The culture of our high school–a real appreciation of the arts–has most of the top ranked students taking two periods of art or music as well as 5 academics per year. So it balances the playing field and kids who take any kind of elective are not penalized. D managed to graduate top 5% while still taking art and choir each year.
And in the end, D and many others in her grade, did really well in the merit aid department when it came to talent $. Between art, music and theater scholarships, D was awarded $11k from NYU, $13k from Muhlenberg, $15k from GW, and $7k from American. That money is on top of other merit awards for leadership and academics. She was also awarded a Deans scholarship from Brandeis after the ad com went to the web page for the acappella group D started and managed in the middle of her interview. He watched a video of her group performing all the way through.
So maybe in the end we all gamed the system?! 