french horn, trombone and tuba. I would encourage switching to an instrument of the same type (wind vs string). Also, it’s worth noting that many schools have endangered instrument programs where lessons on these instruments are subsidized. After a year or so of lessons/hard work definitely would encourage applying for the All State honor groups, solo competitions, youth symphonies, etc. When visiting colleges (whew I know this is a long way out) email/call the music department heads/conductors. They generally will be thrilled to meet with you and can put in a good word if you impress them with a resume/audition (and also of course do arts supplements when possible).
@matinee24 Achievements don’t have to be on a national level but most people have won some sort of award/honor/competition. There are musical composition competitions. Independent research might be more difficult, but being a co-author on a paper or something like that would be a way they could “measure” that achievement. Of course they wont be expecting national awards for independent research like they would for say sports. Don’t worry too much if you think your area doesn’t have nationals like sports/science/music…
That’s a relief! I feel so much better now! 
Ahh, so I see that Lagging is taking the opposite-spend 4 or even 8 years trying to carve yourself into what the schools are needing-change your child into something they are not, have them spend all their time doing things colleges will value (as in “I would encourage switching to an instrument of the same type (wind vs string”). And what happens if all the other kids do that same? LOl.
@lostaccount That’s not at all what I’m saying. If a child wants to try a new instrument and doesn’t have a strong preference then why not try one that’s endangered? It’s not all about college. I encouraged switching to the same type instrument just because the transition is easier. If you already know how to play a string instrument then you’re at an advantage starting another string. Same with winds. Many kids initially find switching a bit frustrating and choosing a somewhat similar instrument helps decrease that. I never once said do something just to get into college. You do it because you love it and if you love music and want a new instrument then why not pick one that can provide you with so many more opportunities. I’m NOT talking about opportunities just in the college context.
These instruments have been endangered for a while and as soon as they become too popular you can bet they will be off the endangered list. It hasn’t happened yet and to my knowledge isn’t going to happen soon so your second point is moot as of now.
I played music for years and switched from common instruments to a rarer one. I’ve appreciated the incredible musicians I’ve been able to play with and all the experiences that I would have had a hard time getting on an instrument like clarinet or flute. It was never about college although it certainly helped with that in the end.
@MurphyBrown Bassoon or oboe is what I would suggest. Both are double reeded instruments while the clarinet/sax are single reeds. Usually your kid’s school will provide free reeds and an instrument (at least initially).
Awesome thread. Very informative guys!!
I couldn’t give you any specific private-school oriented advice since I don’t have any experience with that area. Does he ever get a chance to play with others? If he’s into jazz at all on saxophone then quite a few middle/high schools have before school jazz ensemble classes he could look into. I’d imagine they would be pretty flexible about allowing him to participate. It’s a very cool experience compared to playing alone.
Many youth symphonies are non-profit and offer generous financial aid to attract the best players regardless of income. Many areas have multiple youth symphonies (even in neighboring cities) so you would want to look at the specific ones in your area. Most symphonies also have several levels for different skills of players so often people will join at a lower level and work their way up. Usually admission to the group depends on an audition. You can search “[main city near you] Youth Symphony Orchestra” to find options. All-state honor groups are also often non-profit though I can’t vouch for all states. As a middle schooler, your son could audition for “Junior All-State.” If his school offers music class at all then I would guess the teacher of that class could help him send in a recording if he was interested. Again, you can look up the requirements based on your state since they vary.
When your son gets a bit more serious about music it’s generally more common to study privately with an instructor (a player usually with a professional opera/symphony/ensemble) instead of a music front. But if you think the instructors are great at the music store and don’t want to change then don’t feel pressured to take my advice -just in my experience serious players generally didn’t take lessons at a music store.
On CC, there’s a trend to be indiscriminate about what “passion” means, as if it’s any old thing you love love love. As one savvy kid once posted, no, you don’t get extra attention by claiming playing video games or reading romance fiction is your “passion.”
You really don’t have to do something unique. Nor do you need awards. You just need to show you can pick worthwhile activities and, as someone said, commit. Climb out of the same old hs box of clubs and a couple of hours for school-required random service hours. For some, you increase skills (or your role) over time. Music is a good example, do join the orchestra, accompany or go for All state or a regional orchestra. Or, if you’re going to claim you have a passion for medicine and helping people, do go out and volunteer and try to help people. Commit. Take on some responsibilities.
You don’t have to switch to clarinet. You do need to be involved. You don’t have to co-author a paper. But if you want a research major, why not try to get some research experience? If you think you want engineering, why not join robotics? If you are so darned interested in politics, why not go volunteer on a campaign, even as a grunt? And on and on.