<p>Okay, you guys are totally running a slippery slope.
I didn’t say people needed to be completely committed to one thing (academics is constantly being used as an example in this thread.) But that doesn’t mean people should go and do things they don’t care about to be “well rounded” or “better qualified.” </p>
<p>SonicBoom:Colleges are not necessarily looking for “well rounded” students. Often times they want passionate ones! Perhaps UCSD is looking for “well rounded” but I know schools like Caltech want passionate kids for science/math and Stanford and Rice have stated that they want “passionate” ones. Sure, they need to be able to communicate and pleasant but they also need to excel in what they love. (okay fine, maybe not what they love but are good at)</p>
<p>who says everybody good at academics isn’t good with their social life? That’s such a stereotype and sometimes it’s false.(though admittedly there are quite a few that fit into this stereotype. The problem with UCSD is that it doesn’t take this into account. What does a list of meaningless activities mean in the long run?</p>
<p>I’ve thought about what you’ve said. And I watched trends over the years. I’ve watched so many dispassionate "well-rounded students get rejected from colleges because it looks like padding and padding worthless in the long run.</p>
<p>Sonicboom, I think you need calm down before you take on this aggressive tone. And yes, I can tell that you’re annoyed due to dropped the periods, “ok?” and the curt ending. You’re acting like you know everything about the system. Talk to a few admission officers and they’ll tell you quite the contrary. Perhaps I don’t know much either, but when you generalize “colleges are looking for WELL rounded students” that’s definitely not true. If you want details PM me, I don’t feel like sharing some of the information on such a public forum.</p>
<p>Why would colleges want students that wouldn’t succeed? What do “well rounded students” translate into?</p>
<p>Btw, I’m not bitter about this system. Nor am I that un “well-rounded” student. Actually many have told me that the preference for ECs will give me an edge. If you want my list of ECs feel free to PM me…</p>
<p>Does being a child of divorced parents, an immigrant, etc make you a well rounded student? That’s what you’re saying about UCSD. </p>
<p>I’m just curious. Sonicboom, have you ever talked to an admissions officer from a highly selective school or even from a UC?</p>
<p>hm… no wonder somebody I know stopped talking on cc due to all the false information that circulates…</p>