I’ve heard that well rounded is bad...

Ok so I’ve heard from various people that being “well rounded” is a bad thing and colleges will think that your doing it just to put on your college apps… these are my EC and can you tell from this what I want to do? Or what my “spike” is?

Model UN (Director General)
Luitenant Governor of the New Jersey Key Club State Board, as well as Co- President of High school Club (Volunteer club)
JSA (political club, VP)
National Honors Society (Secretary)
Amnesty International (Secretary)
Varsity Tennis Team
Drama Department (Secretary of the Thespians Honors Society)
Township Human Relations Comission (Junior Comissioner)
United Nations Internship
Township Youth Council (Diversity Committee)
I’ve been doing most of these clubs since sophomore year and I’m deeply passionate about all of them. I’ve won many awards and leadership positions in each as well. Is having all these different activites bad?

My bet would be poly sci, international relations, or pre-law. My opinion is to continue doing what you love. Colleges will see your passions and you will find a place to shine.

It can be viewed as “bad” if your application suggests that your ECs are more quantity than quality.

Well roundedness is not bad if one excels academically, athletically & shows passion through commitment & results in an EC such as debate or Model UN or public speaking. In would be viewed as a positive in this case.

It is not a problem to be well rounded. Do what you enjoy. I’ve heard college admissions officers say that they look to create a well rounded class – and that class includes some well rounded individuals and some people with different talents/passions etc. So if you are a well-rounded person, own it.

FWIW my D was well rounded (interests in science, very involved in music, community service, theater and more) and in some supplements where it was appropriate she discussed why she believed that her having a variety of academic and EC interests was a positive. Being well-rounded seemed to be no problem at all in her admission decisions.

It isn’t that top college mind variety – but they are looking for “pop” – some significant accomplishment in at least one area. But your ECs look great for most colleges.

There is a huge difference between being “well-rounded” and “all over the place.” Colleges do value well-rounded individuals; they’re wary of those applicants who are all over with their list of EC’s that indicate an absence of purpose, commitment, passion, cohesion and goals. The applicants who started throwing several things together the summer before their Junior year are very likely to have their applications thrown into the reject pile.

Being “pointy” is great, but I don’t know of any colleges that are made up of the majority consisting of “pointy” students. In fact, in my son’s high school and in his school district, those students who were admitted to top schools were all well-rounded students with the exception of just two in recent years.

I heard one college president describe the incoming freshman class as a majority of outliers, making the overall class well rounded.

You are generally well rounded, but you have a little bit of a spike in the Political Science/Public Policy arena. Mention NHS and tennis in your application, but really you can bundle those other activities (even drama is part of politics) and awards into a PoliSci/PP showcase.

A spike doesn’t have to be one activity. It can be several activities with a common theme, which is what you have.

@Groundwork2022 It depends on the schools you are looking at. A top school wants to see a high level of accomplishment in one or more areas. You could belong to 5 related clubs, but if you don’t really accomplish anything, it isn’t going to be helpful.