“I’m going to try a little of everything because colleges want a “well rounded” student.”
This was certainly true in the past . . . but things change! While being well rounded certainly isn’t a bad characteristic for a student to possess, colleges today seem to place a greater emphasis on passionate involvement. Before you start groaning and grumbling . . . this is a classic example of students not being able to have it both ways . . . at least not easily. For years, students who excelled in one area of interest complained that they were overlooked and labeled nerds, one trick ponies and a variety of other names while the “well rounded” students collected their acceptance letters from the mailbox.
The current trend in college admissions is to value passionate pursuit of an interest or activity over the more traditional and moderate involvement with several different interests. In today’s environment, the kid who wins the county science fair, and gets a summer job as an intern at the local medical laboratory doesn’t need to worry about the fact that he isn’t on the football team. Colleges have learned that success often comes from specific interest and accomplishment and not from dabbling at a little bit of everything.
There is a little bit of a trick to this myth however. It’s almost, but not quite enough to prevent us from labeling it as a myth. While the admissions office now wants to see accomplishment in a particular area of interest . . . being well rounded . . . in addition to that accomplishment is an advantage. No where is this more evident than an institution as extreme as MIT. For years, MIT has developed its reputation and position as the world’s preeminent technology institution. One can argue that the much smaller Cal Tech admits a more talented class but worldwide, MIT’s position in the world of scientific research, technology, and engineering is probably without equal. Long before other schools were emphasizing specific passionate interest . . . MIT had been there and done that. But even at MIT, if you play a sport, your application will receive additional attention. That’s right, MIT really cares whether you’re a football player . . . I’m not kidding.
So when thinking about this particular myth, or at least “pseudo myth”, consider the following. Colleges now place a great deal of value on passionate and specific interests and accomplishments. This hasn’t replaced the value of being a well rounded student; it has simply taken a more important position in the admissions process. So pursue your passionate interests first but don’t be afraid to strengthen your application with some “well rounded” activity.
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