What makes for good extracurriculars?

[Anonymous]

My DD keeps talking about how her extracurriculars won’t be a plus for her because they’re “nothing special.” She’s the president of a relatively well known statewide student organization, leader in another state org, won one national essay contest, on debate team, and EiC of school paper. Most of it is pretty cookie cutter activism/leadership stuff so not super well rounded but she’s applying for poli sci so that makes sense to me. I understand what hook worthy extracurriculars for Top 10s look like but beyond that what makes for good extracurriculars? What makes the difference between someone with impressive ECs vs not impressive ECs?

[Anonymous]

Your DD sounds great! She's already done so much and she should be proud of her accomplishments and hard works. I hope she gets into her dream schools. I'm assuming they're something like Georgetown, etc. What makes AMAZING is showing initiative and connecting these across disciplines. Some of the most amazing and interesting students I've talked to aren't just interested in history. They're interested in seeing the connections between history and science, combining these interests to start initiatives in their area of interest.

[Anonymous]

I think the key to above average extracurriculars is to have two different passions that one is devoted to and find a way to connect them.

[Anonymous]

She sounds amazing! I think the most important consideration is putting a lot of thought into how she writes about these activities and how she weaves them into her personal narrative so they make her essays pop
She sounds a little like my kid who had great ECs but didn’t feel comfortable tooting his own horn. Encourage your child to be honest with herself about her accomplishments which sound considerable. Editor in Chief of school newspaper and President of a club demonstrate commitment and leadership

[Anonymous]

No matter the EC., if school doesn’t want her, they’ll just ho hum the accomplishment. If the college wants her independently of the EC., they will gush over minor things. My 2 cents from experience.

I think hooks will determine their reaction.

[Anonymous]

Leadership, and long term commitment.

That will make her appealing to many schools, since most of a campus’ social options are organized by student-led clubs.

Please talk her down from believing there is one formula for college acceptance or success. She should try to be her best self, and choose a college that will be thrilled to have her.

This is the actual end of her childhood, formative years for who she will become. Not a top 20 audition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leadership, and long term commitment.

That will make her appealing to many schools, since most of a campus’ social options are organized by student-led clubs.

Please talk her down from believing there is one formula for college acceptance or success. She should try to be her best self, and choose a college that will be thrilled to have her.

This is the actual end of her childhood, formative years for who she will become. Not a top 20 audition.

Meh, not so much any more. That has lost its gleam in the past 5 or so years.

What stands out is something that your kid has done long term, stuck with and done well - say she started playing a challenging instrument in 1st grade and kept with it through 12th with accolades to show for it. Or won some unusual contests in an EC that again, she stuck with over time.