What If -- kids did whatever they felt like in High School?

<p>What a great group of free spirits we have here in CC!
I agree that being honest to yourself works best long term but a strong dose of realism makes all that freedom constructive to the student's goals in life.</p>

<p>You can't hope to be a medical or law student by happy triggering hours upon hours in front of a screen. Zooming in and popping your eyeballs out will not get you anywhere close to a demanding carrier ... it might be helpful in some sports or the military.
Videogames might teach persistence, focus, strategy but the huge amount of time spent
is a waste compared to what a MUN or a trip abroad can teach to the high school or college student.
A theater class can be more beneficial than the finger-brain numbing effect of videogaming. I saw recently a teary performance of a female high school student in a "dream school" admission event. Spectacularly moving.
She could sell the most expensive silk tie to the dean of admissions Dilbert. </p>

<p>Colleges repeat again and again that the rigor of courses taking in high school and succeeding doing it is one of the most important criteria of admission and future success in college.</p>

<p>Another advantage of taking college level classes in high school is that either you will receive college credit for them or your grades in the same subject freshman courses will be easily A.</p>

<p>What is better, to have easy carefree time in high school or to have it in the college of your choice?</p>

<p>AP</p>

<p>p.s.
I agree with disgradius on early reading. The best thing that parents can do to prepare their kids for success in pre-college and college is to read their kids books early and encourage them later to continue reading.
Exercise the mind and the body.</p>

<p>If someone knows how to learn then can learn almost anything even arts or sports if so inclined.</p>

<p>I feel bad because I've never really had to study at all all my years of HS..I've taken hardly any EC's, haven't played a single sport. Didn't try..at all..my entire 4 years.</p>

<p>And I got into Emory :&lt;/p>

<p>Well if I did what I felt like, I'd probably be at home all day heh. </p>

<p>The only club I really went to out of my own initial interest was chess club. Initially, I wasn't too optimistic about my ECs especially since some seem to just be time wasters but later my outlook changed. Science Olympiad for example..somewhat boring meetings but the competition(s) was really fun. Same with Math League and FBLA. Also, I'd probably independently study more APs instead of taking AP classes. I despise busy work, projects, and lame homework. I'm sure I could get the same fives on some of my AP tests solely by self studying a month before the test.</p>

<p>I'd probably start some cool clubs in my school like the Competitive Eating Club, the Defend your Faith Club, the Connect Four Club, and etc. But this is the real world and you have to have ECs and classes that impress the colleges despite their useless characteristics.(And because no one would probably join besides myself)</p>

<p>Actually, I did do what I felt like all through high school; I pursued my passions, and avoided doing anything that made me feel like I was compromising my interests or values in some way just to "put on a show" for colleges. And although I didn't get into EVERY school that I applied to, I will be a very proud part of Columbia's Class of 2013 in the fall.</p>

<p>This is an interesting thread. What strikes me is how narrow people's concepts of "doing whatever they felt like in high school" are.
Did the people who "did whatever they felt like" not go to school on mornings they didn't feel like it? Blow off a paper or final because they didn't see the value? Take a couple of weeks off in the middle of a semester to go hike in the mountains or hang out at the library? Generally people here have framed this in terms of what courses they chose, or which ECs they picked, or how much they studied vs. played video games.
Two of my kids spent their high school years as "unschoolers". Without a curriculum, courses or grades, schedules, etc. Let alone tests (except SATs), assignments, papers or homework. In this context, "EC" has no meaning. They not only had a great time doing things they loved, they didn't pay for it in narrowed college choices.
These things are possible. I wish people thought more broadly about freedom and learning.</p>

<p>(Didn't read past the first 5 posts)
I did a lot of things in order to look appealing to colleges and in doing so found things that I became passionate about (sport, service, etc.)</p>

<p>I feel like i've mostly done what I wanted in high school, because i've done a lot of self directed learning. Took some advanced classes in things I love, lots of art and music stuff, looking at languages by myself. It's working out pretty well for me.</p>

<p>To the person who wrote their essay about video games-</p>

<p>exactly. I wrote one of my essays about the current state of the economy...and how the New York Yankees missing the playoffs caused it. (huge biased yankees fan)</p>

<p>personally, I did enough stuff to get into great schools, UVA and UT's Business Honors Program, but not Harvard, Princeton, etc (I didnt apply though-They don't appeal to me at all). But, I don't care, because I didnt sacrifice any bit of myself to make my app look better. I did want to quit NHS and I didnt, but other than that, I quit full IB diploma when I wanted to, I skipped my all expenses paid SAT prep courses when I was tired, and I think I ended up okay. </p>

<p>I know a few people that did everything a college would want instead of doing teenage kind of stuff. The result: they never grew up. It's almost like some of my slightly dumb decisions made it possible for me to be ready to go to college, whereas some of my friends haven't developed socially (although they look fine on the surface) and are definitely in no condition to be traveling to the northeast for college. i think forcing yourself to do something makes you less prepared for an elite school</p>

<p>Well that's pretty much what I've done. My parents have never forced me to do anything I don't want to for the sake of getting into an "elite college". They know I don't want to go to one, and their fine with that. I took 2 honors classes because I'm actually good at those subjects, and the rest all regular prep level. I didn't really do any extra curriculars and hardly ever study. I just want to go to a big school with a good social life and decent academics, that's far away from home. Prestige has nothing to do with it, so I don't kill myself trying in highschool.</p>

<p>"never takes the time (because there <em>is</em> not time left after all the prescribed activities), to explore non-college-enhancing activities that might be more beneficial to this student in the long run? Things like water color painting, social service, six different sports for one year each, debate team in addition to MUN, or reading lots of books on existentialism even though such a class is not even offered in school, etc. etc."</p>

<p>I'm honestly confused by this quote. This is what I do, and I don't think I've ever been discouraged from doing this, nor there shouldn't be reasons to discourage this. Kids who do cookie cutter things could possibly short themselves out in the long run by the virtue of their purpose, and those who enjoy doing what they love (including watercoloring, service, and reading lots and lots of books on existentialism!) end up being happy kids with their own idea of what direction to take their life in. And in the future. </p>

<p>Seriously people, happiness and health for your own personal well-being is worth so much more than killing who you are on the inside for a college name. In fact, you may even not know who you truly are by the time you get into your "dream college" (this happened to my friend, who eventually discovered that she was completely the opposite of who she thought she was, and it is one of the worst things possible).</p>

<p>Success is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration.
If the student didn't really do the hard work then surely someone else did it for him/her.
Easy comes, easy goes.</p>

<p>"Anemomazwmata, Diavoloskorpismata" said the Oracle.</p>

<p>I did what I wanted, which wasn't a lot in terms of variation, but I was dedicated. I didn't even know that people structured their activities around what colleges wanted until I joined CC last year. Either way, it's paid of for me because I've gotten into places I never even dreamed were possible. (especially after seeing these people lol)</p>

<p>Akis I just want to say..I haven't ever studied for an ACT. I've never read the book, I've never taken a prep class. I've never taken an AP, or an Honors class (although we don't offer them). </p>

<p>And I got into Emory..so I think I've succeeded without killing myself.</p>

<p>I'm proud to say that I didn't even start to THINK about how my transcript and resume would appear to top colleges until first semester of senior year.</p>

<p>Everything I've done thus far has been purely pursuing my own personal passions. I did well in school and took challeging classes because I love to learn. My ECs all reflect my interests. However, there was a time during the frenzy of application season when I briefly wished that I had been more college-oriented in my pursuits.</p>

<p>But it worked out okay. Better than okay. :)</p>

<p>I definitely agree that students are starting to be more and more willing to sacrifice their passions, interests, and ideas in order to mold themselves into the "perfect" college applicant.</p>

<p>Well... Top colleges aren't dumb. HYP reject perfect 2400's like nothing. They have become very adept at recognizing cookie-cutter applicants. Because guess what? That's not what they're looking for.</p>

<p>Sure, they want to know that you can cope with their rigorous and demanding coursework. But after you pass a certain threshold in terms of grades and standardized tests, that's when they start to look in your essays, ECs and recommendations for a hint of the person within. </p>

<p>When I got accepted to Yale, I remember the call from my admissions officer congratulating me. He specifically mentioned one of my essays that he said really drew him toward my application. It was a completely quirky essay I wrote about a totally grungy, blue-collar passion I have. Believe me, it had nothing to do with the Model UN. </p>

<p>So... this thread should be an inspiration to all prospective college applicants: do well in school and participate, but let it SUPPLEMENT, not replace, the person you are. Because in the end, that's what top schools are searching for. ;)</p>

<p>Pink, with all due respect, you had a particular hook. I am in no way diminishing your accomplishments and I congratulate you on your successful and satisfying college admissions, but please understand that it doesn't work this way for most kids.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, I do NOT advocate changing curriculum or adding activities to please colleges. I firmly believe that pursuing the classwork and activities that are fulfilling is the right thing to do...but when it comes to being admitted to places like HYSPM, understand that it's a game of strategy and that no matter how brilliantly you follow your passions, it may not pay off. (And if it doesn't, maybe that's a good thing, hmm?) Top schools aren't looking so much for "the person you are" as they are the niche you fill. Sorry if I sound jaded (I am but that's not the point here) but what I'm trying hard to convey is that it's ok to be that cookie cutter kid. Many of you are lucky to have been raised in stable, middle class homes, to have attended excellent schools and done beautifully, and to have not yet had the experiences that set you apart from your peers. The fact that there are too many of you applying for limited spots in elite schools doesn't diminish you or your accomplishments.</p>

<p>I also want to clarify that I am not trying to dissuade people from applying to their reachiest schools. By all means, go for it. What I want to underscore is that denial--and for that matter admission--- really truly isn't a judgment of ability.</p>

<p>^^No, you're right, I DID have a hook.</p>

<p>But that still doesn't change the fact that I still pursued what I wanted during high school, and that I still ended up in a good school. I mean, it doesn't have to be Yale. My backup schools were all great schools as well. </p>

<p>The point I was making was that I didn't start thinking about how I would look to college UNTIL college applications were upon me.</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>Emory2013 what can I say, what can we say, with these stats, no study and no hook?
It sounds like a miracle.
Still someone else did the hard work for you ...
Don't expect though a "miracle" every year.
You got to do your part next, again and again, you'll accomplish a lot more than just being a statistical anomaly.</p>

<p>For me, doing whatever I wanted wouldn't have gotten me accepted to two of the HYPSM schools (I attend one of them now). It's not because I didn't have passion, and wouldn't have worked hard. Like other people on this thread, I got good results with no prep for the SATs. I did stay up till 2 or 3 doing HW often, but that was because I started working at midnight or later, after practice, talking to friends, blogging and napping. I like to think I could have made it on natural abilities. But those natural abilities didn't draw me to the kind of involvement that gets one distinguished on an app. For example, I was part of a math/sci quiz bowl group at my hs. Nice. My parents signed me up for a math/sci quiz bowl team that was run through a nat'l org. for scientists. Nicer. It was a big boost for my apps but I wouldn't have done it bc of the membership fee I had to pay myself, the commute involved and my preferring to spend time w/ school friends rather than strangers. It was the same sort of group, same questions, but with one I could say I was a national finalist with a respected org. and the other I couldn't. Getting into elite colleges over the past 3 or 4 years has come to require freakish achievements, stats, and ability along with plain luck and a good hook. My 16-year old brain didn't fully comprehend (or care about?) that, but my folks did. And stuff like that is at least part of what got me in. Hooray.</p>

<p>Doing what you want works well if you were raised well and you have a good group of people around you to provide intellectual and emotional support. Although I would never defend the public schools on this topic (if you want to know why have the highest incarceration rate in the world, stop by a lower-middle class high school the next time you get the chance), a lot of voodoo parenting methodologies like unschooling are generally just harmful as our deteriorating education mills. Not that there aren't a lot of good unschooling outcomes and great public schools, but they tend to be the exception to the rule. </p>

<p>If you want to take this kind of route, look into TNS in Newark, DE and Sudbury Valley in Framingham, MA. Both schools are focused on providing a liberal (i.e. real) education, have excellent people on staff, and possess a record at getting alumni into good colleges.</p>

<p>Edit: It has also been my observation that most of the kids getting into elite colleges spent a good deal of time with a metaphorical shoe shoved into their behinds by their otherwise loving parents. Either that, or they fell into a crowd of overachieving students (who generally fall into the former category themselves). Not that either are bad, but they make for very interesting outcomes.</p>

<p>I feel that this should be done out of kids wanting to do these things and not out of parental pressure. The kids who are really cut out for the top schools often do some of these things purely because they want to, many other kids would be happier and better off elsewhere. I took the hardest courses avaliable to me, did well in all of them except AP History, did well on standardized tests, and have stuck with drama club for 4 years and Science Olympiad for 3 years, and even put in some service over the summers. However, I did these things because I wanted to do them, because I thought they were fun and challenging, not because my parents pushed me so I could get into an elite college.</p>

<p>Elite colleges know the difference between someone who does these things because they want to and someone who does them solely to impress colleges. It's lost on many people, and in a lot of cases this makes the difference between an acceptance and a rejection between students with similar qualifications.</p>