<p>hey guys....i just was wondering if there are any fellow dancers on cc who share a similar situation. although i most certainly care the most about school and have been a great student, outside of the classroom, i am an extremely committed dancer. i dance at least 14 hours per week, am the captain of my dance company, and founded a high school regional dance team that i run for my school. nearly all of my extracurriculars, work experience, and even my common app essay pertains to dance. </p>
<p>the question is this: should i be worried that although i have exemplified a clear dedication to one particular thing throughout high school, are colleges going to look down upon it because it isn't necessarily academic? i just worry that colleges are going to read my application and resume and say "why the hell does this girl want to study? seems to me like she has more passion for ballet than she does for medicine" but in reality, that is not true at all. i still show a very precise interest in science, through my course choices, sat subject tests taken, the university program i am in for science and medicine, and a few science related extra- curriculars, such as New Jersey Science League.</p>
<p>does anyone have a similar scenario? even if its not dance, does anyone have any insight about non-academic extra curriculars?</p>
<p>Most of the girls I have met at Harvard are passionate about something outside school,in addition to fabulous academics.One girl I met is a championship equestrian ,another has been scuba diving around the world .My own son danced at SAB, the School of American Ballet, for 9 years (school for NYC Ballet) often called "the Harvard of ballet schools ". He probably danced 15-18 hours a week .He had a 3.8 average ,and was a legacy, but didn’t get in .We were pretty sure he would get in, as there are so few male dancers at H . I think many,if not most H admits have strong ECs .I know my son submitted a tape dancing 2 different variations . Are you planning to do this ? Good luck!!</p>
<p>My S, who is doing a gap year like most British schooled kids, is going to be at Harvard and in large part bc of the great dance programs. He is a composer who writes ballet music and he was impressed when he met the director of dance (and that the Music Department has a course on the history of ballet music) and the members of the HBC. I know of one of the finalists for the new director of dance position and he is amazing-- if he comes then dance will be even more incredible–and I am sure the other finalists must be great as well…In short, aside from attending conservatory or a school where you can major in dance (and for strong academic institutions I think Barnard/Columbia is unique), Harvard will meet your expectations.</p>