<p>Often when I'm reading articles or listening to adcoms speak, they mention "passion in your extracurriculars." </p>
<p>So what exactly is this passion that they're searching for, especially in the top tier colleges? For example, if a student plays piano exceptionally, can he stand out as "passionate" by not only winning competitions, but by composing his own music and selling it to a record label/iTunes? Can a dedicated tennis player show passion by teaching lessons to younger children? What kind of passion do colleges seek?</p>
<p>I think you have a really good definition of passion when you have those examples.</p>
<p>Passion turns something you do into something you are, like once you get into the college you want, you don’t stop the activity cold. You would be doing your passion even if you didn’t think it looked good on a college application. Maybe (even better) you would even be doing your passion if it took away from things that looked good in your college application. Maybe you would do it later after college even if it didn’t make a lot of money. Or maybe even if college didn’t work out at all, you would still pursue your passion instead of college.</p>
<p>I see. Thanks for your opinion. So what level of passion would my examples be? High? Average? Basically, how do colleges conclude how passionate you are in something?</p>
<p>I’ve once heard an adcom say that “if one part of an application is lacking, everything else needs to be that much better.” So lets say someone has those examples of passion, an extremely good essay and recommendations, but about 5 B’s. How is this applicant viewed by an Ivy League school?</p>
<p>The impact of those Bs will depend on which school, which classes, performance of other students at the high school and which year they were earned. An applicant who racks up 5 Bs second semester of junior year is in a different position than an applicant who earned 5 Bs in AP classes freshman year.</p>
<p>Not quite. I personally think the word ‘passion’ should be deleted from CC, as it is misunderstood and then mis-relayed over and over. You can be passionate about, oh, say, mowing the lawn in a particularly precise way, turn it into a business-- and it won’t matter one whit to the adcoms. It’s not college relevant, nor does it show the skills and personal qualities those colleges (especially competitive and up,) want to see. Lots of kids think their passion for reading, playing an instrument, crafts, little kids, travel, is “it.”</p>
<p>What pursuing piano represents is that you stick with an activity that has presumed levels of mastery; the competitions somewhat underscore that. That’s good. Not because of ‘passion,’ but the commitment and skill level you pursued. The challenges we can recognize. And, the somewhat measurability. Same goes for some sports, rising in math competitions, regional roles in some activity, etc.</p>
<p>Lots of kids speak of writing some software or app, starting a blog, publishing a letter to the editor, writing something they feel is a great book, teaching themselves a language- and yes, selling something on ebay, etsy, iTunes, whatever. That’s available, with today’s technology. That doesn’t represent the quality of your efforts. It doesn’t necessarily show adcoms what makes you a compelling candidate. How do they know what that adds up to, in terns of you as a freshman at their campus?</p>
<p>well ,let me give you a good definition of passion. in MIT way.</p>
<p>Passion is one thing for what you’ll strive for. it’ll make your application stand out. But to be passionate, you’ll need to get some medals. it’s medals what will made you look passionate. courtesy to some cool people. and don’t go to schools which don’t have IB, AP. because</p>
<p>Lookingforward, if you made a business out of mowing lawns, and it was successful, adcoms most definitely WOULD care. You have a very good boost to your resume if you made your own business. No offense, but I don’t think your post was very accurate. Most of those things that you mentioned in your last paragraph would be a great thing to have for college. It shows that you care enough/are good enough to have (insert your examples here).</p>
<p>Maybe. Maybe not. Not because of ‘passion.’ No guarantee your own biz is any boost. Can’t make up for other weaknesses for a top school. Especially if it looks like you can’t keep up with their academics.</p>