<p>^ good post, eliane
*But the ultimate goal of “showing passion” is to prove how you excel in each of your endeavors, and focusing on one or two fields is the easiest way to excel (versus spreading yourself out too thin). *</p>
<p>Remember, the CA is nearly the only way a kid has to “package” himself. How he represents himself- grades, scores, LoRs, essays, ECs, etc- is what the adcoms have to go on. So, while no one segment is nesessarily killer, you just don’t want to underrepresent yourself in any area. (This assumes you meet basic academic standards.) The review process is part holistic and part a matter of satisfying the college’s institutional needs. This latter includes all sorts of things and can change yearly- the obvious ones are geographic diversity, filling classrooms and labs, having a variety of personal strengths, perspectives and interests among the freshman class, etc.</p>
<p>What ECs show is what a kid is involved with. And, with what breadth and depth. This, in turn, tells something about the kid: his ability to see, choose and and make a consistent committment to various opportunities- at school, in the community, in his field and related to his interests. Adcoms are interested in this because it “can” show: maturity, leadership, responsibility- but also compassion, teamwork, creativity, ability to identify a need and come up with solutions (or, at least, ideas,) willingness to help others (even if it chieves no personal gain, just satsfaction,) willingness to try new experiences…what kind of human he is and maybe how likely the kid is to be involved in activities the college values. And more. Including, the ability to step outside his own narrow focus.</p>
<p>“Excel.” Yes, it is impressive when a kid’s accomplishments rise. But, so often, when the kid only participated in “one or two” activities (and excelled,) the natural question was: why nothing else? And, remember that many wonderful activities offer no opportunity to excel. They are still valid and telling.</p>
<p>What’s impressive is the multiplicity of interests and the time committed (per year and through hs.) A nice, reasonable selection of activities, to show how well rounded the kid is, his ability to dedicate himself- not just to his own focused interests, but to other school and community opportunities, as well. And, over time, not ust one year or 1 hour per week, 5 weeks in the year.</p>
<p>This is not to say, spread yourself thin.<br>
And, yes, I review apps for a top school.
ps. IME, adcoms rarely speak of “passion.”</p>