I’ve read countless articles and blogs about getting into a selective college. I’m 15 (so I still have some time) and freshman year… hasn’t been the most perfect. I’ve gotten some B’s, but what’s done is done and I just want to focus on working harder the upcoming years of high school.
A lot of students are well-rounded. And that’s great. But getting into a top college doesn’t necessarily look for that- they want to see a student with one or two areas of interest that are deeply developed. I’m part of several things- Model UN, National Honor Society, Archery, a state-wide leadership board, Speech, and a couple programs in my school. I don’t want to be a jack of all trades and master of none, and I know that I should probably narrow down my interests. But I can’t. Everything I do is something that I care about, and dropping even one of those would affect me. I don’t know what to do. Do I have a chance at getting in, while being well-rounded? Or are my chances extremely low…
There is nothing wrong with being well rounded. You are right about the selective colleges looking for something that will make you standout among thousands of other well qualified applicants. Everything mentioned make you look relatively average. However, if you won national or international awards in meaningful clubs or any kind of a hook it will give you admissions advantage. Since you’ve read countless articles and blogs, you know that the admission rate for the selective schools such as the Ivys are in the single digit range. Most of the ones who are rejected have perfect or near perfect gpa and test scores, as well as being very impressive ECs. But as you stated, if all of the ECs are very important to you and they make you who you are, then go for it. You don’t always have to go to Harvard to get a great education and college experience. You shouldn’t try to fit a circle into a square.
I have heard admissions officers from colleges (including some top colleges) say that they are looking to create a well rounded class – and that includes some well rounded students and some students with different spikes/talents etc. Don’t life your life to create a college application – be the best “you” you can be, stay true to your different interests and you will find a great college home.
Actually, what’s often surprising about students in the more selective schools is how well-rounded many of them are. The kids I’ve known who got into top schools were good at many things, it’s actually quite humbling, lol. So pursue your interests since they mean a lot to you. Continue doing well in school. You’re absolutely on the right track, and it sounds like you lead a full, fun life which will lead to a good college and an interesting college experience.
“But getting into a top college doesn’t necessarily look for that- they want to see a student with one or two areas of interest that are deeply developed.”
Just wrong. It’s depth and breadth, done the right way. Nor do you need national or intl awards (c’mon, few kids have these and they have no lock on an admit.) And spike is not about limiting yourself, doing something to an extreme, winning some award or being the only kid you know who’s doing it.
A well-rounded class of well-rounded individuals. Interesting kids who’ve put in the right efforts.
You don’t need to narrow down your interests (certainly not when you’re a freshman and don’t yet inderstand what they look for.) Try to learn directly from the colleges, not blogs or other people’s articles or a big anonymous forum. Be wise.
Well-roundedness is a strength than a weakness because it is a quality that shows your versatility. With that said, you are right in the sense that you need that extra “spike” that reflects a specific passion. As of now, take your time to explore your interests. The spike does not necessarily have to be a single field of discipline; it can be interdisciplinary as well. Perhaps try to find commonalities or overarching themes among your current interests. Also, try to reflect on an inspiring or memorable experience–what was the agenda of your favorite MUN conference? Introspection will naturally give you the answer. I hope this helps.