Is having a girlfriend for three years a solid extracurricular?

annikasorrensen
Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:34:04 +0000

It is not hard to maintain a girlfriend/boyfriend in highschool. You live at home. You have upwards of 90 - 100% of your daily needs met (food, clothing, shelter, mom or dad driving you everywhere) and probably a lot of extras (cable tv, internet access, computers, video games). What true accomplishment is a highschool love affair?

Are you supporting your girlfriend financially? No. Her parents take care of all her needs. So what do we have here? Two completely dependent minors living in their la-la land enjoying the fruits of their PARENTS’ labors.

The dating? Big whoop - two kids being bestest friendsies. How much effort does that take other than txting each other or calling each other on your cellphones (does Mom or Dad pay for your cell phone plan, too?). And perhaps also having sex… ah the joys of not really thinking about the future consequences of STDs or pregnancy as a minor.

I see nothing at all about 2 high school kids dating that has them stand out for the positive in a college application. I am generically glad they have had the chance to nurture a friendship (or more), but from an adult perspective, I sincerely believe that dating when TOTALLY dependent (ie: 80% or more of your total daily living costs are covered by your parents…food, rent, medical insurance etc) is mock-dating/practice for the real thing. It isn’t an accomplishment.

The longevity-which seems to be the OPs bragging point-is not an important factor.

I’m not saying that loyalty doesn’t have its place… but in an essay, only if there is a bigger challenge beyond “I’ve been kissy face with the same girl for 3 years.” Lessee, if the girl went through cancer and you were at her side, then it would be interesting. Not the dating, but what you learned emotionally from being so close to a difficult life situation.

Fighting over what movie to see (driving in Mommy’s car after being fed dinner at home) with a girlfriend and having the maturity to see past those differences is NOT essay material.

All above examples are my own exaggerations. If OP wants to post something of real depth, perhaps the responses will be different.

So far, no one is impressed. OP needs to realize that short of a brilliant twist that he hasn’t presented yet, this topic is going to likely be received poorly or at least be a risky choice.