Also keep in mind that “you want to go to Stanford” because that is a prestigious college you have heard of. THere are many elite Liberal Arts colleges you should look into as well.
Admittedly, I haven’t read all the replies to your query. Based on my research you can take one of two paths. As seen on other threads, you can create a list of lies and exaggerations that you think will appeal to the college of your choice and then live with yourself when you’re “outed”.
OR
You can take the high road. That means figuring out something that really turns you on. Something you want to accomplish more than anything else in life. Then throw yourself in all the way. Forget youtube and online games. Just become the person of your dreams. Then you will be attractive to a college that is suited to you and you to it.
Let me tell you how it turns out, at least from one perspective. My son is a top scholar and an accomplished actor. So far, “elite” schools could care less. That means he is probably going to become an elite student at some flagship state school AND I, his dad, will save a ton of money!
I know this all seems a little harsh but life is harsh some times and you’re obviously ahead of your peers and can handle it.
The idea kids are “programmed” doesn’t sit with me. I think the wise kids get off their bums and do more than what their hs offers at 3pm. If they do the research or some solid community service they are still doing it. And it beats all the kids/parents who sit back and protest the others are just doing it for college apps. This isn’t much different than adults taking certain steps to enhance their careers.
What top colleges do you suppose want anti-social kids, no matter their scores? Not the tippy top privates.
In the end, what matters is the balance and some responsibility in some choices. And it’s certainly not about exclusively pursing “passions,” if those don’t show what the college looks for.
The “true picture” is what shows. Not our assumptions that activated kids are gaming something.
What I’m saying is that there are a ton of books, videos, chat boards etc…that are simply telling these kids what and how to get in to the top tier schools(outside of grades). MOST of these kids aren’t/won’t be following there passion or anything else. They will be doing it because it follows the path laid out before them to at least give them the best opportunity to gain admittance. An example would be people tell them don’t spread yourself over too many EC’s or clubs, comes off as simply padding…so instead limit yourself to 2-3 and put it a lot of time. These kids have then been given the “best” route…even though they may truly be passionate about 1…they will take 3 and no more to “fit” into what a college wants.
Why do you think there is an 8th grader on this site asking what EC’s he/she needs for IVY? They want to learn(beyond grades) what they HAVE to do just to TRY and gain admittance. What are the best clubs, organizations, charities etc…not what they would do or have a natural passion for if it goes against what the colleges want. Unless you have 1 exceptional talent or have done 1 exceptional thing(start up business, 1st place national etc…) you better follow these guidelines to give yourself a chance.
“Passion” is misunderstood. It should be replaced with an idea of breadth and depth, taking on some challenge and responsibility and trying to have some impact.
More CC folks worry about padding, but that’s not when a kid makes time for several worthy pursuits and then also has some valid hs interests and joins those clubs and/or does those sports and keeps up with music lessons, etc. And fits in time for some dedicated volunteer work. I’ve never seen an adcom accuse a kid of padding, though it comes up on CC often. What matters is the pattern of pursuits makes sense, represents the kid’s ability to extend himself.
To me, padding is more when the kid founds the pie cub and makes a bfd of some small, inconsequential efforts and nothing adds up. A good rule of thumb is some based on your own interests and future goals, some for the group (in your hs, in your cultural or religious group etc,) and some for the community, because you can see the need.
This 8th grader may be asking, but he won’t get far if he doesn’t have what it takes too actually process what sorts of responsibilities he can find and take on. Vision matters. That’s not a matter of just “doing what I like,” excluding other experiences and opportunities.
^^agree with @lookingforward. Our kids who got into the schools the OP is dreaming about did not really “pursue” these schools…rather, they both did and “pursue” what they loved to the HIGHEST level. Neither of their pursuits really had anything to do with their high school. There seems to be a lot of confusion about “needing” this or that to get into the “elite” schools…but, frankly there is no “one” thing that they are looking for…
…Our kids did not do anything athletic (they could care less about athletics), one joined 1 club and the other joined no clubs, they did not have any time for “bogus” community service hours but they did make time for those that really mattered to them…they were constantly on the move. To be frank, their high school had no “real” clue as to what their accomplishments were (outside of being top academic students) since they never talked about it outside of immediate family members or close friends…they did their thing without having a “dream” school(s)…and guess what…the schools you are seeking all wanted them.
…their high school and their counselors only “found out” when they had to fill out their Naviance along with their mandatory pre-college meeting for their recommendations…
@lookingforward I like your post, especially the idea of replacing the overused word “passion” with “taking on some challenge and responsibility and trying to have some impact.” It’s not a simple matter of creating a supposedly impressive check list of EC’s and offices held. When it comes time to actually apply, you need to be able to communicate that, as @lookingorward said, you took on some challenge and responsibility and had some impact.
As for the OP, I still think 9th grade is a good time to explore and find out what he/she likes. There are a lot of standard clubs that can be really good such as speech & debate, mock trial, Model UN, robotics, Science Olympiad, FBLA, DECA, etc the list goes on and on. Just because these are common EC’s doesn’t mean that you can’t use them to stand out. But you have to do more than just go to weekly meetings. You need to actually accomplish something with the EC. Yes it’s also good to think outside the box. But like @lookingforward, I’ve seen kids at our high school who start a new club with 3 members (who are the Pres, VP and treasurer, usually) which accomplishes next to nothing and disappears as soon as they leave (only to be “reinvented” a year later by some enterprising new freshman or sophomore).
@rednecktiger good luck to your son with his admissions decisions. He sounds like one of my kid’s classmates who is a top student, 2400 SAT, NMF, nervously waiting to hear back from elite schools (deferred from his SCEA school) and second guessing the fact that theater was one of his main EC’s. At most high schools the theater department is not structured in a way to shower the kids with honors and awards that they can flash in front of adcoms. Future theater kids (who are aiming for elite schools) might consider entering speech/debate tournaments in events like dramatic interp, humorous interp or duo acting. It’s a way to utilize/improve acting skills while also picking up awards including potentially at the state and national level, which seems to be the way the elite admissions game is played.