<p>Well, I spend 20-30 hours a week on ECs and have plenty of time to engage in discussions. I think that you’re overstating the problem of ECs. ECs are supposed to show that kids can be renaissance “people” if you will and can be engaged in everything from music to sports to academics. I’m pretty sure that no school wants people that are only engaged in philosophy and academics. And I’m pretty sure every other college selects many of its students because they want to learn. And learning does not just invovle debate on greek epics or Locke’s theories or anything academic. Learning invovles nearly everything we do, and I have to say that Chicago and all other colleges want people who are inspired, who want to change the world, and who aren’t lazy.</p>