What are good ECs for Asian kids?

[Pizzagirl]

<p>Quote:
"Uh, it wasn’t for me (parent) to “require” them to spend x amount of time on their ECs. It was their bosses/managers/supervisors at their ECs. I was out of it, beyond ensuring transportation. It was THEIR GIG. Not mine.
Well, till my kid is 18+, my house, my rules. My kid knows this already. Consider squash, for example. "</p>

<p>How could I, the parent, “require” my kid to put in more time in a professional setting/workplace when she HAD a boss who made up a schedule? That would be rather like my mommy calling my workplace to tell my boss how to manage me.</p>

<p>There is benefit from letting a kid manage his or her own time, too. </p>

<p>And I find it atrocious that you wouldn’t “let” a kid play a sport just for fun and exercise.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

hahaha, if that were true you wouldn’t have put in the best EC’s for Asians. You just want a new thread in which you could stir the pot. If you want to know about other people’s thought process you just could ask them. When they give you their answer you should respect it as it was what you asked for.

</p>

<p>Have you ever heard of the Socratic method, kid?</p>

[3togo]

<p>

3togo, Before I answer, we have 50 states, so likely thousands of state level violinists. Why is that even a mentionable EC?

Why the change in the rules … you defined a hypothetical and wanted people to respond… so why won’t you return the favor?</p>

<p>So I created a hypothetical using your desired selection process and the totally objective numerical applicant rating system rates these applicants at the top of the heap of applicants because of the coded objective rules you implemented … so who would you pick?</p>

<p>(PS - As I said I personally think kids should pick and pursue ECs because they are interested in them … for me the implication for college does not enter into equation and is irrelevant … so I do not have a answer to your question (and in addition do not agree with the comments about ECs not being mentionable; they may not be a hook but they, like a tons of applicants are mentionable and worthy just not big differentiators from other candidates (of couse YMMV))).</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

How could I, the parent, “require” my kid to put in more time in a professional setting/workplace when she HAD a boss who made up a schedule? That would be rather like my mommy calling my workplace to tell my boss how to manage me.</p>

<p>There is benefit from letting a kid manage his or her own time, too.</p>

<p>And I find it atrocious that you wouldn’t “let” a kid play a sport just for fun and exercise.

</p>

<p>Not the right analogy. If you were bouncing from part time job to part time job, and your mommy told you to shape up and get a real, FT job, that would be the right analogy. Of course kids should manage their own time. The requirement is that they put in a bare minimum effort if they want parental support. Doing things for fun and enjoyment is fine, but don’t call that an EC. It’s like watching TV.</p>

[limabeans01]

<p>

So what are the good ECs for Asian kids?

</p>

<p>post #2 by Startbright was pretty straightforward and answered your question quite well.</p>

<p>

The same ones that are advocated on this board for all kids: activities that kids are excited about and want to do. Driven by their unique interests and strengths, not driven by ‘getting into college’ guide books, advice on college forums, parents, or resume padding goals.

</p>

<p>but you have morphed your simple question into now claiming that kids need to "prostitute themselves in order to get into college. I have a feeling your kid already applied and did not get into a worthy (IYO) college. The only way you can save face is to make a mockery out of the whole thing.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

Why the change in the rules … you defined a hypothetical and wanted people to respond?

</p>

<p>This is why. I didn’t find any of the candidates worthy of getting a spot. Now, if you compare a Tiger Woods with another Tiger Woods who also volunteers, that would be a good comparison, and both should get in.</p>

[mokusatsu]

<p>Nothing makes a man so cross as success, or so soon turns a pleasant friend into a captious acquaintance.</p>

[limabeans01]

<p>3togo…</p>

<p>

Why the change in the rules … you defined a hypothetical and wanted people to respond… so why won’t you return the favor?

</p>

<p>This is what he does when your answer isn’t something he can criticize or make fun of.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

but you have morphed your simple question into now claiming that kids need to "prostitute themselves in order to get into college. I have a feeling your kid already applied and did not get into a worthy (IYO) college. The only way you can save face is to make a mockery out of the whole thing.

</p>

<p>ROFL. How old are you kid? My kid is far away from applying age.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

And I find it atrocious that you wouldn’t “let” a kid play a sport just for fun and exercise.

</p>

<p>One note. You don’t play a sport for exercise. You exercise to play a sport.</p>

[limabeans01]

<p>^I already answered that question for you. How old are you?</p>

[Bay]

<p>

You don’t play a sport for exercise. You exercise to play a sport.

</p>

<p>…which according to you is “just like watching TV” unless you are all-state.</p>

[3togo]

<p>

Why the change in the rules … you defined a hypothetical and wanted people to respond? </p>

<p>This is why. I didn’t find any of the candidates worthy of getting a spot. Now, if you compare a Tiger Woods with another Tiger Woods who also volunteers, that would be a good comparison, and both should get in.

</p>

<p>OK … update all <em>3</em> scenarios and replace state-level violinist with Isaac Stern level violinist … and then in choices #2 and #3 the one applicant is near Isaac Stern level but with the additional volunteer work and comes out exactly even on your applicant rating system … all worthy of admission … however you can not violate the capacity of you school (you must make a choice in all 3 situations). Who do you choose?</p>

[Hunt]

<p>

But the whole packaging piece is odious.

This is why I always go to a job interview in my pajamas.</p>

<p>This thread has lots of silly stuff in it, but there are some serious issues that might concern parents and kids reading this. People really do want to know if they should be doing something special to improve their chances at getting into competitive colleges–lots of kids ask questions like that on CC. The serious answer is that kids should do their best at what they love best–and they should go to the colleges that value what they’ve done. But when you’re actually writing your application, you should be smart and think about putting your best foot forward.
And if you’re really on the fence about whether to play the violin or the bagpipes, choose the bagpipes.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

^I already answered that question for you. How old are you?

</p>

<p>Old. Really old.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

OK … update all <em>3</em> scenarios and replace state-level violinist with Isaac Stern level violinist … and then in choices #2 and #3 the one applicant is near Isaac Stern level but with the additional volunteer work and comes out exactly even on your applicant rating system … all worthy of admission … however you can not violate the capacity of you school (you must make a choice in all 3 situations). Who do you choose?

</p>

<p>Coin flip.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

This is why I always go to a job interview in my pajamas.

</p>

<p>Wrong analogy Hunt. The right analogy would be to not pursue what you wanted to truly pursue, and instead pursue something so that it makes you look good in the interview. That’s so fake. I can’t believe so many people are for it. Thank goodness this kind of nonsense is not required in Grad School applications.</p>

[Bay]

<p>IP,</p>

<p>Since you know better than everyone else what an “EC” is, why don’t you just download the Common App, read it, and decide for yourself what would look good on it? You appear to consider yourself the ultimate authority on everything anyway.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

…which according to you is “just like watching TV” unless you are all-state.

</p>

<p>Pretty much.</p>

[IndianParent]

<p>

Since you know better than everyone else what an “EC” is, why don’t you just download the Common App, read it, and decide for yourself what would look good on it? You appear to consider yourself the ultimate authority on everything anyway.

</p>

<p>I am here to learn at your feet, Bay.</p>