<p>I'm an Asian female sophomore in high school, and I currently play the piano and varsity field hockey/badminton (cue all the stereotypes!). I've heard that sports in general and common/overplayed instruments like the piano don't really matter for college admissions (ESPECIALLY as the stereotypical Asian) unless you're extremely talented, or unless you plan to pursue the sport/instrument in college. I'm also aware that many people do end up dropping their high school activities altogether due to lack of time, resources, change of environment, etc. The thing is, although I don't really fulfill either of the two requirements (I've only won a few local awards for piano/field hockey/badminton, and while I would like to continue piano/sports, I'm not sure if I'll have time to), I really do enjoy everything that I do-- I didn't start any of my activities with the intent of putting it on my resume. </p>
<p>As junior year approaches, though, parents/prep school counselors are recommending that I drop one to all of these activities I do just for fun merely because it only takes up time and doesn't add anything to my application. </p>
<p>It just doesn't feel right to me right now to stop doing the things I actually like to do just because of ...college, but at the same time I understand that I'll have more time to focus on standing out more in academic areas.</p>
<p>Has anyone been in a similar scenario? For those of you who brought your activities into college, did you find that you stayed with them throughout? </p>
<p>I plan to aim for tech schools like MIT, Stanford, if that adds any info.</p>
<p>I agree that activities as common as those, unfortunately, don’t add much to an application unless you’re extremely talented and accomplished in them. That said, you don’t have to drop them; I’d just recommend lightening up on one or both of them. Surely there’s some other interest you have - why not start a club in it? That’s what I did with video game development, which I’d been into for years but never pursued seriously before.</p>
<p>Oh, and since MIT and Stanford are so tech-heavy, I’d recommend something in the same vein. Supposedly it’s horrendously difficult to get in without it.</p>
<p>Also, I’m failing to see how a sport wouldn’t add anything to your application? Just because a lot of other people do it? Maybe it’s just my school, but we don’t even have a badminton team…</p>
<p>I don’t see why they wouldn’t put some value on anything that shows commitment, even if it’s less impressive than other stuff. I’ve played the piano for 8 years and I feel like quitting would look a lot worse than staying. I like it but I’m not extremely devoted to it.</p>
<p>Varsity sports require a TON of commitment and i think like the person above me said they can’t hurt anything, especially if down the line you are made captain etc.</p>
<p>Not true, it’s an EC and as mreg said, Varsity requires a lot of commitment. I practice 2 hours a day, four days a week for track, which means I don’t get home until 6:30 or later depending if I have anything after that. That doesn’t include practicing on weekends, off-days, going to meets, etc. Other sports require far more commitment than even that. And yeah, something like captain is a bonus, it’s a leadership position.</p>
<p>Seriously, all the idiots telling you that dropping an activity is necessary for success in college applications is DEAD WRONG.</p>
<p>You already have the passion…don’t quit now. These “meaningless” EC’s add a whole lot to your CHARACTER.</p>
<p>There not looking for a laundry list of awards, elite colleges are looking for accomplished candidates with CHARACTER emblazoned on their applications.</p>