Participation vs. achievement?

CTScoutmom
Sat, 24 Nov 2012 16:45:06 +0000

In your first example, it is partly going to depend on the school. Some schools are looking as much for students who will be active participants in their community as for students who are extraordinary. The student who didn’t go quite as far with the Karate, but spent time giving back to the community may value community more, and might be equally as talented - that other student’s success may have depended as much on good coaches as talent or drive. Student B may also have realized he didn’t quite have what it takes to reach that level, and instead placed priority where he could do some good.

In #7, your second student isn’t giving back to community in the same way. In that case, Kid A is likely to have the advantage, but again, it might depend on what those science related extracurriculars are. Were they activities where student B showed leadership? Did they involve teamwork? Could they possibly be better preparation for eventual work in the student’s eventual career choice, where teamwork might be necessary?