<p>I am a Cross Country Runner and Track and Field distance runner, and am pretty good (4:25 mile time and 15:38 5k as a sophomore). However, I am relatively uninterested in competing in these sports in college. But, due to practices everyday and on weekends, I have no other EC's.
My grades are good (3.9 gpa and 2070 SAT), but I am worried that my lack of life due to running might hurt my chances at the schools that I want to attend. </p>
<p>Will the admissions offices at colleges understand that since I'm an athlete, that I don't have time for any other Ec's, or will they overlook that fact?
And does my disinterest in continuing to run hurt my chances?</p>
<p>I would agree that your running has become your primary extra curricular activity. Perhaps if you don’t want to compete in college, you use your essays to describe what running has meant to you - required that you plan your time, given you a group of like-minded friends, allowed you to set personal goals and meet them, whatever is important to you about running. If you are considering a highly competitive school, it will help your chances to have some additional EC’s to balance out the academics and the running.
The other consideration is to talk to runners at some schools and see how they fit it in to their lives. My son runs at Swarthmore (all three seasons), and he still has joined a fraternity, works in a lab, and is getting good grades. If you choose a school where the sports demands are more than you want to give, then don’t run. If you choose a D3 school where it’s not as competitive athletically, it might work for you. Don’t narrow down your choices now, but it’s good you realize that running in college might not be best for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>That’s a tough one. Your times are very good for soph year and if you continue to progress, being a recruited athlete could open some doors for you at some colleges. However if you honestly have no interest in running, you’ll have to be honest with yourself in answering some questions. Is running preventing you from exploring some other passion that you have that you may want to pursue in college? Is running something you do for enjoyment and do you enjoy the experience of being on a HS athletic team? Does running provide a physical means of stress relief for you that helps you perform better in the classroom? I do feel that sometimes admissions doesn’t appreciate that there are only so many hours in a day. I also feel that if you don’t plan to run in college, you may want to make some time to show that you’ve explored another interest that you may want to continue in college as they like to know how you will contribute to their campus. Life is too short…if you enjoy running…run. If you have another interest, try to find a way to explore it too.</p>
<p>Admissions officers understand the commitment it takes to excel (like you are) in a sport and it will not hurt you to have this as your main EC when you apply to colleges. If you like to run and want to continue through high school, then you will have the opportunity to gain some recognition in your sport. You do not have to plan on competing in college in order to give your high school sports experience “value” for college admissions</p>
<p>I’m a recruited athlete and several of my teammates that were applying to top-tier schools and only had running as an extra-curricular did not get in where they want to go. It definitely does hurt you to only have running as an extra-curricular. It makes you look one-sided and like you have no interests. Especially if you’re not a recruit. Its not that hard to have other extracurriculars. I held a part-time job for a year and a half and was very active in my Model UN club and I’m the second fastest distance runner on my team. The first is one of the best milers in the country. </p>
<p>If you’re not planning on running in college I would strongly suggest that you start to get involved in something else.</p>
<p>The answer to this question is that no one really knows the answer to the question, and that it probably varies from school to school. In fact, it also might make a good essay topic.</p>
<p>But one thing is clear: if you are truly dedicated to your sport and do not wish to continue in college, this is your one chance to see what you can do. Go for it, or you will regret it later, even if it means that you might not be able to pad your resume by participating in other activities in which you have less interest.</p>