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A generation ago, conventional wisdom suggested that college-bound high school students should strive to become “well-rounded.” This usually meant that they played a sport (or two), engaged in a community service activity (or two), and joined a few school clubs. As the adage goes, most students were “jacks of all trades and masters of none.” Of course, it is developmentally appropriate for teenagers to explore different activities and interests, and most high schoolers are still figuring out who they are and what they enjoy. While some students discover their true interests earlier than others, everyone moves at an individual pace. The best way to discover a beloved pastime is to try out a range of clubs, hobbies, sports, and activities until one or more resonates.
Genuine enjoyment of how we spend our free time is key to personal fulfillment and, by extension, a strong college application. Students should never engage in activities solely because they think they will “look good” on their college applications. Contrary to what some believe, colleges do not have preconceived expectations for a student’s high school activities. Of course, colleges are seeking students who are involved in their school or other communities in some way. Yet, there is no prescription for exactly what that involvement looks like. Colleges are seeking authenticity; they want students who are intrinsically motivated to engage in their extracurricular pursuits. Merely joining school clubs to check off imaginary boxes (sport, service, work, etc.) will ring hollow in a college application because it’s difficult to mask lackluster enthusiasm. On the other hand, when students truly enjoy their activities, their excitement shines through in their essays and activity resumes.
What’s more, activities do not need to be formal or offered through a student’s high school. While some students might become very involved with traditional school clubs such as Student Council, debate, and Key Club, others might volunteer at their church or synagogue or lead a youth board of a nonprofit organization. Other students may have entirely self-directed interests; perhaps they author a blog with thousands of followers or run a catering company that they founded. Still other students might spend the majority of their time outside of school working or taking care of their siblings or grandparents. Colleges do not have a preference for what students do—they’re much more interested in students who get involved because they want to, not because they believe they are supposed to.
In essence, the notion of the “well rounded” student is a relic of the past. Today’s strong college applicants are often referred to as “pointy.” Whether students are concert pianists or tuba players, debate champions or Model UN winners, ranked tennis players or standout running backs, each is a specialist of sorts. Taken together, they form a well-rounded student body (as opposed to a campus full of well-rounded students) in which each student contributes a distinctive skill set, talent, or interest. Ultimately, colleges are seeking students who excel at what they love, make a positive impact, and help others. They presume that high school students who contribute meaningfully to their communities will continue doing so in college. By following their interests and engaging in activities they enjoy, regardless of how they think colleges might perceive their invovement, students will naturally strengthen their college applications—in a genuine and authentic way.
