The part of the common app only gives the option to select grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 for when you participated. If it was truly meaningful, you might talk about it in an essay, but generally you only have a limited space to talk about each activity -- is something you did in MS really want you want to talk about?

My oldest applied last year and if memory serves the activity drop down forces you to select years 9-12. There is then a section to describe the activity and that’s where DS mentioned if he’d done something since earlier years. But the activity section isn’t the same as the honors/awards section and I can’t recall how that one is laid out.

It will probably be different by the time your child applies so in the meantime have them start creating a Google doc-like “resume” to track activities, honors/awards, volunteer work, etc. it will make completing the application much easier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you put something like performing (in a major role) at Carnegie hall in MS?

Who selected her to perform?

She auditioned and was selected by the directors of the performance.

Was this a school trip to have the band/chorus/whatever perform at Carnegie Hall? That “opportunity” is basically pay-to-play — it’s just your standard MS band showcase on a literally larger stage. If she’s regularly participating in the NYC performing arts scene, include it — but also include all the roles she’s had since.

It’s more the latter. She is a singer and performed in an opera in a leading role for a special performance at CH in addition to other performances. It was a big deal - she performed a role usually for a much older child and worked very hard with loads of extra rehearsals to prepare for it. I guess it will make sense to include if she continues this type of work through hs.

Do you want your application to say "Carnegie Hall soloist and then I quit"?
Or do you have more recent activities?

Hence why I wrote it will make sense to include if she continues this through hs…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you put something like performing (in a major role) at Carnegie hall in MS?

Who selected her to perform?

She auditioned and was selected by the directors of the performance.

Was this a school trip to have the band/chorus/whatever perform at Carnegie Hall? That “opportunity” is basically pay-to-play — it’s just your standard MS band showcase on a literally larger stage. If she’s regularly participating in the NYC performing arts scene, include it — but also include all the roles she’s had since.

It’s more the latter. She is a singer and performed in an opera in a leading role for a special performance at CH in addition to other performances. It was a big deal - she performed a role usually for a much older child and worked very hard with loads of extra rehearsals to prepare for it. I guess it will make sense to include if she continues this type of work through hs.

Do you want your application to say "Carnegie Hall soloist and then I quit"?
Or do you have more recent activities?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you put something like performing (in a major role) at Carnegie hall in MS?

Who selected her to perform?

She auditioned and was selected by the directors of the performance.

Was this a school trip to have the band/chorus/whatever perform at Carnegie Hall? That “opportunity” is basically pay-to-play — it’s just your standard MS band showcase on a literally larger stage. If she’s regularly participating in the NYC performing arts scene, include it — but also include all the roles she’s had since.

It’s more the latter. She is a singer and performed in an opera in a leading role for a special performance at CH in addition to other performances. It was a big deal - she performed a role usually for a much older child and worked very hard with loads of extra rehearsals to prepare for it. I guess it will make sense to include if she continues this type of work through hs.

Definitely include it! It’s something to be proud of. My kid soloed at Carnegie as a violinist and she’s mentioning it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you put something like performing (in a major role) at Carnegie hall in MS?

Who selected her to perform?

She auditioned and was selected by the directors of the performance.

Was this a school trip to have the band/chorus/whatever perform at Carnegie Hall? That “opportunity” is basically pay-to-play — it’s just your standard MS band showcase on a literally larger stage. If she’s regularly participating in the NYC performing arts scene, include it — but also include all the roles she’s had since.

It’s more the latter. She is a singer and performed in an opera in a leading role for a special performance at CH in addition to other performances. It was a big deal - she performed a role usually for a much older child and worked very hard with loads of extra rehearsals to prepare for it. I guess it will make sense to include if she continues this type of work through hs.