<p>I have been browsing through many threads on "What Are My Changes?" and keep coming across ridiculous extracurricular accomplishments - nationally ranked at this, started this nonprofit organization, president of such and such...you get the idea. It's a bit frightening to see how ridiculously accomplished the students are that are vying for spots at Ivy League schools.</p>
<p>My extracurriculars are relatively impressive - I'm ranked 2nd in the nation and 9th in the world for competitive rock climbing. However, I train upwards of 20 hours per week - this along with my rigorous IB schedule eats up my time. I also write for the school newspaper, the school's literary magazine, and am involved in volunteer programs, but these seem meaningless compared to the aforementioned ECs.</p>
<p>I suppose my main question is...how do universities really view ECs, assuming that one's test scores and GPA are extremely high (which mine are)? Is it looked down upon to be focused on one EC that you are successful at? Do you REALLY have to have leadership positions in prestigious academic programs for colleges to view your ECs as relevant? I'd appreciate some feedback on this.</p>
<p>They would much rather see what you’ve done with rock climbing then the CC laundry list of 50 ECs with no national level accomplishment. Leadership in school clubs will not impress top colleges.</p>
<p>I agree with Redroses. Your involvement in rock climbing is a bit unique, plus you seem to be very good at it. It will nicely complement your high test scores/GPA. </p>
<p>It differs school to school, but at an information session I attended at Columbia for example, the admissions officer said they give equal weight to students who are pretty involved/passionate in a few activities, and a student who bases their entire life around a single activity. An extremely well-rounded student, versus one who eats and sleeps rocket science would be looked upon equally.</p>
<p>This all reassuring, thank you. I was just a bit worried because I devote all of my time to my sport and I don’t have time to pursue other “impressive” activities.</p>
<p>Actually I’ll go out on a limb here and say that if you have the stats to back your application up you’ll get into HYPS level schools. Schools want quirky people (or people with quirky interests) such as yourself so they can brag about how diverse they are. My sister who is a Harvard student told me about how she met this person at prefrosh that set the world record for speed crawling and used the donations he/she got from sponsors to support a nonprofit. You’re not as interesting as that person, but I think you’ll do fine (:</p>