It’s harder to talk about the vast range of things a kid can do in apps and interviews that get a negative reaction than the easy ‘win national acclaim’ or ‘write a killer essay.’ But it’s about the whole picture you create.
In general, achievement spikes are not enough, without the rest of it. They can impress, but then what? It’s holistic, not hierarchical. There’s no saying an international award tops other needed qualities.
My concern with the hypothetical here is it shows a limited view of what does matter, that whole. Theres a lot to convey.