<p>There’s a lot of substance in obsessedparent’s post:</p>
<p>"He said that they didn’t care what the passion was–sports, arts, community service, etc–but wanted to see a spark of commitment and devotion to something during high school that suggests that the kids would do more than talk in class and do homework in the library. He repeated the common statement that they are not interested in compulsive joiners who appear to be padding their resumes in anticipation of college applications. In other words the kids who impress them the most are the kids who are not trying to impress them, whose record speaks for itself, and who can bring with them enthusiasm for something that they can contribute to the student life. "</p>
<p>This sounds right on par with the WashU student body. You really want to be doing something you love and hone it into a talent. DON’T do something just because it ‘looks good.’</p>
<p>OP, you have a good list of schools. But again, do take the advice of some of the other posters here (including mine) and that is you are applying to all the TOP, most competitive schools and they should not be counted as ‘safeties.’</p>