Obviously I agree. I really do not care what it is, if a kid asks a question of the form, “Should I do more of X, which I don’t love, instead of Y, which I do love, because I heard College likes X more than Y,” my answer is extremely likely to be no. Instead, my answer is do Y, then find colleges that appreciate your doing Y. And if that is not College, fine, you don’t need them.
I think what may sometimes ends up a miscommunication is some kids may not understand I am completely serious about that last bit. I do not care how highly ranked, famous, prestigious, or whatever a college might be. None of them are unquestionable judges of a childhood well spent. None of them are really even trying to answer that question.
So if for you, a childhood well spent doesn’t maximize your chances at getting into some college, so what? I don’t think that means you are any worse of a kid because of that, and you shouldn’t think that either.
And yes that is a type of value judgment in itself, but so be it. I am comfortable saying no kid should see college admissions as a test of their relative merit as a kid. It is about finding a great college for you.