Question: I’ve heard a ton of debate over whether colleges prefer kids in high school who are overall good at everything, or who are pretty good at everything with one thing that they’re really good at. So which one is it? Should I base my high school extracurriculars and electives around a certain field/subject, or do a little bit of everything?
The director of admissions at a top 5 LAC said that they look for kids who are ranked nationally or internationally at some activity. That does not sound to me like a form of “pointed” that one can go about simply creating.
You are going to a school where you will be required to try a number of different things and participate in a number of different activities.
Stay open to the possibilities and alert to what you are enjoying. There is no doubt in my mind that your choices will accurately reflect who you are if you do this.
It cannot be said enough – do not do things because you think they will make you the kind of person a college wants. Instead when the time comes (and you haven’t even started high school yet!) ,look for a college where the person you have chosen to be will be happy and challenged.
I really recommend that you read at least the first 50 pages of the book "Excellent Sheep ".
Do what you enjoy because you enjoy it. Then you will be able to show who you are to colleges. Do not pick extracurriculars just to get into college; that strategy may even backfire if it feels manufactured and not genuine to colleges. Have fun while in high school and find your passions along the way.
And colleges choose a mix of round and pointy. At an event for alumni and their children at Vassar, we did a mock interview committee and there were examples of both that were chosen. When someone asked the director of admissions which of three students he would have chosen, he liked a well rounded candidate… but noted that, in a real committee, there would be more students and a mix would be chosen.
FWIW, the three non-legacy/recruited athletes who got into HY & B from my son’s class were all classic “well rounders”. Lots of things they did well but no “spikes”.
HS is a time where you should explore things. You can explore in one area (e.g., music or sports) or many. You will never have a time in your life where it is so easy (and free) to get involved in so many different things. I would suggest trying different things freshman year and then see what you are interested in.