<p>Hi guys! I'm a high school senior, recently deferred by Harvard. I was watching a video the other day (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XL8vBBB7o&index=1&list=PLA3ekq_dgH2J95Q0-VvWq1kn5v9bVGM9r">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XL8vBBB7o&index=1&list=PLA3ekq_dgH2J95Q0-VvWq1kn5v9bVGM9r</a>) in which an admissions officer from Stanford said that the applicant had too many leadership activities, which was actually a red flag. I'm a little worried about this - the applicant in the video had maybe four leadership positions, which I don't think of as too much. There was this emphasis in the video of "developing a theme" rather than showing a lot of breadth and being a well-rounded applicant.
My own ECs: President: Quiz Bowl Team, Co-President: Mock Trial, President (Secretary-General): Model UN, Secretary: Leo Club (school service club), Business Manager/Op-Ed Editor: School Newspaper, and Future Business Leaders of America member for four years. I understand much more the criticism that none are really eye-catching, rather than this new idea that the number is the issue.
I also attended TASP last summer and have good standardized test scores (2400 first sitting for SAT). While I totally understand the element of randomness in college admissions, especially for schools like Harvard, do you think that the number of seemingly unrelated ECs rather than focusing on a couple hurt me? Moreover, for those who watched the video- does it make sense for colleges to automatically assume that people with a lot of basic school extracurriculars are just "stacking" their resume when they could have a genuine interest in all the activities? I'm asking in part because I'm thinking of my chances for the other schools I've applied to, but also because it's just an idea I don't think gets mentioned enough, and because I know of a lot of people (myself included) who really do get pleasure out of participating in a lot of activities. </p>
<p>Also I apologize for the wordiness/stream of consciousness of this post!</p>
<p>I’ve watched the video. And you don’t have all that many. And believe me some people on this thread would kill for a 2400. What’s your class rank? SAT II’s? How were your essays? Where are you from? Ethnicity? Did you interview and if so how did it go? EC’s are only one part.</p>
<p>Edit: Don’t feel obligated to answer all of the above. But those could have to do with it too</p>
<p>@slights32 class rank/SAT IIs/essays were all good in my opinion. I have them all listed on another chance me thread. And I never thought that I had too many ECs until I watched that video - the applicant was involved in six clubs and president of four, and that was a “major red flag” apparently</p>
<p>The video only had a partial profile- you don’t know how many other positions or clubs they had. Colleges prefer quality over quantity, and claiming to be deeply involved in more things than could really be possible raises flags- that suggests resumé stacking or flat out lying. </p>
<p>I think you’re fine.</p>