I’ve been reading on the college admissions process recently, and have on multiple occasions read that colleges are looking for “angular” students, meaning that they’ve focused and had success in certain areas. As a soon-to-be high school sophomore, this was somewhat alarming to me. I have a diverse set of interests, and so have chosen electives in a variety of different fields. My extracurricular involvement is scattered as well. Because of this, I fear colleges may view me as unfocused or without passion.
Is this fear valid? Would you suggest I continue to take electives in a variety of fields, or try to focus in on something I like?
I haven’t a clue as to what I want to do, and so thought exploring a diverse set of professions may help me to narrow it down. It’s just occurred to me that this may be detrimental.
What kind of colleges are you aiming for?
Take the courses that interest you the most. Be who you are, then find the schools that will be best for you. There are plenty of fine schools that will be happy with your diverse interests, and exploring those interests may make clearer what you want to do later in life.
The “angularity” is for ECs, not academics. Being intellectually one-dimensional isn’t going to impress.
The highly selective schools all recommend a breadth of coursework in the core subjects: English, math, lab science, history/social studies, and foreign language. A few also suggests an arts class or 2. No college has an expectation that a student in HS specialize academically, and many have no interest in those students that do. That’s what grad school is for.
Use HS as a time to explore many academic options. You will specialize more and more as you go on.
There will be colleges that appreciate students who have a variety of interests and talents and there are colleges that appreciate more students who specialize. Why would you bend yourself (and your interests) like a pretzel for admission into a college that won’t appreciate you?
I’m not sure as of now, but may be interested in a liberal arts education. @ucbalumnus
Thank you all for your advice. It’s appreciated 
Generally, colleges and universities in the US expect a well rounded base of high school academic preparation. Beyond that, students may choose academic electives and extracurriculars of their interests. To increase likelihood of admission to super-selective colleges and universities, high achievement in the well rounded base, plus high level (e.g. noteworthy at the state level) achievement somewhere would be indicated.
How many diverse electives can you have taken in one year of HS?
I’ve taken 4 semester-length electives this year, and have chosen electives for the coming school year as well (though I’m not yet sure which of my choices I’ll be put in). @“Erin’s Dad”