<p>I don’t think the notion is that kids should pursue unusual activities for the sake of being unusual (juggling cats while riding a unicycle) or that they have to be developed to a point that is adult level and “perfect.” My kids each had interesting, somewhat unique EC’s (not related to school) but they weren’t at “high” levels doing so, they hadn’t invented or perfected anything – they just showed interest in something that was still mainstream, but in a way that was a bit off the beaten path, that’s all. I strongly believe you have to have something that sets you apart, though. But interesting doesn’t necessarily mean “odd” or “unusual” or “quirky.”</p>
<p>From my experience, the kids don’t feel they are developing anything…they are pursuing their interests. They often reach a high level because they are naturally driven and focused. This is the “it” IMO, that many schools are looking for…it can’t be taught!</p>
<p>I also think many schools are looking for kids that have unusual personal insight into society. They are able to write those witty essays that can take the most mundane of topics and make them interesting. They are clever people that will add to the campus atmosphere. Again, I don’t feel this can be taught.</p>
<p>I could come up with more but my point is there is no one “it.” If a student feels they are doing something to game the college application they are probably not doing “it.” Not everyone is able to demonstrate these unusual characteristics at 17. That is why, again IMO,we see awesome students/ future movers and shakers, comming from all sorts of universities.</p>
<p>Telling a high schooler they have to somehow set themselves apart from the herd is, for most high schoolers, going to result in a deer in the headlights look. What’s more useful is telling them that they don’t need to follow in lockstep what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to just join clubs or activities at school. You don’t have to worry about being interested in something that no one else is doing. </p>
<p>When D1 was a high school junior, I noticed that a few of her friends who’d been involved in our synagogue’s youth group activities were no longer taking part. Their parents were convinced that their children were wasting their time, because it wouldn’t look good on their college applications. They encouraged their kids to take up other activities that, the parents (or their GCs?) were convinced, would look better to adcoms. It didn’t really make any difference of course in admissions; for all I know, D1’s long-term involvement and increasing leadership role in the “timewaster” activity might’ve been more appealing to admissions folks.</p>
<p>I think the second (setting yourself apart from the herd) flows naturally and authentically from the first (don’t need to follow in lockstep what everyone else is doing). My kids followed their own interests, which naturally led to doing things that set them apart (interesting, but not of the juggle-cats-on-the-unicycle level of quirkiness - just things that make you go, hmm, that sounds interesting). I think half of high school club positions are popularity contests anyway, so why not zag where everyone else zigs?</p>
<p>I can’t find the article, but Scott Adams wrote about how he’s not superlative at any one thing–drawing, cartooning, working in an office, etc etc–but it’s the combination of all of those things that gave him his unique perspective/edge/bag of tricks. I’ve always liked that.</p>