Marching band is great. Adcoms know how much time it takes.
@inthegarden any kid should apply to the right colleges for him. There are thousands, besides directionals.
When a kid applies to a highly or most competitive (many posters define reaches as under 25% or sometimes 30% admit rates,) he needs to be competitive, to get an admit. That includes nice…and a whole lot more. Otherwise, they’ll pick the kids who do fit THEIR needs.
It starts with “match.” Not just stats. Not just what he wants. Certainly not, he only did what he wanted to. You don’t send an app and inform a college you’ll be there in Sept. They have to choose you.
It is not simply, “meaningful to the kid.” It’s lovely when we see this filtering in our kids. But not when you target a college that defines its own “meaningful.” Or a major that has it’s own bar for preparation, academically and in ECs.
Posters keep repeating that #1 is to be you. BUT the colleges are looking for the “you” that fits with THEM. If you don’t want to be that, then find the colleges that fit your kid.
I don’t see why people stumble over this.
Devouring books in kindergarten is not a trait colleges look for. It’s about the hs years. Are you saying the only thing your kid does is marching band?