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<p>I wish my child had more ECs to put on her applications. What she did have was six years’ worth of voice lessons, which she stuck with on her own, simply because, in her words, she likes to sing and she likes spending time with her voice teacher! She doesn’t love to perform, though ironically enough she got a merit scholarship to one of the schools she applied to on the strength of her vocal talents (we just packaged up some highlights from the junior recital she participated in, grumbling all the way). I don’t think it’s wasting time or money to schlep your kids to and from lessons and such if they enjoy it and if you (and, most important, they) value training in classical music in and of itself. It certainly isn’t going to hurt them when it comes time to apply to college, whether or not they are competitive for whatever you deem to be the “best” program. There’s absolutely no need for your kids to go to the “same school as the neighbor’s kids” unless that’s where they really want to go, because no matter what their level of accomplishment, there are all manner and kind of terrific schools and programs, for kids of all levels of achievement, all over the country. Of course, I know nothing about where your kids fall on the spectrum of ability. I’m sure they’re AWESOME just like mine. :D</p>