<p>Thanks a lot for your answers. That was helpful. I suppose it’s not that I don’t think the schools can see past his rather empty admissions folder but more that I was surprised by the amount of space given to list all his accomplishments. Our thought was to give him the opportunity to be a kid when he is a kid and then give him the opportunity to reach out/branch out when he is old enough to appreciate it and participate in a more sophisticated world. No part of me wants to shelter my kid- I am really excited he wants to explore BS. It just was surprising to me that they wanted my son to list all his community services. His entire extended family without exception gives back to their community- we were raised that way but who asks a 10, 12, 14 year old to “give back”? Sure, be civic minded but don’t parents model this behavior and then kids, when they are adults and have perspective, give back?<br>
Do you find there is a lot of contrived “go out and do this for the applications” out there? He is only in 7th grade so I guess I could get him involved this summer but I am almost embarrassed to do this. He naturally is a giving person and is very proud of his parent’s volunteerism and will surely follow suit, but he does not actively do community service (other than earth day clean up and helping his elderly relatives with miscellaneous chores) Has anyone else been in this situation??</p>