<p>
[quote]
celestial: This is no longer a checklist</p>
<p>many people don't know what's out there
[/quote]
Yes, I agree =] and as I also said, this thread can be quite helpful for that reason. And true, the thread title does say "help qualify someone", not just "qualify someone". =] There are a lot of positive sentiments in this thread.</p>
<p>Oh my. Even if you're interested in science and math, I promise you don't have to have research published in the NEJM or something to get into Harvard. I go to a competetive public school and we get "math-sciencey" kids into top schools every year who don't have "qualifications" so easily listed. Getting into top colleges is pretty much a lottery, and no magic EC will get you in. I personally see no pattern in all the kids I know who go there now, except that they were smart kids with interesting (but not spectacular) ECs and had fairly high test scores.</p>
<p>"Getting into top colleges is pretty much a lottery"</p>
<p>Don't you think that's very anti-CC? lol</p>
<p>"Question: What are the chances of getting in without something top notch like these ECs?"</p>
<p>Uhh, I got into an Ivy without any of those. Almost all of my friends here and at other Ivies didn't have any of those either. Those people comprise a small percentage of the accepted applicants.</p>
<p>I believe the list helps, when, say a student is interested in math and science. However, he/she doesn't know what opportunities are out there, so someone suggested him RSI and he got in. He would never had done that if no one told him RSI existed in the world!
So...although this might be a different intention from the op, I believe listing out ECs do help applicants in a different way.</p>
<p>For the List: </p>
<p>All-State Band/Orchestra/Chorus I believe is a huge extracurricular activity -- in the musically competitive states (California, Texas, New Jersey to name a few), this requires weeks and weeks of practice -- and even then it's a crapshoot. In my state (NJ), you have to qualify through Region Band first -- which is also a crapshoot to even be able to audition for All-State. </p>
<p>That being said, any huge band (All-Eastern or the other area equivalent) is even better. </p>
<p>The last year's valedictorian at my school (an asian) got into Harvard (EA) and MIT (RD) + bunch of other high schools for:</p>
<p>Lots of Math and Science awards (I think -- what I heard from others)
All-State Band + Region Band + County Band
Varsity Tennis
+ Volunteering too most likely.</p>
<p>any more?
it could help people have an idea what opportunities are out there.</p>