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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DS is a current HS soph, high rigor/high stats (so far!). Will apply to a mix of schools, including competitive/ those with low acceptance rates. He is a prospective STEM major. We are hearing so much about how ECs need to align with major. He will probably have 1-2, maybe 3 activities over HS that correspond, but his main thing is his instrument. (he is also a strong pianist in addition to his primary instrument)

There are some opportunities to be recognized nationally, but it's very competitive. Getting close is possible. We're hoping that state or regional accolades happen (even there, luck plays a huge role). Either way, he is achieving a lot with both instruments, loves it, is in audition-based ensembles in and out of school, will have increasing leadership, is making his mark, etc. That's most of his EC time. He's serious about it the way DD is with her travel sport. I learned that some schools will look at portfolios for music, art, theatre, etc. even for non-majors and he will probably submit one. He wants to stay active with music in college too.

Is it a problem that he's not all in on STEM for his activities, and instead has a performing arts interest that he is devoted to? Any advice for how to present himself on his apps? Would you recommend adding a music dbl major or minor? He has some interesting things to say about this STEM interest that he can write essays on. He has come to those interests more through classwork than his activities. At least so far. So, he can speak to what he wants to study and why, but he may not have a "in my free time I cured cancer" thing because he's busy with music. (Otherwise, he def would have cured cancer lol)

I had a general convo with a college counselor who thought DS should try to find an intersection of his STEM interest and his music background, and to write about that. To me this feels like manufactured nonsense. Is it? Ultimately, he's not giving up or lessening his time with music, so if it's actually a "problem," it is what it is![/quote]

Stem majors including engineering students at ivies and other elite privates commonly have performance arts dedication and get involved on campus. It seems to be a combination admissions prefers due to the high percentage that have it. No need to make a fake story to join it together: these top-most selective schools can and do get plenty of applications from 1530+, Val/sal or top handful from privates, maximum rigor in all areas, evidence of outside the classroom Stem interest and intelligence AND arts on top of all of that. Sure it could be a sport, or an intense volunteer endeavor, but arts seem to be the most common “non-stem” addon to the stem kids who are on campus. Yet in high school these kids were somewhat rare. Ivies and similar like rare. They like divergent interests and deep development of them. It is over half of the hard science and engineering students who also came in with chorus/a capella, orchestra or band, dance, or theater. A couple of them did two of these plus all the other top-stat stem student things. 
Furthermore they support each other on campus, collaborating together on psets or labs yet attending each others arts when possible. 
The students on these campuses who are not there due to significant non-academic hooks are beyond typical high stat kids. Your son sounds as though he would fit right in. 
Look at all ivies that have his art plus look at similar-sized top privates(stanford JHU Duke et al). Most have similar combinations of students depending on what specific art your student wants.
We also know/have direct info on a handful that fit the description at Swarthmore. [/quote]

Thank you, I really appreciate you sharing this. You and the PP above you know what you are talking about. Everything you're saying goes along with DS's situation and will really help us. Being on the younger side of HS, knowing all this college stuff is coming up, doing his best but feeling intimidated that he's not "strategizing" properly is stressful for him. He hears so many things from older kids, teachers, counselors - often contradictory. You've shared a great perspective to help us think about things. I am so glad so many posters are encouraging him to be who he is and follow what he genuinely loves.[/quote]

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