<p>I was curious as to how involved some of the top students that have been accepted to Harvard/Yale,etc. are in their high schools. After reviewing a number of the College Confidential boards and seeing that the academic achievement of many students is nothing less than phenomenal, I find it hard to see how involved one can be while achieving as much as these students have. As of this point in time, I am ranked 4/504 in my graduating class but with being in two varsity sports and holding the position of VP in my Student Council, I find it extremely difficult to get involved in some of the academic competitions other students are able to participate in. How involved does one have to be in order to be accepted into these top tier schools (In addition to their high SAT scores)? Thanks for the feedback.</p>
<p>(I left out the other clubs I participate in such as NHS, NSHS, Class Council, and Mu Alpha Theta because most students are actively involved in those and they arent as impressive.)</p>
<p>I was quite involved in my high school.</p>
<p>See my p r s t a t s profile if you want stats and crap.</p>
<p>I am an alumni interviewer for Harvard. Every student whom I have seen admitted to Harvard or to similar schools has had very strong ECs. This doesn't necessarily mean that the ECs were school-related. However, the students who go to schools like HPYS have the ability to have excellent grades and scores while also doing something exceptional in an EC.</p>
<p>These are people who can handle a couple of major leadership roles and/or be star players on varsity teams or work a 20-hour a week job or handle some major life challenge (such as having to take care of 3 younger sibs while their single parent works nights) while also having excellent grades and scores.</p>
<p>Mattcarmona, what you are describing seems to be the kind of load that people carry who get into the most competitive colleges. </p>
<p>One last thing, the length of the EC list is not what's important. The depth and longevity of the commitment is. People who are members of dozens of clubs are not what HPYS are looking for. Far better to be a true leader -- overseeing and instigating some productive activities -- at one club than to be simply a seat warmer at 12 clubs.</p>
<p>Thank you for the informative response, Northstarmom.</p>