I am going into my junior year, and I have been cheering for six years. I was captain of my JV squad, and am now going into my second year as a Varsity cheerleader. My question is, how do admissions officers view cheerleading? I realize that few people consider it to be a sport. However, I put a great deal of effort into it- because I cheer for basketball and soccer, the season is twice as long as that of any “sport.” I contribute a good amount of time to practices and games (at least 8 hours a week.) I have also won awards from the UCA (Universal Cheerleaders’ Association)- I was a UCA All-Star two years in a row, and was also offered a place in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the New Year’s Eve Parade in London, which I declined because I wasn’t allowed to take time off from school.
Because cheerleading takes up so much time, I have very little time for other ECs- I can’t hold down a job because of irregular games and practices, but I am V.President of my class, play JV Lacrosse in the Spring, and do volunteer work. I have a highly competitive GPA (3.97, 3rd in a class of 200), and I am looking to apply as an out-of-stater to competitive schools like Stanford and UCLA. Will cheerleading be looked upon as a “lesser” EC than those of other applicants? Should I drop it and work harder on my more “worthy” ECs?
Thanks a bunch for any feedback that you can give me!
<p>Don't drop the cheerleading, because in my opinion cheerleading is a "worthy" EC. You would stand out, because every school that has sports need cheerleaders, and you could be recruited. I'm not sure if cheerleaders get recruited, but you know what I mean. Your years of cheerleading show leadership and dedication. It's your passion, and if a school doesn't like that, then I don't think it's a good school for you. That's just my two cents.</p>
<p>whys everyone so worried about EC just have fun in HS</p>
<p>Cheerleaders --> spirit --> happy students --> good feedback --> good name for the college.</p>
<p>In essence, cheerleaders provide the very framework for a school's reputation. They need you like no other.</p>
<p>is ur name supposed to be from the fall out boy song?</p>
<p>heh, you don't know what you are talking about, your season isn't twice as long as any sport, at almost every big school basketball and football are basically year round. Basketball often has its normal winter season, spring league and a summer league, and conditioning during any time we do get off.</p>
<p>Cheerleading can be year long..fall/winter= football games and basketball games, winter/spring = competition season, summer = training/conditioning...</p>
<p>wow, i'm surprised i got so many responses so fast lol...</p>
<p>*sr6622: yes, that's where i got it from...gotta love that song
*stealthcoltage:yeah, i get what you're saying, but cheerleaders have practices starting in May, all the way through the summer, until late February/early March depending on how far the basketball team gets in playoffs. Our school puts a greater emphasis on music and the arts than on athletics, so football and basketball practices basically end when the regular seasons do. So, yes, I do "know what i'm talking about."</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far!</p>
<p>that is so mean and prejudiced...not all cheerleaders are dumb, and I know the OP isn't dumb, because her stats are good enough to stand on their own even if she wasn't a cheerleader. The OP being a cheerleader is a plus, because she manages to break that generalization that you just made by being a good student and having school spirit.</p>
<p>WOAH i'm not here for drama StealthVoltage so if you don't have any feedback that has to do with the purpose of my thread, then just don't post on it. Also, I know that I'm not a genius of any sort, but since you clearly think I'm a complete idiot...this is a link to another post that has my stats on it: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=86820%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=86820</a> ...enjoy
*thesiren, thanks for the backup, you rock...lol</p>
<p>Oh, wow...ahaha StealthVoltage, I just read one of your posts in which you said that you have a 2.0 GPA and have NEVER taken a single AP class...and you expressed surprise that I managed to FIND the website?? hahaha</p>
<p>sorry, i had to edit it..had some serious grammer mistakes. No problem, I am one of those people that considers cheerleading a sport, and I know the hard work and dedication it takes. You can't just learn how to do stunts and flips overnight..it takes many years, and you had to have had some experience before high school to even make the team. I'm not a cheerleader (never wanted to be), but I respect them, I'm a dancer and dancers get just as much BS in terms of whether it is a sport or not, so I know what you go through.</p>
<p>OP, I think that StealthVoltage was kidding on that post b/c if you read further it's all made up. But it still goes to show that he is a complete jerk who should be ignored. Don't quit cheerleading, and don't listen to people like him...that's my take on it</p>
<p>*cutee: lol oops thanks... but whatever-you're right, it still proves my point
*thesiren: yeah, i know what the dancers put up with, my sister used to dance. I'm not one of those psychos who goes around demanding that everyone accept it as a sport, but people like StealthVoltage who just start stuff are just so annoying. We put in the same amount of effort and time as basketball players or other athletes. I bet he sucks at basketball, anyways. lol</p>
<p>Hah, I was about to report StealthVoltage's post as offensive, but it said I'd gone to an invalid link. I refreshed, and it was already gone. Grr.</p>
<p>lol well, thanks for trying...it's good to know that I'm not the only one who thinks he's obnoxious</p>
<p>yeah, he is obnoxious..
To we're<em>going</em>down_swinging- keep up the good work and I think you have a chance at every college that you may want to apply to. That comment is really big right there, because I don't normally remark on chances threads. I have managed to break that rule twice today.</p>
<p>thanks, thesiren, i'm glad you think so!</p>
<p>Now that we're actually back on the original subject topic...anyone else have an opinion on the validity (in the eyes of admissions officers)of cheerleading as an EC?</p>
<p>I think you should keep it. Obviously it's something you enjoy doing, and that you're very good at doing. Also you've put a lot of time and work and dedication into it. Plus, it's a unique EC.</p>
<p>Good luck with your applications! I'm sure you'll do fine wherever you end up going.</p>
<p>thanks, CDN_dancer!</p>