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@Phycoticcc
6 answers, 17 votes
 • 2 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Is this Extracurricular Achievement Any Good?

At the start of my Sophomore year (current year), I became the founder and captain of the chess club in my school. Although I know that in itself isn't much of an achievement (I want to get into an Ivy League, preferably Harvard or Princeton), I am wondering how high up of an achievement this is:

I attracted two international chess masters leveled players (under 18) into joining/attending my chess club. For context, my goal in starting this chess club was to disprove harmful stereotypes in regard to chess, and I have a spike in politics/humanitarian works.

Thank you so much!

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@Liltrooper
221 answers, 463 votes
 • 2 years ago

Hi @Phycoticcc

If you yourself are a master-level Chess Player say 2200 and above, then that definitely puts you into a category where Ivy League schools are interested. If you are less than 1800, I'm not sure if that is a big deal anymore.

I would say that starting a chess club, and managing a chess club at school is really not a significant EC. It's a decent one but not a proxy for being the President of the Student Body, Valedictorian, Editor of the Newspaper, or a State Level Varsity athlete.

If you love chess, continue doing this. If you want to get into a top Ivy lie Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Columbia, I would find some other ECs that show you have made an impact in your community through some leadership role.

Good luck.

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[🎤 AUTHOR]@Phycoticcc2 years ago [edited]

Hey, thank you so much for that answer! I was thinking merely about the aspect of what I said "I attracted two international chess masters leveled players (under 18) into joining/attending my chess club. For context, my goal in starting this chess club was to disprove harmful stereotypes in regard to chess, and I have a spike in politics/humanitarian works." Whether or not that accomplishment is Ivy worthy or not.

@Liltrooper2 years ago [edited]

It matters little who is in your club because it has nothing to do with your skills as a chess player. The fact they attended your club or perhaps joined your school club doesn't mean you are a more compelling applicant to Harvard of Princeton. They are impressive, but the fact you know other impressive people doesn't make you more impressive. It's sort of like name-dropping. If I told my Harvard or Princeton interviewer that Barack Obama thought I was a good guy, would that count for anything?

[🎤 AUTHOR]@Phycoticcc2 years ago

I think that makes sense. I was thinking it would have weighed for something since that was my goal of the chess club- to be able to attract. Also I think being complimented by Obama might help a lot haha

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