I’m making a list of what they can point out as other interest.
Over the summer my DD and DS picked up a hobby of challenging each other with 3x3 rubics cube. They watched Youtube and learned the algorithm, DD can solve all sides within 90second while DS does it within 45second. DS is now trying to do it with one hand(took too long so far)
Uhm, is this something I can point out as a hobby? and how would I do it, provide a link to a video as proof?
DD likes to draw anime character, only pencil black and white but she does it all on her own on a special book. To me they look nice, I mean I couldn’t do it and I’m proud of her initiative to pick it up on her own(I try to encourage her). Is this also something I can show?
Honestly I don’t think this would be seen as an extraordinary talent. I would not mention it. There are lots of kids who can do Rubik’s cube tricks. This is not unusual.
When contemplating content for an application think of what the application’s intended purpose is from the perspective of the person evaluating the student. It is generally a means to evaluate the candidates ability to thrive academically and contribute to the schools community.
There will always be a presumption that the applicant is highlighting the most relevant, impactful and impressive skills or attributes they have to offer.
Is your child’s Rubics cube abilities significant within this context?
I know you are looking to find “interests” to list so I am not being dismissive just suggesting a way to think about it.
My son enjoys the hobby and certainly shared it in his interviews when discussing personal interests.
But, he’d taken it somewhat further than it sounds like your son has (for the moment anyway!) Yes, he had taught himself the various algos for solving and continually worked to improve his times. But, he’d also done a deep dive into cube construction and tinkered with cubes to improve their physical performance, and also competed regularly.
We’d often drive 1-3 hours (!) to get him to competitions. Though his solve times dropped to around the 10 second mark he was never truly competitive in terms of winning competitions (most larger competitions attract kids who can solve in 5-7 seconds…the official WR is 3.47 seconds and no I’m not kidding). That said, his depth of interest and perseverance is something that I think stood out in interviews. He was really into it. And that I think is something that a school may find of interest.
Not sure whether many competitions are being held these days but if so you’ll find them here:
Even if your DS and DD aren’t competitive in terms of having a chance to win, they may find it fun to be officially timed, and it may spark further interest. Good luck!
That might be fun to mention in an interview but, IMO, that is stretching it for an application. I also think if you are stretching so hard you need to take a deep breath. Most of the kids who are applying to these schools are talented and interesting, trying to show how quirky and unique your kids are is going to fail.
(I am not even sure there is a space for hobbies in the app, the ones we did did not have that kind of space. It had a section for ECs and I would not count rubics cube as an EC)
DD1 mentioned in her app that she won her middle school “no-hands” pizza eating contest 3 years in a row. Also mentioned it in her interview. I expect it made zero difference in her being admitted but wouldn’t be surprised if it made the AO chuckle and helped her be remembered.
3-5 seconds is amazing! Under 10 seconds will be quite impressive, maybe I should bribe them to practice more … just kidding.
I’m always amazed at kids who can solve cubes as I can’t and maybe don’t have much interest in it. My priorities as parent is different than kids. I was excited that they were able to learn on their own instead of being coached at. Where we are there are all different kids of Clubs with exorbitant prices, I struggled with admitting them to one.
The application may have a place to talk about something they learned on their own or an interest or what they did during covid. This could be used for that. I think it DOES show what your child is interested in and how he pursued it. Whether he’s at a point where it is record-setting matters less.
Iow, this doesn’t have to be an accomplishment. It can be about who your kid is.
I will put a note, maybe there’s a place where they can talk about this in their essays. Through writing too this can work backward like writers can find more meaning and purpose of the things they do. I think it’ll be a good exercise.
Couldn’t agree more and I apologize if my comment seemed to imply that. What I was trying to get at was just what you posited - it shows what your child is interested in and how he pursued it.
I think the crux lies with the latter. Schools definitely love to see intrinsic motivation, self direction, etc. But depth (passion) matters and can be reflected in all sorts of ways.
Somewhat related aside - this is not to say that a kid who hasn’t found any passions is a non-starter for an AO so long as they can exhibit potential for same. We all know the schools want kids who will lean into the community and become a part of.
and how would I do it, provide a link to a video as proof?