Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 11:15     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m crazy but it’s not about standing out unless you’re gunning for Harvard. It’s to show that you have a life and interests outside of school. Or in the case of kids who don’t have the time and money for ECs that are “fun”, to show how you spend your time and who you are as a person.

These are the activities available to most teenagers via their schools and communities. I think people really overthink ECs for college apps.


It’s not just Harvard. Also matters for T25/30.


What stands out is daddy went to Harvard and consistently donates $$$ to the alumni association.
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 11:13     Subject: Re:If every kid is doing the same damn EC
My child is different because he has taken both piano and violin lessons since early age. Also, he is the president of a club for the minorities / language and culture at his high school. Also very proficient in the Wushu and number one in many competition.
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:59     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
And let's not forget if you are at a highly competitive high school, you have to do more. Even if the IQ of 50 or your peers is 140 or above, you need to somehow be better and take more than then academically or UVA is a no go.
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:55     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Oh yes and you need to be intellectually curious while you are driving yourself into the ground doing these other things they are looking for.
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:52     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Exactly. Everyone should be able to get a 4.8, all 5's on 14 AP tests, a 1560 or above, have leadership, start some kind of community project, and still that is not good enough for AO's.
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:50     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m crazy but it’s not about standing out unless you’re gunning for Harvard. It’s to show that you have a life and interests outside of school. Or in the case of kids who don’t have the time and money for ECs that are “fun”, to show how you spend your time and who you are as a person.

These are the activities available to most teenagers via their schools and communities. I think people really overthink ECs for college apps.


DCUM has always put a lot of weight on ECs then deemphasized stats.

They somehow think AOs get tired looking at hundreds of similar stats kids. In fact, like the title says, every kid is doing the same EC. I think AOs can get tired looking at these ECs even more quickly. Nowadays every kid is doing a part time job, has a hobby such as doodling, watches bird, and reads a book for community outreach.



Darn. Will tell the not yet in high schooler to aim higher and try to get a full time one instead.
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:46     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:Nothing is unique anymore so kids continue to try to standout and mental health will continue to decline.



Right. So they don't need that bassoonist after all, what is it now, the xylophonist?
Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:45     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m crazy but it’s not about standing out unless you’re gunning for Harvard. It’s to show that you have a life and interests outside of school. Or in the case of kids who don’t have the time and money for ECs that are “fun”, to show how you spend your time and who you are as a person.

These are the activities available to most teenagers via their schools and communities. I think people really overthink ECs for college apps.


DCUM has always put a lot of weight on ECs then deemphasized stats.

They somehow think AOs get tired looking at hundreds of similar stats kids. In fact, like the title says, every kid is doing the same EC. I think AOs can get tired looking at these ECs even more quickly. Nowadays every kid is doing a part time job, has a hobby such as doodling, watches bird, and reads a book for community outreach.

Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:44     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Nothing is unique anymore so kids continue to try to standout and mental health will continue to decline.

Anonymous
Post 07/10/2025 09:32     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Another activity every kid is doing: national honor society (NHS). What's special then if most students are eligible to be a member? What if a kid meets the criteria to apply for NHS but doesn't apply? Does not being a NHS member when student was clearly eligible stand out to an admissions team?


It means so little that tons of kids who qualify, apply, and are a member don't put it on their college apps.


+1 it’s become meaningless. AOs can see stats, they know who would have qualified.


Exactly. Yet schools make such a big ceremony out of it.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 04:14     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m crazy but it’s not about standing out unless you’re gunning for Harvard. It’s to show that you have a life and interests outside of school. Or in the case of kids who don’t have the time and money for ECs that are “fun”, to show how you spend your time and who you are as a person.

These are the activities available to most teenagers via their schools and communities. I think people really overthink ECs for college apps.


It’s not just Harvard. Also matters for T25/30.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 01:28     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Maybe I’m crazy but it’s not about standing out unless you’re gunning for Harvard. It’s to show that you have a life and interests outside of school. Or in the case of kids who don’t have the time and money for ECs that are “fun”, to show how you spend your time and who you are as a person.

These are the activities available to most teenagers via their schools and communities. I think people really overthink ECs for college apps.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2025 20:49     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Another activity every kid is doing: national honor society (NHS). What's special then if most students are eligible to be a member? What if a kid meets the criteria to apply for NHS but doesn't apply? Does not being a NHS member when student was clearly eligible stand out to an admissions team?


It means so little that tons of kids who qualify, apply, and are a member don't put it on their college apps.


+1 it’s become meaningless. AOs can see stats, they know who would have qualified.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2025 20:34     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
I have a kid with a true passion for a weird ec. It’s no walk in the park! I often wish he wasnt quite so into it and I don’t know that it’s a benefit to his college app bc although it’s unusual and shows dedication over time he likes it way more than typical ECs (and to some extent his actual schoolwork) so while those are ok they are not as strong as they would be if he wasn’t as into this niche interest.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2025 20:28     Subject: If every kid is doing the same damn EC
Lots of kids have part time jobs as their EC. Not a unique thing anymore.