Developing Multiple Spikes
Originally written Spring '23
Jack Beecher, High School Senior Here.
Last time, I sent out a blog referencing the common admissions strategy of "developing a spike," (linked here if you haven’t read it). In it, I discussed the major advantage applicants have by focusing on one thing through the lens of Harvard admissions data.
But for many, including me, that might sound like daunting advice. Developing a spike makes sense in theory, but not if you enjoy being well-rounded and participating in a multitude of activities more. In this blog, I want to expand on that theme and discuss how you can do several things at a high-level (not a world-class level) and still achieve admission to top schools.
To do that, let me introduce you to the multi-spike model. Enough with the spikes already you might be saying, but give me a chance. I think you’ll like this one.
Unlike the spike model, the multi-spike model does not require you to drop all your activities to focus on one. Instead, it allows you to dig into several passions like all humans typically love to do. This model comes with some drawbacks—having to spend more time developing both spikes and not increasing admissions chances as much as a singular spike—but overall, it does a good job at letting you live a normal, high school life.
I fall in that exact category. I have a multitude of interests—probably too many—but I still wanted to get into a top-level school. So implicitly, without even knowing what it was, I followed the multi-spike model. I went heavy into math, taking as many college classes as possible, and heavy into golf, winning a state championship with my team.
But the great thing about this model: there is no one exact mold. You get to pick the two activities you want to multi-spike, and they don’t have to relate to each other at all.
The other day, while interviewing a student who got into Stanford (coming to Spotify soon), I was told a story of another student going to a top 5 university who followed this model with Physics and Music, two very unrelated endeavors. But they didn't want to prioritize one over the other because they enjoyed them both so much.
As an added bonus to the multi-spike model, you might’ve noticed the little spike I drew in at the bottom of the image (Yes, I know my Photoshop skills are impressive.) I put that in there on purpose. You don’t have to just focus on only two things. There is still a little room for more, which I attempted to represent with that little spike. Maybe you're super into math and computer science (me) but you also love philosophy (still me.) Well great, you have time to explore that.
The one thing I will address about this model is that it still requires you to make some sort of commitment, whether it be to an activity or a subject. Just because there are multiple arrows doesn’t mean you can spend your time in clubs you don’t enjoy or in APs you hate. This model still requires you to be disciplined in what you choose to spend your time on.
The main goal of the multi-spike, however, is to allow you to explore a wider variety of things, which obviously makes sense because we’re high schoolers who don’t have a clue what we want to do with our lives, and that is perfectly okay. Ultimately, you get to choose your path. Whether it be the multi-model, the spike model, or some other model, do what you think is best. No matter your choice, it will work out in the end.
Are you interested in talking through this concept in greater depth to potentially find out what your spikes can be? If so, schedule a free 45-minute call with our team to discuss how you can go about crafting a killer admissions resume. Or, you can also join the free College Confidence Community dedicated exclusively to helping families like yours crush college admissions.
Have a good one,
Jack Beecher
P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We specialize in changing the lives of students just like this, giving them the right structure, mentorship, and accountability to excel in high school...and ultimately gain admission into the college of their dreams. We do it year after year after year. It's not rocket science. But it is a science.
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