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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD is a freshman who has always been “well rounded”- does a few ECs well, but not exceptionally so (I.e. at a national level). However, we are aiming for T20s and I’ve heard that to get in without a hook, students need a “spike”.

If this is true, how should we get around this? Should we focus on one EC and drop the others? Should we tie them together to create a strange niche?

Thanks.[/quote]

My kid is unhooked and got into four T10s, incl a top ivy, and did not have a "spike" whatever that is. The main ECs were ones started in elementary school (music/arts), having nothing to do with the high school academic clubs and awards/honors received(not national), and was not a significant factor in admissions since they do not have the fully college-supported arts departments at her ivy, just clubs. ECs merely show dedication, and DC had that in spades. What landed DC into multiple top schools (in RD--did not ED) was being highly successful in ALL of the hardest classes, across disciplines, with less hours than the peers put in, leaving more time for dedicated ECs.  Being highly intelligent and acing all the standard tests (PSAT/AP/SAT) helped as well. DC is also very kind and had top recs--some revealed parts after the fact. You cannot force any of this as a parent. They either have it or they don't.
For T20s, just landing one will take little less than this level, based on the peers, but you cant game it or it will come across inauthentic. Take a big step back and let your kid lead : they will end up where they can succeed even if not Top 20. 
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