Is it better to have very rigorous coursework/high test scores and be less involved in extracurriculars, or have easier coursework/lower test scores but be highly involved in extracurriculars?
Note: By “less involved,” I mean fewer leadership positions, but still a decent amount of involvement. By “high involved” I mean many leadership positions and a time commitment that exceeds time spent on academics.
Ideally, it would be best to have both, but please keep in mind that I am asking which is preferable.
Academics > ECs until you pass a certain threshold but if the alternative is not taking the most rigorous classes your school offers, then academics are not past the threshold.
Academics all the way. When people tell you that A- are okay, if you can reasonable get an A go for it. I busted my but doing amazing things and have an “on point resume.” Yes I loved the people I met and the things I did, but guess what? I couldn’t even fit half that stuff on my resume. And even if I did so, it would dilute some of my accomplishments because it would appear I was doing too many impossible things. Unless you have some state level recognition or higher for your ECs like Intel, chances are you should stick with academics.
The result? Some people I know are getting likelied in everywhere, whereas me who took harder classes potentially is sitting here fretting over my 93 average. I’ve been doing well admission wise, well enough, but I wish I definitely but it more time into my academics. For additional reference I have a 35 ACT and I am a URM.
I think just having leadership positions in general is already great! I do think you need to keep your grades up, though. A lot of colleges utilize a holistic process, but if you can’t keep up your grades in high school, it’s also a red flag that you may not be able to graduate successfully in college. Do take part in leadership positions, they love those! But keep in mind that good grades are also really crucial for consideration at top schools.
Keep in mind: a college is about academics. It’s what they “do.” It’s what their reputations and economics ride on: the ability to teach their students the material they’ll need to know.
All those extra curriculars are nice. But at the end of the day, colleges want to accept people who will find success in their classrooms. They want people who will graduate within 6 (though they prefer 4) years, not ever face academic probation, and will help boost all those other statistics we look at when we’re choosing a school.
Anyone whose grades indicate that they may put those statistics, that reputation, in jeopardy is a risk for them to admit.