Pro or Con: "Well Rounded" Applicants

Applying to College
1

<p>After reading extensively about what colleges and universities are looking for recently, it's been noted that there seems to be a shift from the "well rounded" renaissance type applicant to one with a passion in a specific area or two. </p>

<p>I think that it's good to showcase extreme interest in a particular area that correlates with and applicant's interest, but I do not see how being a "well rounded" applicant does not show the same amount of interest. Granted, you have people that do a myriad of activities to add lines to their resumes, but as a student with over a two page resume, I can say that for me, at least all of my activities were the RESULT of an interest in (not specifically in one particular area) but at least in "broadening my educational horizons".</p>

<p>To give you a clue to what i've done, I go to an arts school and study theater extensively, as well as am ranked 1 in my school, which is the number 2 highest performing academic school in my district (number one accepts students based on academic merit, ours is artistic), and have spent over two thousand hours in my community and local politics. I am interested in this discussion cause in reading chances threads, and on my admissionschances.com profile, I've read and received criticism for not showing a particular interest, as well as praise for showing interest in many areas, so I was hoping a thread would serve as some clarification for the merits or consequences of being a well rounded applicant. </p>

<p>To me, I think they should be considered almost equally, and am a little alarmed at the direction colleges seem to be going. I think notable community/regional awards in many different areas should be equal at Least to a state award in mathematics. I think this should be the case, (even though it is hard to measure "effort expended" in both types of applicants), because I think it is more difficult to excel in many areas, and that we have seen many times over that geniuses in math have become famous composers, and vice versa, and famous actors becoming politicians, and vice versa, and a student of calligraphy becoming the CEO/Founder of Apple, Pixar Corporations :-), among others. </p>

<p>I wonder if there will be some sort of reversal of the current trend, or now that the movement seems to be toward specialization, if being "well rounded" would be considered to add to a campus' diversity. I think this applies only to pretty much the top schools.</p>

2

<p>"Well rounded" seems to mean that for top universities, you should have high GPA, high SAT scores, good essays, and notable ECs. They don't just want someone who is super good at taking tests but has no extra-curriculars. But yes they do look for passion/depth in one or more areas as well.</p>

3

<p>I agree mostly with vicissitudes. Colleges want well-rounded (read kickass) GPA, SAT, SA[essay], EC.</p>

<p>I think however that your regional admissions officer might pitch your cause more if you had demonstrated passion, and accolades to go with, in something, whether it be modern Swahili literature, feminism, directing/writing plays, etc.</p>

4

<p>i agree, i think high test scores and high GPAs are a granted, especially for the top schools. but how about choosing between an applicant who is "well rounded" and one that is more specialized?</p>

5

<p>Cool people are agreeing with me! :)</p>

6

<p>CON, you MUST be a PERFECT academic automaton to be accepted ANYWHERE. I got all A's and a B in my freshman year and was rejected from Compton Community College,so I won't get in anywhere else and am doomed to a life of mediocrity and homelessness OMG LOLZORS!!!111</p>

7

<p>I think it was the fact that you put 'LOLZORS!!!111' on your application that made Compton reject you.</p>

8

<p>OMG I thot colege wnted hum0r haha lol i wuz rong</p>

9

<p>i would think they want to see people who can do everything but love one thing especially??? I dont know.. I would like an answer as well...</p>

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<p>yea i think it would be a good discussion as well if we take the bait seriously :)</p>

11

<p>yeah, I consider myself "well rounded" but unfortunately too "round"....I don't have anything SUPER special.
I play clarinet and piano passionately, I love math and science, I have been published as a poet (okay I was 8 during my literary hey-day), I compose music and play it, I am involved in student government, I tutor, live and work on a farm, I am a web designer, I play varsity soccer, am president of the spanish club, and I have a 4.0 GPA/2240 SAT. But you know what? I've gotten very little recognition beyond regional things, for anything, so I'm doomed to just look like a "quantity over quality" person.</p>

12

<p>In my opinion, i think that could be a hook, just because you've laid the foundation for many types of activities later on. You might not pursue all or most of them even, but still, I think that's a hook because it shows willingness to finally find a topic of expertise to concentrate on later in life, that you're open to new experiences, whereas others might confine themselves. But that's just me, what do other people think? Especially with this seeming "shift" in college admissions.</p>

13

<p>How odd...our ec's are eerily similar...</p>

<p>I play piano/compose and play music, been published, LOVE math, student gov't, tutor, live and work on a dairy farm, web designer...</p>

14

<p>WHOA you're my new favorite person haha</p>

15

<p>So what do people think are the differences (positive and negative) for breadth and depth anyway? Besides resume padding, of course.</p>

16

<p>hey don't hate on compton</p>

<p>NWA - straight outta compton</p>

17

<p>There is nothing wrong with being well rounded. Demonstrating accomplishments in many areas is positive. Unfortunately, many of the applicants to the very selective colleges have strong SATs, high grades and class rank and an impressive list of EC's and non-academic accomplishments. Having exceptionally strong passion and accomplishment in one or two areas can help you stand out from this crowd of exceptional students. Colleges are looking for students who bring unique skills and who are also likely to show success and become distinguished alumni. Having a strong passion can also be important for essays. An essay which reflects your passions and unique characteristics can help to give the adcoms a feeling that they know something about you and you are different than the thousands of other well qualified applicants.</p>