<p>The EC “arms race” isn’t lost on college admissions officers. They are fully cognizant about how students and families try to present themselves. The “laundry list” of clubs, the numbers of “founder of X club” is so tired and cliche it’s not even funny.</p>
<p>But students and parents still don’t realize how transparent the resume padder looks to colleges. </p>
<p>I’ve interviewed and recruited for my HYP alma mater for 20+ years. The typical applicant is very strong academically and has a what most people would consider a “good” list of ECs. But consistently, the ones who get offers – even among this amazing pool – are the jaw-dropping kids who at even 17 or 18 are the kind of kids, who if they submitted a resume to me, I would look to hire.</p>
<p>In 20 yrs, I’ve met a few. And the ironic thing? These kids are so accomplished,confident, inquisitive, intellectual-- that they are the ones who really don’t need the degree that my college would confer to them – I honestly feel that. They already are moving and shaking things around them. Their stop at my college is just one phase. My college isn’t going to make them. They are fully on the way already.</p>
<p>Perhaps some of you are the parents of one of these. If I may be so bold, probably many of your kids aren’t like this. But that’s 100% perfectly fine. One of my kids might be this. Maybe not. My other one, she’ll do fine but life will be grand w/o an Ivy degree. Either way, with either kid, I’ll be 100% fine as long as they grow into women of character – regardless of what name is printed on their college diploma one day.</p>
<p>For those of you who have kids who do ECs purely for their intrinsic value: Bravo. That’s what I’m trying to teach my girls. I’ve told them bluntly: if no one would ever know you did this, would you still do it?</p>
<p>That’s the standard that’s important for me.</p>