<p>I live and go to high school in a town with an Ivy League institution in it. I am well-educated, and my high school is very much a "feeder school" to this particular Ivy. Although I am very blessed to receive such a high quality education with amazing teachers and great opportunity, the culture concerns me quite a bit. It is really competitive and academic, and I consider these positive attributes. However, I also see a lot of things that stray far what I believe to be right and acceptable. In fact, my unconventional beliefs often deter me from fitting in. That's not to say I'm bullied; I'm certainly respected, but I cannot say I have a true friend--someone in whom I can trust and talk to knowing for certain that he will listen and have my best interest in mind. Perhaps this fact is what I'm trying to get at: Students are so absorbed with themselves and their self-motivation that they never consider others who will not help them gain the upperhand. For example, when I ask someone why he or she does community service, the reply is constant: colleges like to see these hours. What's more, there is rampant cheating. This one might seems insignificant, but it annoys me to pieces: when students skip school because they are behind and have a project due that day or a test. One other dishonesty that does not align with my values is when people disingenuously check off leadership positions without having sincere passions, and the position becomes more of a label of popularity within one's peer group than anything else. I have played ice hockey since I learned to walk, and I have played more than most people. I have played on select teams and have devoted practically every ounce of myself to the sport. However, the coach picked four captains for whom the team voted, who have shown much less passion and devotion to the sport than me but who are popular. These kinds of shortcomings really disappoint me. The people who do these things most effectively are the ones who get accepted to the top schools. I'm sorry I have been ranting, and this is in part to vent what has been irritating me about life, so I'll get to my questions on which I'd appreciate many different thoughts. I devote my time to the few things I'm really passionate about while exploring new things as they arise; should I "play the game" and seize leadership positions, sacrificing my true beliefs? In what way might I shift school culture at all? Since there's no box on the application for "integrity," how does one show that to colleges? Finally, to what schools might I apply in which the student body has similar principles as me? I've been working my butt off in school and lately have been really discouraged to see the Ivy sycophants who were accepted. I'm sorry about the length, and thank you for allowing me to vent. If this came across as arrogant or self-important in any way, I apologize. It was hard to write with a tone of less resentment and disappointment.</p>
<p>There are a lot of colleges besides the Ivies, even it doesn’t seem like it in your hometown. And no, you do not need to “seize leadership positions” to get into very good colleges. My D2 had NO leadership – some very good ECs she was passionate about, but no “captain” or even any office held in any club or team. And she got into some great schools – U of Chicago, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, and Carleton. She didn’t play the game you are describing (and did not apply to any Ivies, in some part because of the reasons you listed above).</p>
<p>You might look into Carleton, they are strong academically and pretty genuine in atmosphere. If you are female, you might like a college like Smith. Haverford might be another option. Harvey Mudd is another choice, although the toughest admit I have listed so far, and maybe not to your liking if you aren’t planning a STEM major.</p>
<p>I go to a math/science magnet school with a lot of high-achieving driver types, and I know exactly what you’re talking about. The mercenary “do it for the application” attitude does get old, but it delivers results. And as long as it works, students aiming for those top schools will continue to pile up those empty ECs and volunteer hours.</p>
<p>I don’t agree with it either, but until they come up with your “integrity” box on an application form, what else are you going to do?</p>
<p>I guess another question I would ask is if it is really worth it to “play the game.” (I also am aware of the subjectivity of this question)</p>
<p>What it comes down to, is that if you decide that you want to go to a top notch name-brand university, then you are all but required to gut out a ton of APs and extracurriculars you don’t care about. You’ve got to play the game to win, and if you don’t, there are ten other students that will. It sucks, but it’s true.</p>
<p>I don’t believe it… my kid didn’t do any ECs she didn’t care about. Except maybe her sport, which she was really pretty halfhearted about, and she did because I insisted she play SOME sport or do something for regular exercise (mean mom that I am…). Icepierre, you might read this book by Cal Newport: “How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out)”. He has some interesting ideas about (1) the fact that you don’t have to take a jillion APs to get into a top college; (2) the GPA cutoff for top schools is lower than you think; and (3) how to be true to yourself in ECs and make yourself stand out in the process (hint: don’t go with the flow and just do school ECs because everyone else does – look for ways to pursue your interests outside the normal channels). But read the book, I found it helpful and interesting.</p>
<p>Icepierre, I think colleges are aching for “genuine” students. They just have a hard time figuring out who those students are. And you have to help them in your application. Best way is through your essays, having ECs that are consistent with the essay thoughts you are communicating, and doing your best to make sure your recommendations also reflect your genuine nature. Some recommenders ask you for information before they write your recommendation. Think hard about how you want to be portrayed if they do this – my kid decided the things she most wanted teachers & GCs to be reminded about when writing her recommendations were her intellectual curiosity, willingness to pursue an academic area or ECs because of her own interests, and strong desire to attend college with other students with those same qualities. So when a couple of questionnaires came her way from recommenders, she made sure to emphasize those points. I did the same when the GC asked me.</p>
<p>Even doing this in the application has an element of “the game”, I guess. But the application is all the committee has to go on… and you want to have it reveal as much of your 'true" self as possible. As I mentioned above, she got into some great schools (in fact, into everyplace she applied). And she had no hook, GPA of 3.7, no tippy top ECs (but she did have great test scores). You can do this and still be true to yourself.</p>
<p>…the Ivies are actually pretty good about weeding out the “Harvard Girl” types - there are bunches of smart ‘misfits’ at each one…</p>