<p>Just wondering…Feel free to share if you’ve got one of each and have been through the process, or if you have firsthand knowledge.</p>
<p>Like all generalizations of this kind, it depends. I think colleges realize that there are advantages to having the spectrum of personality types on campus. Because applications are a written medium, introverts can often shine in their essays. I don’t think there is any advantage one way or another as far as grades are concerned, and even sports has its share of introverts. Most of the cross country runners on my kid’s team were more introvert than extrovert, as I remember. The young man whom I know who landed an early write from Yale in my Dd’s year was a math whiz who was very academic and very introverted. Very serious academic types often are. But then the class “leaders.” the ASB presidents and the like, are often people persons and quite extroverted.
So no, my feeling is that there is no advantage per se with regard to this distinction. It all depends on the strength of the individual’s overall applications and how each kid fits into building a class.
Also, I think many kids are some combination of introvert/extrovert depending on the situation. </p>
<p>You bring up some good points. I suppose if the student is a superstar standout, introversion won’t matter, but it does seem that and upbeat extrovert would shine in interviews. But you’re right; essays can show depth of an introvert’s thoughts as well as an extrovert’s.</p>
<p>Am I missing something? Is there no such thing as an upbeat introvert? I mean introversion is one thing. Shyness is another. Introverts can nail an interview, too. </p>
<p>My son asked a college rep at a college fair if extroverts had an advantage in the application process. The rep stammered a bit, trying to figure out what to say. He tried to say no, extroverts weren’t favored but then went on to basically contradict himself as he described qualities the college looked for in an applicant.</p>
<p>It does seem the introverted non superstar standout might not look as good on paper as the extroverted non super star standout just by sheer number of activities. But maybe that can be seen as resume padding? </p>
<p>I have thought a lot about how to showcase son’s qualities and potential contributions as much as possible (I will be writing his ‘counselor’ letter).</p>
<p>Agree an introvert might not be shy. I think often people use the word introvert when they really mean that the person is shy. I’m an introvert but I’m “on” all the time for my job. No problem as long as I balance that with plenty of alone time as being upbeat/on/outgoing exhausts me competely…I’m not shy at all…simply a pretty classic introvert. A shy person might struggle with an interview, an introvert might not have any issues at all. When I have had occasion to do media training I might not know if a person is an introvert or not, but generally you can figure out who is a shy person. You can also get therapy for shyness, especially if it starts when kids are young, but introverts are always introverts. </p>
<p>Yes, there are misconceptions for what an introvert is. It’s commonly used to describe shyness. I am introverted, as well. When I tell people this they generally spout off with “No way!” Or “But you talk!” Just like you said, you cannot look at a person and determine if they are an introvert. I think this question is flawed in a sense. Introverts can be leaders. They can excel at public speaking. They can excel at an interview. They can excel with socializing at parties. They just handle their situation and time differently than an extrovert would. </p>
<p>I guess I’m referring to an introvert who doesn’t ooze with charisma and energy, yet in the right situation, when comfortable, can shine, but in large groups of people, will be more often silent and the extroverts will usually draw all the attention.</p>
<p>So perhaps the question would be better asked, do extroverts do better in admissions than shy people? </p>
<p>I too am an introvert who is not shy. I have two introverted kids at top-by-CC-standards schools. Doing well in an one on one interview isn’t really related to introversion vs extroversion, IMO. </p>
<p>One thing students tend to worry about unnecessarily, imo, is the college interviews. Most of the time the colleges are trying to sell the college to the student, not the other way around. And alumni interviews really don’t count for much, if anything. I suppose if a student were really obnoxious, rude or some other way over the top, it might hurt, but for regular kids who make an effort, the interview is sort of a formality. </p>
<p>So does the shy person shine less in high school, and therefore look better on paper to an AO? I think that sometimes, yes, but if shy students can get to know a couple of their teachers, show interest in their coursework and become known to their counselor, they should get positive recommendations. I do think it’s important to contribute in classroom discussions, and not doing so could hurt in recommendations, and therefore, admissions.
Whether a student is comfortable is social settings is far less important, imo.</p>
<p>I tend to think they like introverts because they can write better essays. But extroverts do well in life, because they are extroverts.</p>
<p>*Because society favors extroverts. </p>
<p>It’s not totally society’s fault. Can’t blame them for being attracted to shiny things…</p>
<p>Since the vast majority of entering college freshman do nothing but submit transcript and test scores, this question is not very apropos. </p>
<p>Something that I wanted to mention to people who have introverted children, and are concerned about how they may do in interviews: I think you might be surprised by your S/D’s interviewing skills. I certainly was!</p>
<p>i would think an introvert would do quite well “one on one.”</p>
<p>Yes, I think a lot of them do!</p>
<p>I am glad to read all the encouraging remarks regarding shy and/or introverted students. (Though maybe most of the comments were about introverts)</p>
<p>Someone once called my introverted son a “black pearl”. It was very apt. He shines, but is often obscured in the company of extroverts. Yet, in the right setting, people would never know he was once painfully shy and is a low energy introvert. I don’t think I appreciate him enough or appreciate just how far he’s come. </p>
<p>My oldest is the extreme opposite, a highly energetic, dynamic extrovert and a really nice kid. He overshadowed my middle son, never intentionally, for years. It’s nice that he is away at school so my middle son has a chance to come into his own. I just get concerned because my middle son is more dry, more subtle, not bubbly, but has an amazing sense of humor and wit once you get to know him…but it has to be on his terms.</p>
<p>And there is nothing wrong with that. If your son has control over what he shares, I’m sure he’ll know when to turn the charm on in an interview. Flashy isn’t always best. </p>
<p>Got to love those who don’t show their hand all at once. The world needs introverts. </p>
<p>The problem is that many introverts need a significant amount of downtime alone to recharge and thus may find it difficult to include socially demanding ECs in an already people-packed schedule. So that could affect admissions. Also, many teachers are drawn to the charismatic extroverts and the lower- keyed introverts may be overlooked. So recommendations may be more muted. I’m not talking about the brilliant kids here. But for the typical bright but not brilliant students, I do think charismatic, high energy students have an advantage in admissions over quieter, lower key, lower energy students, all else being equal. But who cares, really. He’ll find a great place that will be very happy to have him.</p>
<p>Well I think the difference, if any, is negligible. On paper, I doubt admissions officers can tell whether one is an introvert or extrovert and only a small amount of colleges require interviews, and among those that do, it is a small piece of the puzzle. A place where it could matter, though, is the letters of recommendation and extracurriculars. Depending on how active you are as an introvert or extrovert, you may be described slightly differently, but extroverts may naturally find it easier to become leaders in the organizations they are part of.</p>
<p>I am a self-described introvert. I talked about that point in my essays and how I really loved to pour myself into my writing and delve into it deeply, but on the outside I had to overcome obstacles to become comfortable with things such as public speaking and finding the right thing to say when meeting new people. On the contrary, I do quite well in the interviews because I enjoy the one on one conversation with someone that is nearly as passionate as I am about the college and many other issues important to me. I have found that they usually do a good job of selecting good interviewers or even go as far as to pair you up with someone they think fits your personality.</p>
<p>As for extracurriculars, I slowly built myself up as a leader. While never the natural outgoing kid who could speak in front of crowds easily, I slowly grew, learning about the organizations I was passionate about and becoming really involved in them. By the time officer elections and board selections came around, I was one of the most skilled members and dedicated, so it seemed only natural to rise up as well. By being really involved in your passions, it is really easy to talk to other people about them, and building relationships slowly person by person can be just as beneficial, because you know you have deeper relationships with ones that you are closer with. I learned that becoming a good leader wasn’t something that you are born with (although some are) but something you build up slowly by experience and by being observant enough that you know what is wrong and how you would fix it if you were in charge. So, it actually became a strength of mine when applications came around.</p>
<p>Colleges admit all sorts of people. They are not looking for a class of extroverts. Or a class of introverts. They are looking for people that can do amazing things and have that spark inside of them that they can define themselves and the campus with.</p>