Parents, were any of your kids BWRKs?

Parent Cafe
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<p>Hi parents,</p>

<p>Based on my readings from these boards, it seems like the top schools (HYPSM, etc.) look for total devotion and passion to one or two ECs. What I am wondering is how does the BWRK (Bright, well-rounded kid) stand out extracurricular-ly in such a competitive admissions pool. </p>

<p>I would consider myself a BWRK because I have the academic qualifications, play two varsity sports, play piano competitively (awards at state competitions), do math team and computer science team but also write for the lit mag (starting this year), but from my paper record I don't think there is any indication that I completely threw my heart into a certain EC. Have any of your kids also been BWRKs and succeeded in the elite admissions game? How can I tie up all these activities, and still convey myself as an interesting person? Usually, essays regarding ECs are about the "most important one", but is an essay that reflects the multidimensional nature of the ECs as a total package the best way to go?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>Sheldon</p>

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<p>The adcoms will see your activities list. There is no reason to repeat this. If you want to focus an essay on EC's, it may be best to be specific and concentrate on one EC or one incident of importance to you.</p>

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<p>My oldest son is definitely a BWRK. He discussed two of his majpor activities in his EC essay, writing about how the skills he learned in scouting prepared him for a leadership role in the other.</p>

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<p>My S1 is a BWRK, and in reading CC I questioned if he would have much of a shot at the top schools. In fact, he did NOT get into Yale (his top choice) and was waitlisted at Princeton, but he did get into Brown, Swarthmore, Pomona, Wash U and had a full ride at Rhodes. He has a lot of passion for music and community service, which did come through, though his resume was varied; it included athletics, national recognition for writing, and school leadership positions. </p>

<p>I think several thing might have helped: he got great support through his recs (I didn't read them, but have been told a couple of things about them), he was committed to taking the toughest schedule he could, and he made it clear he was planning to continue active involvement in music, theater, and service. In fact, he HAS continued these things, which has made college a very happy place for him.</p>

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<p>I can second what MomofThree wrote and ironically my BWRK also goes to Brown and also did not get into Yale and also was waitlisted at Princeton (not sure there is significance in that!). She got into many very selective schools. </p>

<p>Like her son, she was very involved with achievements in a variety of things that she had been committed to for years...three varsity sports, two instruments, band, select wind ensemble, jazz band, jazz - tap - hip hop - modern dance, musical theater, student government and other things like work and service. Also an excellent student with many achievements academically. </p>

<p>I know that one singular passion may be in vogue these days but her life has involved many passions. She did not feel she had to write about a particular EC. If she had to pick a favorite, it likely would be ski racing but her essays were not about ski racing. I can think of one college's extra essay where she had to write how to do something and that one essay used for that school (with other essays) was a recipe of sorts for being a ski racer. But her main essays used for many schools did not focus on a favorite passion. The way she chose her essay topics was to pick what qualities about herself that she wanted to show. Once she listed those attributes, she found essay stories that would show them. So, it wasn't like she picked the topic first but chose topics around the traits she wanted to show. So, if they asked about an EC activity, one essay told a story that was set in a soccer scenario (she is a soccer player too) but wasn't about her love of soccer as much as the story was about a setback of sorts and how she dealt with it. Another essay focused on the actual attribute of being well rounded and the many sides of her interests and herself. She played up the BWRK thing because that describes who she is...the balance between her varied interests and sides of herself and how they wove together both literally and figuratively. There were lots of other essays about why she wanted to attend X college, answering many other essay questions. Each time she plugged into each essay whichever "marketing points" about herself she wanted to show. If one essay was going to address certain traits, then the other essay would show other ones she wanted to get across in her total package. The essays were not misc. topics. She wrote many different essays. The essays' purpose was not to reveal her ECs. Her EC resume of activities/awards took care of that. Her ECs were grouped into categories because her particular ECs fit certain categories like sports, performing arts, school leadership, and work experiences, community service and summer experiences. </p>

<p>In my opinion, it is just fine to be well rounded and like several things. The key is that even if you are involved in several things, you make signficant contributions, are dedicated, and achieve. Where it becomes a problem is for those who join many things without any true commitment over time to any of them or a lack of depth of involvement. But many top students I know are involved in a variety of things like you are. Others have one deep passionate interest. I have one kid like that too. Neither type is a better way, in my view. Either type is who you are. Use your app and essays to show WHO you are...and if that is a BWRK, then that is who you are. I think you sound pretty accomplished and interesting. </p>

<p>I hope it helps to know that others like you also have gone onto schools that are selective and done just fine. </p>

<p>By the way, like MomofThree's son, my D also continued several of her areas of interest in college (which she clearly demonstrated such intent on her apps) and would be doing all of them if she could fit it in. My D couldn't be happier with her choice of Brown. She absolutely loves it and is so glad that's where she ended up going. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Our son was and is a well-rounded person. He did not have any special EC or accomplishment, and he was accepted into a top Ivy League college. He had the academic credentials for admission (National Merit finalist, top GPA, and a top graduate of his highly regarded high school class) but nothing to set him apart from other top high school graduates except for 2 things: Northstarmom once speculated that he might have been admitted because we don't live in the Northeast and thus schools like HYP are more willing to take people from other states to promote regional diversity. That may be, but I believe he was admitted because he had a powerful essay that recounted a personal medical crisis in his life and the way he dealt with it. Not only did he grow as a person but he was also able to help others along the way, and his essay conveyed the meaning and importance of that experience in his life.</p>

<p>So I believe there is a place for a well-rounded student at HYP provided the student can demonstrate a depth of character and maturity that other students demonstrate with special ECs.</p>

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<p>DRJ wrote:
"So there is a place for a well-rounded student at HYP provided the student can demonstrate a depth of character and maturity that other students demonstrate with special ECs."</p>

<p>I think this hits on something important for all candidates, whether or not one has substantial ECs or not. It is important to demonstrate your character and personality. The essays are a great place to do that. The purpose of the essays is not to tell which EC is your passion (the EC resume can show that) but speak more to your traits and character. That needs to come across...who you are as a person. I felt that was important whether it was my BWRK or my one singular passion kid. I think their essays revealed their personalities. I think everyone needs to demonstrate who they are as people, not just WHAT they have accomplished or what they are interested in.</p>

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<p>Most of the kids on CC are BWRK's.</p>

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<p>I think the essay is crucial. It need not be about a medical crisis or other life-changing experience as was the case for DRJ4, but a highly personal one. It should never be a laundry list of achievements and aspirations; it does not have to focus on a major accomplishment or challenge. It can be about some bit of daily trivia. I recall enjoying reading the essay of a CC poster who talked about how she reluctantly took up running and somehow came to enjoy it. It was lighthearted and humorous and self-deprecating. The writer did not try to suggest she was the best jogger her state or even school have ever had; she did not suggest that her jogging caused the world to spin on its axis; nor that it was a major personal triumph. But reading it, a reader was made to feel that this was one person who had a clear-eyed view of life and should be fun to be around. </p>

<p>So, in a nutshell, there's hope for the BWRK. Just don't try to cram all ECs into a single essay.</p>

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<p>Quote:" would consider myself a BWRK because I have the academic qualifications, play two varsity sports, play piano competitively (awards at state competitions), do math team and computer science team but also write for the lit mag (starting this year), but from my paper record I don't think there is any indication that I completely threw my heart into a certain EC."</p>

<p>I think referring to yourself as a BWRK is an understatement when, in addition to superior academic achievements, you have a wide range of interests AND are highly accomplished in at least one of them (see piano, above). Rather, it much more difficult to keep that many balls in the air and still achieve at such a high level.</p>

<p>Like the OP, my son had interests in multiple areas (research, debate, tennis, music, competitive mathematics team) and was passionate about all of them. He refused to drop any of them, and we supported that, accepting that he may be a "jack of all trades, master of none". But, fortunately, he was able achieve national recognition in the first two and regional in the other three. So, while he could be called a BWRK, like the OP, he took these interests as far as he could. And I think that, more than anything else, is what the very top schools are looking for.</p>

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<p>My BWRK was recruited for her sport at a D3. That might be possible for you, too. Lots of extremely good LACs are D3. If it interests you, investigate that angle.</p>

<p>Otherwise:</p>

<p>(1) Essay-- anything that they have not read 200 times already will be a help. Marite is right-- you just have to write insightfully on a unique, real topic. My D's main essay was funny, unique, and insightful about who she really is as a person-- but it had nothing to do with accomplishments. Her secondary essay was about an EC: music (not the sport she was recruited for, but an even more passionate interest than her sport). I suspect that it is positive to be "well rounded" when you are extremely good at one thing, yet also love other things. </p>

<p>(2) Geography-- Apply outside your area. In New England, you will be more of a generic BWRK than out of the area... at Emory, Vanderbilt, U Chicago, Davidson, Rice, Reed, or Pomona. Look ouside your geographic zone and you immediately improve your chances.</p>

<p>(3) Choose matches and safeties you would really like to attend and spend effort and time on those too.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Donemom, I think you have a point about the OP, your son, and what I was saying about my own older D. BWRK doesn't have to mean dabbling in many things. A BWRK can also have a high level of achievement in several of these endeavors. They simply have more than one singular passion but they definitely have passions and achievements. That's the key...I don't think it matters if all is devoted to one area or to five areas but it is how you do them that reveals something about you. I think there needs to be achievements (the OP has some for sure) with the EC endeavors. </p>

<p>I also agree with Marite that the essay need not be focused on something big that you did. I can think of one of the many essays D2 wrote, and this particular one had nothing to do with her passion (musical theater) and focused on how she felt about her older sister leaving for college that year (the year she was an applicant, older D was a freshman in college), and reflected upon some other things. It had nothing to do with her activities though she discussed those in another essay but again, even those essays had themes about herself, and weren't so much about the EC....the EC was just the "setting" for the points she was revealing about herself. I think students get caught up on essay "topics" when the key thing is what you wish to show about yourself in the essay and THEN find a story or a few anecdotes that show those points about who you are.</p>

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<p>I agree with all of these posts. My son is going to Emory - accepted at Johns Hopkins accidentally - because we rescinded on all apps. after his Emory ED II acceptance. Somehow JH missed it. He wanted a D III school because of mulitple sports and a non-recruit. He has all the stuff - was not the top in anything except sports at a very small private school. I believe he was accepted at Emory because he presented as a real person - not just doing academics, sports, community service, camp counselor, etc. to get into college. His one essay - which was very difficult for him to write - was about being assaulted at an inner city basketball court where he thought he was playing a friendly 3 on 3 spur of the moment game. He wrote about racial problems and how he wants to continue to improve in his own way - these horrible situations. </p>

<p>It was a moving essay which I believe took him to another level in terms of person.. He also went to Emory with his Dad, met (fluke) the Dir. of Admissions and had a great conversation with him. When he returned he knew this was the school he wanted and wrote a very personal "Emory" essay. It was from the heart and one could tell reading it. I know he was one of many great candidates. </p>

<p>Pick some schools you know you would be happy with and go after them. He had 8 other schools if Emory had not worked. Show major interest and write your essays about something really unusual - they already know your grades, Ecs. Good luck!</p>

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<p>My DD was BWRK with some major passions but no statewide or national recognition, (but val of big, decent public high, NMF, National Merit Scholar, good SATII scores,). She did not apply to ivies -was not interested in them, but got accepted at top LACs with good FA/merit/needbased packages, and is currently attending great small U with good merit/fa package.</p>

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<p>Son was a definite BWRK...he applied ED to a highly selective school and was successful. He wrote his essay about him, in the backdrop of an EC....teacher rec's also helped since they discussed behavior/leadership in the classroom.</p>

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<p>I believe when you look up the definition of BWRK in The New Oxford Illustrated Dictionary you'll see the picture of a tall young woman from Texas. (Not her best side , but what can you do? ;))</p>

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<p>My D. definitely fits the BWRK profile: and she's starting to freak a little bit because it seems to her that her friends are beginning to find a "niche" and she's still unsure about what she wants to be when she grows up! She likes a lot of different things, and does not have one activity that she is passionate about. The poor kid actually is afraid there's something WRONG with that!</p>

<p>The fact is that many of her friends decided NOT to take AP math or science, and are veering into humanities classes as seniors; she's still plugging away with both AP math/science and AP English/History. She has more balanced aptitudes than most kids, and I was trying to explain to her that that is a GOOD Thing!</p>

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<p>Yes, it is a good thing. She should take the highest courses offered at her school. Colleges like this because the student has been challenged. Better a B in an AP than an A in an easier course. They weigh all of this, including college courses - my son took 4. This is why liberal arts colleges exist. One takes advantage of those first two years exploring many options. Some kids know early on in high school what they want to do. Most don't and about 60% of college students change their anticipated course of study by the end of their soph. year.</p>

<p>Most kids are like ours and I think it is a good thing. I have two older daughters - all like our son - one has found her niche as a double major as she enters her senior year. Other graduated in 2005, worked for a year in an area unrelated to her econ./Spanish major and is going to grad. school in education. Although very interested in ed. policy which came out of her econ. thesis. This is the time to explore!</p>

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<p>My D is a BWRK. She was accepted to 6 Ivies, top LACs, etc. Good SATs but not perfect. Strong classes including college summers. The key was her writing as presented in her essay. She had one meeting with an independent college counselor that was recruiting business by meeting with local HS seniors. She was roundly criticized for her college list (too many reaches). When the counselor read her essay, her only comment was "that's the kind of essay that might get you in". The dean of admissions at Williams felt strongly enough about it to hand write her a letter about her essay. Many others included personal comments. She did not write about ECs or accomplishments that were noted elsewhere in her application. She did write about a personal passion that was related to her academic work.</p>

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<p>Parents - thank you all for your thoughtful and kind responses. It is encouraging to see so many shining examples. I guess for me right now, it boils down do making good use of my summer (still haven't found that internship yet!) and writing a killer essay.</p>

<p>Sheldon</p>