<p>I’m a mom reading these posts and wondering how important formal/traditional extra-curriculars and volunteering are when applying to engineering schools, MIT in particular. We live in rural MN and have always let our boys take responsibility for their studies, hobbies, etc, and supported what their choices were. They are growing into independent, solid, interesting citizens. </p>
<p>Background on our 16yo: skipped kindergarten, at 4yo befriended an international pro stunt pilot at EAA for 3 years, at 4yo he wanted to be an “aeronautic engineer” (his words) at that time, played oboe for 5 years, piano for 3 years, was 3/135 in 10th grade with a 3.97, is currently full time dual-credit student at a private college for his 11th/12th grade years (we drove him 30 miles each way for 2 months until he was old enough to get his DL), getting best scores in pre-calc, ACT scored 32 first time, created/builds ski bikes, photography business, vinyl decal business, t-shirt business, has built/welded numerous obsticles for snowboarding/snow bikes/unicycle, has actively worked as a child care assistant in my daycare, babysits, unicycles, church work camp, Good Neighbor volunteer…that’s what comes to mind. </p>
<p>He doesn’t have the traditional club/community participation that is usually listed as extra-curriculars. Random acts of kindness are more up his alley. In 5th grade his friend’s house burned to the ground so he did a fundraiser for her and asked the local Toys R Us to match donations (they did). He was able to give her a $1000 GC so she could replace many of her “things” lost in the fire. Shoveled driveway for a VERY unfriendly neighbor’s driveway because they are old and the snow was extra wet/heavy. Those are to name a few.</p>
<p>For 7 years our son has raced motocross and overcome the adversity of several broken bones. At 9 years old, with a badly broken femur, his first coherent question to his surgeon was “when can I ride again”…and meant it! He’s passionate about racing and loves all things mechanical. He would like to go to MIT in 2 years although I wonder if his relative lack of scholastic ECs and formal volunteerism will keep him out of the running. Must those areas be outstanding to be considered?</p>
<p>No I do not think that broken bones help. If you would like, it can be an interesting essay topic. </p>
<p>Things that help college applications: Scores, classes, grades, major awards (awards in general), volunteering, leadership, involvement, passion, extracirricular involvement, work/intern experience. I might have missed a few. </p>
<p>Also, colleges will probably only care about the things that are done in High School. Keep that in mind.</p>
<p>There’s really no place in the application for “random acts of kindness” and broken bones are definitely not an EC although riding Motocross is.</p>
<p>…
this is so dumb that I almost think you are a ■■■■■
Activities are extra-curriculars not broken bones
Write an essay about the experience if it is so life-changing
Go brag about your son in one of the many other threads of these type that exist on CC.</p>
<p>Those are extracurricular activities. Think of all the home-schooled kids who get into top universities. They don’t have school clubs – they have activities. How the colleges view his activities will depend in part on how he presents them.</p>
<p>Uh, NJSoccer, it was sarcasm. Thanks for sparing me the ■■■■■ label, anyway.Of course broken bones aren’t, but it DID get this post attention. </p>
<p>My concern is that our small town school is very limited with extracurriculars for the “above average” (that was not bragging, right?) students. We have a meat and potatoes kind of school and “everyone has a gift” mentality. Perhaps I should have simply asked what home-schooled kids showcase on their applications to be attractive to admissions. Short and sweet.</p>
<p>The notion that colleges only care about things done in high school is a sad commentary on what society values. High school is a flash in the pan and “life” lasts much longer.</p>
<p>Momwaiting, thanks for the reply. All of the “what are my chances” posts have listed many school-related activities and traditional positions held in clubs, etc. Those won’t be on my son’s app and the blank areas may hinder his chances. </p>
<p>There is a lot of room for non-traditional, mind-expanding activities that don’t fit into that tidy little box. He will definitely present his activities in an attractive way when application time comes around. It is a good thing diversity is also a smiled-upon attribute.</p>
<p>vannilee, will you be doing your s’s gc letter? It’s kind of hard to tell, but I think you would be classified as a homeschooler.</p>
<p>The good news on that is that YOU get to let your child shine through your letter. The “bad” news is that you have to convince colleges that your child is capable of performing at the college level. Is your s currently applying to colleges? Again it’s hard to tell where he is in his high school career.</p>