Extracurriculars, ideas/suggestions?
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Anonymous
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Thinking ahead for my children not in high school…
What are some good extracurriculars, clubs, and such to get them involved in that would set them apart on top tier college applications? They currently pursue sports and an instrument. |
Anonymous
| The good extracurriculars are the ones they enjoy. Please don’t try to curate your children’s ECs for college applications. |
Anonymous
| Whatever they're motivated by passion for. |
Anonymous
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Then the best extracurriculars for your children are sports and an instrument.
Give them as many opportunities as you can to explore their interests, but the best activities are the ones they love. |
Anonymous
| Agree that it’s not the specific activity, it’s what the student does with it. |
Anonymous
The specific EC doesn't matter, but rather the depth of the EC. If they are a recruited athlete, it doesn't matter what else they do. You can always suggest they get involved with activities that are adjacent to a sport or instrument if it seems like something they might actually be interested in doing...volunteer with a charity that donates sports equipment or helps kids attend summer sports camps (several of these)...think similarly for an instrument if they are not winning awards for their playing. |
Anonymous
| There is no EC available to the average smart motivated kid in American high schools that will “set them apart” by itself. But there are lots and lots of things a kid can do decide to bring their own dedication and depth to what it means to them to be involved and tie that into their personal statement etc. But to do that they really need to figure out what they love, not what do you think looks good to college admissions. |
Anonymous
| Pathetic, OP. At a certain point, you can’t just “get them” involved in things. They have to want to do it. |
Anonymous
+1 if they want to deepen involvement that could mean for the instrument, playing in additional ensembles in and out of school, leadership roles like drum major in marching band, working at a music camp. For sports (other that performing at a level to be a recruited athlete) dedicating effort to practice so he can improve, aiming to be team captain, work at a sports camp, referee for youth sports, etc Do what you love in a variety of ways, because that's enjoyable. |
Anonymous
Exactly! They need to do the highest level activity in their "passion" area. |
Anonymous
| OP here. I’m not looking to force my kids into anything. Im just looking for new ideas of things to try. They are young enough that new interests are still forming. |
Anonymous
No. You specifically asked for ECs that would set them apart on college applications. Stop changing your story. Accept that you’re being ridiculous. |
Anonymous
BS. If that were really the case, you’d be posting on the parenting forum or ES forum. You’d say something like, “My kid has done basketball and dance lessons for the past 3 years. What other activities are your kids involved in?” Instead you’re posting on th College & University forum. 
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Anonymous
Not changing stories. Looking for new ideas beyond the typical that will also set them apart in the years ahead. |
Anonymous
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sports... lacrosse, crew, fencing, field hockey
volunteer ... not just the SSL hours rack up 1000 hours |