If your child was accepted at a Top 20 School, what were their extracurriculars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP I see posts like OP’s on here so often but at our school (independent feeder school not in DVM or NYC), those kinds of ECs are almost unheard of. Kids play varsity sports, do things like write for the school paper, theater, debate, and each year 25- 30 out of 100 seniors get into Ivy/top 15. I’ve never heard of anyone publishing any research let alone develop an AI service used by real corporate clients

Same outcomes at our non-DMV private.

But kids do unusual sports outside of school (fencing; sailing; squash; equestrian) and that gets noticed esp if there are accolades.
PT Jobs/internships too.

Niche hobbies (woodworking; agricultural related; beekeeping; birdwatching; urban farming) are also growing more common.

But no businesses with corporate clients etc.

Same outcomes at our DMV private.

Don’t worry, high schoolers publishing “ground breaking” research in respected journals is not the norm.

[Anonymous]

3 year varsity baseball, co-capitan (all district 2 years) classical guitar, eagle scout

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP I see posts like OP’s on here so often but at our school (independent feeder school not in DVM or NYC), those kinds of ECs are almost unheard of. Kids play varsity sports, do things like write for the school paper, theater, debate, and each year 25- 30 out of 100 seniors get into Ivy/top 15. I’ve never heard of anyone publishing any research let alone develop an AI service used by real corporate clients

That's because the kids at this school get in because of the wealth and accomplishments of the parents. In the normal world, students tend to need to distinguish themselves beyond theater club.

What do you mean? This parent dare not donors. These days, you need 7-8 figure donation to move the needle on admissions at a top 20

a kid working on cars and getting paid as a part time job is retro authentic, and an absolute gem on the application - rich parents funding wood working hobby meh

How is woodworking a rich people hobby?

It is if they can afford to build a stick a woodworking shed in their backyard. Table saws and lathes ain’t cheap.

Some kids like mine have access to those things because they have family members in the trades. It wouldn't have occurred to me that makes them seem rich on an application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP I see posts like OP’s on here so often but at our school (independent feeder school not in DVM or NYC), those kinds of ECs are almost unheard of. Kids play varsity sports, do things like write for the school paper, theater, debate, and each year 25- 30 out of 100 seniors get into Ivy/top 15. I’ve never heard of anyone publishing any research let alone develop an AI service used by real corporate clients

Same outcomes at our non-DMV private.

But kids do unusual sports outside of school (fencing; sailing; squash; equestrian) and that gets noticed esp if there are accolades.
PT Jobs/internships too.

Niche hobbies (woodworking; agricultural related; beekeeping; birdwatching; urban farming) are also growing more common.

But no businesses with corporate clients etc.

Same outcomes at our DMV private.

Don’t worry, high schoolers publishing “ground breaking” research in respected journals is not the norm.

I think the issue is not whether or not it's the norm. Much jealousy and hate on high school research (or anything usual) is due to that moms think their genius can also publish paper given the access.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP I see posts like OP’s on here so often but at our school (independent feeder school not in DVM or NYC), those kinds of ECs are almost unheard of. Kids play varsity sports, do things like write for the school paper, theater, debate, and each year 25- 30 out of 100 seniors get into Ivy/top 15. I’ve never heard of anyone publishing any research let alone develop an AI service used by real corporate clients

Same outcomes at our non-DMV private.

But kids do unusual sports outside of school (fencing; sailing; squash; equestrian) and that gets noticed esp if there are accolades.
PT Jobs/internships too.

Niche hobbies (woodworking; agricultural related; beekeeping; birdwatching; urban farming) are also growing more common.

But no businesses with corporate clients etc.

Same outcomes at our DMV private.

Don’t worry, high schoolers publishing “ground breaking” research in respected journals is not the norm.

I think the issue is not whether or not it's the norm. Much jealousy and hate on high school research (or anything usual) is due to that moms think their genius can also publish paper given the access.

In that sense, SAT is the most accessible one compared to all the fancy ECs with big impact. For under-resourced high schools, it's the one that makes a smart kid really stand out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong to think the high school is a key variable here? I think if you have top rigor, grade and score from a top HS (Sidwell/ TJ type or Dalton/ Stuy in NYC), you don’t need those insane ECs to stand out, esp if full pay.

Your high school is always the most important factor. No one wants to admit that on this site, especially with so many public school parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP I see posts like OP’s on here so often but at our school (independent feeder school not in DVM or NYC), those kinds of ECs are almost unheard of. Kids play varsity sports, do things like write for the school paper, theater, debate, and each year 25- 30 out of 100 seniors get into Ivy/top 15. I’ve never heard of anyone publishing any research let alone develop an AI service used by real corporate clients

That's because the kids at this school get in because of the wealth and accomplishments of the parents. In the normal world, students tend to need to distinguish themselves beyond theater club.

What do you mean? This parent dare not donors. These days, you need 7-8 figure donation to move the needle on admissions at a top 20

a kid working on cars and getting paid as a part time job is retro authentic, and an absolute gem on the application - rich parents funding wood working hobby meh

Looks like this car thing is the new rich person EC because I know two kids (one is the son of a billionaire) who are both working in garages. I wonder which college counselor is advising this.

I know another one, headed to Northwestern this fall.

[Anonymous]

Soccer

[Anonymous]

Placed a few competitions (National, International) in area of academic interest - this was especially important when one person from a team is given an individual award at the state level.

Internships in same area of interest.

Ideated and led a project to teach younger kids basics of area of interest.

StuCo

A couple of random clubs

Founded a club based on personal experience with bias.

Really focused on learning and “doing” their area of interest. So naturally had a spike.

Admitted to multiple HYPSM. But the alum interview was key to getting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong to think the high school is a key variable here? I think if you have top rigor, grade and score from a top HS (Sidwell/ TJ type or Dalton/ Stuy in NYC), you don’t need those insane ECs to stand out, esp if full pay.

Your high school is always the most important factor. No one wants to admit that on this site, especially with so many public school parents.

+10000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong to think the high school is a key variable here? I think if you have top rigor, grade and score from a top HS (Sidwell/ TJ type or Dalton/ Stuy in NYC), you don’t need those insane ECs to stand out, esp if full pay.

Your high school is always the most important factor. No one wants to admit that on this site, especially with so many public school parents.

+1
Known public magnet with median SAT 1520 gets the same percent unhooked into the twelve ivy+ schools as the private with median 1380 SAT. The UVA % of the graduating class who is accepted is also similar.
High school matters.

[Anonymous]

too identifying

[Anonymous]

JV level sports freshman and sophomore year.
Small roles in theater performances in junior and senior year.
College summer program on film making.
Made a documentary about homelessness.

[Anonymous]

state president of well known club - also held national and international roles and smaller club roles along the way.
Regional and state student council roles.
Tons of other stuff but those were the most impactful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:state president of well known club - also held national and international roles and smaller club roles along the way.
Regional and state student council roles.
Tons of other stuff but those were the most impactful

Should have included internship in niche area of interest that was part of "compelling story".