What activities are considered "impressive" to potential schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics captain
AND Lead Cheerleader
AND Math team captain
AND Debate co-captain
AND Faculty award for top student in HS

In at two of HYP

Other than being good at becoming captain, I don’t see anything stand out in this resume. Where is the impact? How many times AIME qualified?

Good student in a bad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of posters in this forum overfocus on impressiveness. Every time I chime in about my two kids at a T10 with ordinary activities (one speech and debate, one robotics, both with hobbies), no positions but leadership by action/anecdotes, I get quizzed, "well are they hooked? Must be!" etc.

Some people just can't believe it's true that not every part of the app is a competition for external achievement or why their kid's activity descriptions and hours might sound sus to an AO.

Sound like a genuine kid that people want to be around. There is no need to stretch the truth or turn an introvert into an extrovert. Be involved, but most of all, be kind.

Yup. Listen to this poster, people. “Normal” kids get into these schools. Don’t buy into the arms race ginned up by college counselors whose livelihoods depend on selling a secret formula for admissions.

+1000

I never thought my child is competitive at all for T20 because kid eschewed many of the thinks that I thought were pre-requisite for getting into these colleges. Did have top grades with high rigor and high scores.

I actively discouraged child from spending time on T20 applications, instead wanted to focus on more realistic schools getting those essays in good shape. Only after everything was done and in the winter break child started on the T20 applications. Got into multiple schools and is at a HYPSM.

The only thing that stood out besides very strong academics is kindness. While I was proud of child's kindness, I was nearly 100% sure the choices kid made out of kindness hurt chances of T20. There is no kindness grade or award. It had been noted by teachers in the recommendation letters.
The handwritten note on the admission letter from one of the HYPSM's pointedly noted this.

On the one hand, I had a similar experience. On the other hand, it might be common because it's easy to fool a teacher with manipulative behavior.

Like the old saying goes:
The key to success is sincerity. If you can fake that you've got it made.

George Burns

The idea that teachers are regularly being taken in by manipulative psycho kids is…bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics captain
AND Lead Cheerleader
AND Math team captain
AND Debate co-captain
AND Faculty award for top student in HS

In at two of HYP

Other than being good at becoming captain, I don’t see anything stand out in this resume. Where is the impact? How many times AIME qualified?

Student body president politician type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of posters in this forum overfocus on impressiveness. Every time I chime in about my two kids at a T10 with ordinary activities (one speech and debate, one robotics, both with hobbies), no positions but leadership by action/anecdotes, I get quizzed, "well are they hooked? Must be!" etc.

Some people just can't believe it's true that not every part of the app is a competition for external achievement or why their kid's activity descriptions and hours might sound sus to an AO.

Sound like a genuine kid that people want to be around. There is no need to stretch the truth or turn an introvert into an extrovert. Be involved, but most of all, be kind.

Yup. Listen to this poster, people. “Normal” kids get into these schools. Don’t buy into the arms race ginned up by college counselors whose livelihoods depend on selling a secret formula for admissions.

+1000

I never thought my child is competitive at all for T20 because kid eschewed many of the thinks that I thought were pre-requisite for getting into these colleges. Did have top grades with high rigor and high scores.

I actively discouraged child from spending time on T20 applications, instead wanted to focus on more realistic schools getting those essays in good shape. Only after everything was done and in the winter break child started on the T20 applications. Got into multiple schools and is at a HYPSM.

The only thing that stood out besides very strong academics is kindness. While I was proud of child's kindness, I was nearly 100% sure the choices kid made out of kindness hurt chances of T20. There is no kindness grade or award. It had been noted by teachers in the recommendation letters.
The handwritten note on the admission letter from one of the HYPSM's pointedly noted this.

But there must be something to show AO their kindness. What that ‘something’ is? Volunteer? Club? Non-profit?

He opened up his home for illegal immigrants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of posters in this forum overfocus on impressiveness. Every time I chime in about my two kids at a T10 with ordinary activities (one speech and debate, one robotics, both with hobbies), no positions but leadership by action/anecdotes, I get quizzed, "well are they hooked? Must be!" etc.

Some people just can't believe it's true that not every part of the app is a competition for external achievement or why their kid's activity descriptions and hours might sound sus to an AO.

Sound like a genuine kid that people want to be around. There is no need to stretch the truth or turn an introvert into an extrovert. Be involved, but most of all, be kind.

Yup. Listen to this poster, people. “Normal” kids get into these schools. Don’t buy into the arms race ginned up by college counselors whose livelihoods depend on selling a secret formula for admissions.

+1000

I never thought my child is competitive at all for T20 because kid eschewed many of the thinks that I thought were pre-requisite for getting into these colleges. Did have top grades with high rigor and high scores.

I actively discouraged child from spending time on T20 applications, instead wanted to focus on more realistic schools getting those essays in good shape. Only after everything was done and in the winter break child started on the T20 applications. Got into multiple schools and is at a HYPSM.

The only thing that stood out besides very strong academics is kindness. While I was proud of child's kindness, I was nearly 100% sure the choices kid made out of kindness hurt chances of T20. There is no kindness grade or award. It had been noted by teachers in the recommendation letters.
The handwritten note on the admission letter from one of the HYPSM's pointedly noted this.

But there must be something to show AO their kindness. What that ‘something’ is? Volunteer? Club? Non-profit?

He opened up his home for illegal immigrants.

That is kind. I would guess that doing work to help marginalized communities is attractive to admissions committees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of posters in this forum overfocus on impressiveness. Every time I chime in about my two kids at a T10 with ordinary activities (one speech and debate, one robotics, both with hobbies), no positions but leadership by action/anecdotes, I get quizzed, "well are they hooked? Must be!" etc.

Some people just can't believe it's true that not every part of the app is a competition for external achievement or why their kid's activity descriptions and hours might sound sus to an AO.

Sound like a genuine kid that people want to be around. There is no need to stretch the truth or turn an introvert into an extrovert. Be involved, but most of all, be kind.

Yup. Listen to this poster, people. “Normal” kids get into these schools. Don’t buy into the arms race ginned up by college counselors whose livelihoods depend on selling a secret formula for admissions.

+1000

I never thought my child is competitive at all for T20 because kid eschewed many of the thinks that I thought were pre-requisite for getting into these colleges. Did have top grades with high rigor and high scores.

I actively discouraged child from spending time on T20 applications, instead wanted to focus on more realistic schools getting those essays in good shape. Only after everything was done and in the winter break child started on the T20 applications. Got into multiple schools and is at a HYPSM.

The only thing that stood out besides very strong academics is kindness. While I was proud of child's kindness, I was nearly 100% sure the choices kid made out of kindness hurt chances of T20. There is no kindness grade or award. It had been noted by teachers in the recommendation letters.
The handwritten note on the admission letter from one of the HYPSM's pointedly noted this.

But there must be something to show AO their kindness. What that ‘something’ is? Volunteer? Club? Non-profit?

He opened up his home for illegal immigrants.

This EC will guarantee you a spot at ivy league!
This is a real act of kindness, not the ones that "get through the recommendation letter somehow".
There are too many Karens in this world. All the cheap talk nothing in substance. Then we are raising a new generation of Karens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of posters in this forum overfocus on impressiveness. Every time I chime in about my two kids at a T10 with ordinary activities (one speech and debate, one robotics, both with hobbies), no positions but leadership by action/anecdotes, I get quizzed, "well are they hooked? Must be!" etc.

Some people just can't believe it's true that not every part of the app is a competition for external achievement or why their kid's activity descriptions and hours might sound sus to an AO.

Sound like a genuine kid that people want to be around. There is no need to stretch the truth or turn an introvert into an extrovert. Be involved, but most of all, be kind.

Yup. Listen to this poster, people. “Normal” kids get into these schools. Don’t buy into the arms race ginned up by college counselors whose livelihoods depend on selling a secret formula for admissions.

+1000

I never thought my child is competitive at all for T20 because kid eschewed many of the thinks that I thought were pre-requisite for getting into these colleges. Did have top grades with high rigor and high scores.

I actively discouraged child from spending time on T20 applications, instead wanted to focus on more realistic schools getting those essays in good shape. Only after everything was done and in the winter break child started on the T20 applications. Got into multiple schools and is at a HYPSM.

The only thing that stood out besides very strong academics is kindness. While I was proud of child's kindness, I was nearly 100% sure the choices kid made out of kindness hurt chances of T20. There is no kindness grade or award. It had been noted by teachers in the recommendation letters.
The handwritten note on the admission letter from one of the HYPSM's pointedly noted this.

But there must be something to show AO their kindness. What that ‘something’ is? Volunteer? Club? Non-profit?

He opened up his home for illegal immigrants.

That is kind. I would guess that doing work to help marginalized communities is attractive to admissions committees.

No. No. No. Absolutely nothing of the sort. No organized volunteering, no non-profit. All about interactions with classmates and friends during classes, activities and helping friends day to day.

[Anonymous]

Find something interesting and genuine OUTSIDE of school clubs and sports.

A high school student who proactively gets involved with a local community group or nonprofit or activity is different than the regular Model UN/robotics/DECA crowd.

The key is that the kid’s involvement needs to start early (9th or 10th), get deeper over time, and have some sort of impact, however small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of posters in this forum overfocus on impressiveness. Every time I chime in about my two kids at a T10 with ordinary activities (one speech and debate, one robotics, both with hobbies), no positions but leadership by action/anecdotes, I get quizzed, "well are they hooked? Must be!" etc.

Some people just can't believe it's true that not every part of the app is a competition for external achievement or why their kid's activity descriptions and hours might sound sus to an AO.

Sound like a genuine kid that people want to be around. There is no need to stretch the truth or turn an introvert into an extrovert. Be involved, but most of all, be kind.

Yup. Listen to this poster, people. “Normal” kids get into these schools. Don’t buy into the arms race ginned up by college counselors whose livelihoods depend on selling a secret formula for admissions.

+1000

I never thought my child is competitive at all for T20 because kid eschewed many of the thinks that I thought were pre-requisite for getting into these colleges. Did have top grades with high rigor and high scores.

I actively discouraged child from spending time on T20 applications, instead wanted to focus on more realistic schools getting those essays in good shape. Only after everything was done and in the winter break child started on the T20 applications. Got into multiple schools and is at a HYPSM.

The only thing that stood out besides very strong academics is kindness. While I was proud of child's kindness, I was nearly 100% sure the choices kid made out of kindness hurt chances of T20. There is no kindness grade or award. It had been noted by teachers in the recommendation letters.
The handwritten note on the admission letter from one of the HYPSM's pointedly noted this.

But there must be something to show AO their kindness. What that ‘something’ is? Volunteer? Club? Non-profit?

He opened up his home for illegal immigrants.

This EC will guarantee you a spot at ivy league!
This is a real act of kindness, not the ones that "get through the recommendation letter somehow".
There are too many Karens in this world. All the cheap talk nothing in substance. Then we are raising a new generation of Karens.

Wuh? How is a kid opening up “his” house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which public schools give out faculty awards for "top student"? That's nuts.

None. She lied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which public schools give out faculty awards for "top student"? That's nuts.

None. She lied.

Lots of public schools have a slew of awards. Sports awards, community Service awards, academic awards. Students are recognized for variety of efforts all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics captain
AND Lead Cheerleader
AND Math team captain
AND Debate co-captain
AND Faculty award for top student in HS

In at two of HYP

I would have classified these as meh. School activities + captain of a school club + an award that is already evident from the transcript/sch profile…

My guess is there was more (like a feeder school).

Or applying from bumf--- America. Or hooked. Otherwise, it is MEH!, indeed. HYP gets about 50K apps each of this (and more) profile kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People don't understand that admissions is basically random outside of the hooked superstars, and they invent a mythology to let them deny that it was a lottery ticket.

I think it’s the college counselors inventing the mythology. The schools are very clear about the fact that they have more qualified students than slots and are making selections based on institutional priorities. Saying it’s a lottery is extreme cope.

DP. I agree with this, that selections are made for reasons families cannot see, and college consultants do quite the sell job. Too bad we don't have access to the black box of admissions, which at least partly includes an algorithm somewhere. So, it feels like a lottery from the student's perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics captain
AND Lead Cheerleader
AND Math team captain
AND Debate co-captain
AND Faculty award for top student in HS

In at two of HYP

I would have classified these as meh. School activities + captain of a school club + an award that is already evident from the transcript/sch profile…

My guess is there was more (like a feeder school).

Or applying from bumf--- America. Or hooked. Otherwise, it is MEH!, indeed. HYP gets about 50K apps each of this (and more) profile kid.

The faculty award may be meaningful. If the college knows the high school and knows the award it could signify an exceptional student and might signify the student has outstanding LORs. The colleges are familiar with specific high schools and what is involved for high performance at a specific high School.

You act as if there aren't some students that have high ability that are desired by top colleges. That is not the case. Students are competing for colleges and colleges are also competing for students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics captain
AND Lead Cheerleader
AND Math team captain
AND Debate co-captain
AND Faculty award for top student in HS

In at two of HYP

I would have classified these as meh. School activities + captain of a school club + an award that is already evident from the transcript/sch profile…

My guess is there was more (like a feeder school).

Or applying from bumf--- America. Or hooked. Otherwise, it is MEH!, indeed. HYP gets about 50K apps each of this (and more) profile kid.

The faculty award may be meaningful. If the college knows the high school and knows the award it could signify an exceptional student and might signify the student has outstanding LORs. The colleges are familiar with specific high schools and what is involved for high performance at a specific high School.

You act as if there aren't some students that have high ability that are desired by top colleges. That is not the case. Students are competing for colleges and colleges are also competing for students.

How? Colleges know the historic and current GPAs of kids who apply from a school. So a kid who applies with a 4.5 GPA and they know from prior applicants OR from the school profile OR from the kid’s ranking, kid is at the very top of the class/school. How does the faculty award help? It is verification of what the school already knows.

And that poster is a liar bc FCPS has no faculty awards for the top of the class.