Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you’re applying to a Top25 college, activities are a check-the-box exercise. AOs just want to see that you’ve done something other than academics. That said, the decision to admit is based on everything else. A student would have to a humdinger of an activity that was well-highlighted in their essays, recommendations, and awards to make a meaningful admission impact.

Then can you specify exactly what the top 25s are looking for in terms of EC? TIA

I don’t think no one on this forum can give you that unless they are AOs themselves.

Read Who Gets in and Why

Anonymous wrote:ECs are just fluffs, focus on taking the most challenging courses, GPA and SAT scores. None of my 3 kids have any real ECs to speak off but all got into UVA.

State schools care about raw numbers, a lot of privates want numbers plus something else

ECs are just fluffs, focus on taking the most challenging courses, GPA and SAT scores. None of my 3 kids have any real ECs to speak off but all got into UVA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you’re applying to a Top25 college, activities are a check-the-box exercise. AOs just want to see that you’ve done something other than academics. That said, the decision to admit is based on everything else. A student would have to a humdinger of an activity that was well-highlighted in their essays, recommendations, and awards to make a meaningful admission impact.

Then can you specify exactly what the top 25s are looking for in terms of EC? TIA

I don’t think no one on this forum can give you that unless they are AOs themselves.

Anonymous wrote:Unless you’re applying to a Top25 college, activities are a check-the-box exercise. AOs just want to see that you’ve done something other than academics. That said, the decision to admit is based on everything else. A student would have to a humdinger of an activity that was well-highlighted in their essays, recommendations, and awards to make a meaningful admission impact.

Then can you specify exactly what the top 25s are looking for in terms of EC? TIA

Anonymous wrote:Seeing some replies to OP makes me nervous to ask but here I go. No snarky replies please. My DC has a 3.8 UW, 1540 SAT, not enough EC but here’s why. DC had to help care for a sick parent since freshman year until recently. Is that something DC can add on essay or even common app? We won’t qualify for need based aid. Trying to figure out how much that will impact admission. We can only afford public universities or comparable private schools (cost wise).

That’s totally different than the kids who choose not to have any EC. Taking care of a sick parent is definitely something impactful that should be worth an essay.

Seeing some replies to OP makes me nervous to ask but here I go. No snarky replies please. My DC has a 3.8 UW, 1540 SAT, not enough EC but here’s why. DC had to help care for a sick parent since freshman year until recently. Is that something DC can add on essay or even common app? We won’t qualify for need based aid. Trying to figure out how much that will impact admission. We can only afford public universities or comparable private schools (cost wise).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The list is just so blah. Was there any national recognition in any activity or was he in a travel team or anything special? Being a club officer is a dime a dozen, unless it’s actually a hard club to get into like editor in chief of the school newspaper. This list doesn’t make your child different from anybody else. A lot of kids here have already been published or have gone over and beyond in their respective activities. Some arbitrary “feeding the homeless” is not enough.

You sound douchy

At least I’m realistic

Agreed. No need to lead the OP down the wrong path. If OP is looking for the top tier schools, the competition out there is stiff. The AOs are no dummy. They know what activities are there to pad the resume. Often it is the unique interest with a longer term commitment that stands out. Don't fall into that "checking a box" trap. The student will end up being spread too thin on a bunch of things just for the college app. That is a lose-lose. Focus on something that speaks to the student and go deeper and have a real impact.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The list is just so blah. Was there any national recognition in any activity or was he in a travel team or anything special? Being a club officer is a dime a dozen, unless it’s actually a hard club to get into like editor in chief of the school newspaper. This list doesn’t make your child different from anybody else. A lot of kids here have already been published or have gone over and beyond in their respective activities. Some arbitrary “feeding the homeless” is not enough.

You sound douchy

At least I’m realistic

Anonymous wrote:The list is just so blah. Was there any national recognition in any activity or was he in a travel team or anything special? Being a club officer is a dime a dozen, unless it’s actually a hard club to get into like editor in chief of the school newspaper. This list doesn’t make your child different from anybody else. A lot of kids here have already been published or have gone over and beyond in their respective activities. Some arbitrary “feeding the homeless” is not enough.

You sound douchy

Good list. Particularly impressed with the internship which can be difficult for HS. With rigorous coursework, 4.0 GPA and 1450+ SAT you are looking pretty good. Congratulations.