@whateversquared @jazzcatastrophe I agree that you should not present a resume with a laundry list of EC’s just to impress admissions. But you certainly do not have to narrow down your involvement to a single focus on one’s major. I have two D’s who were accepted to NYU. They were both interested in music, art, theatre and had student government positions. One D also had a leadership position in a youth group though our local synagogue.
Going into senior year, their EC’s were similar, but one chose to apply to NYU as a vocal performance major and the other as a studio art major.
Both got accepted into Steinhart’s scholars program. Younger D recently asked for a recommendation letter from one of Steinhart’s deans. It was interesting to note that they spoke of how she was an embodiment of all that Steinhardt offered with her multi-faceted interests in music, art, theatre and education. So it was not a singular focus that was her ultimate appeal, but rather her more global interests in the arts combined with leadership.
In terms of scholarship money at NYU, the vast majority is based on need. If they really want you, they will gap you less. Some talent based programs (with auditions or portfolio requirements) offer merit scholarships (without need), but other than MLK scholarships, everything else is need based.