<p>I'm an asian junior at a prep school (boarding school). I ran track freshman year at my old school and ran cross country and track last year. I lettered all seasons, but there's no way I'm running competitively in college. I've been getting High Honors all three terms last year (barely) in a relatively hard courseload. Next year my courseload is even harder but I'm confident I can do really well, maybe even 4.0 (my school doesn't weight GPA). Last year I took the AP exams in Modern European History, Chemistry, and Biology (self-study because I took a freshman course) and got 5's on all three. In college, I'm thinking of majoring in political science or something. I also play the viola very seriously and I'm working at conservatory level. This summer I went to a very rigorous string program with kids who are to become professional musicians. I'm thinking of minoring in like Quartet Performance or Orchestral studies or something. But the sports are interfering with my practice and studies significantly because of the travelling to meets and such. Should I continue with running to show commitment to the sport or should I quit and just focus on academics and string performance?</p>
<p>Don't engage in any activity just to "show commitment" on your college apps. Colleges can see through that type of thing. Engage in activities because this is your life and you should pursue things you enjoy, not because its a contest to see who can get into the "best" college.</p>
<p>I agree with Bay, particularly since you're only a junior. My d did the musical at her school as a freshman and a sophomore. Dropped it as a junior because her true passions took up too much time. It didn't affect her admissions situation at all. No one in her interviews asked about it, and she got into some great schools.</p>
<p>Some of the big sports boosters on this forum will probably weigh in with different advice, but I agree with the two previous posters. Go with your strong suit, and the one that interests you the most.</p>
<p>My son dropped all sports after 9th grade, and didn't even mention those, partly because he isn't particularly good at team sports, but mostly because they took too much time away from his real interests. He did quite well with acceptances and was offered a lot of merit money at top-ranked schools (those that offer merit money...)</p>
<p>Really, there are only so many hours in a day.</p>
<p>Everyone should have a little exercise. I say stick with it if you like it, if not then quit. If you don't mind, what are your PRs?</p>
<p>My daughter was a varsity swimmer in freshman year (and put this on her applications), then gave it up to concentrate on music, esp chamber music and voice. She did very well and got in everywhere she applied (ivy league) Make sure you make a CD and submit it by the deadline (sometimes earler that the ap deadline) I'm pretty sure it helped because she got notes on her acceptance letters complimenting her on her playing.</p>
<p>Well, I completely agree that everyone should have some regular exercise. That does not require participating in a team sport, however. Because my daughter has a full load of other activities, she decided not to do cross country this fall. Instead, she runs or bikes on her own every day. It's still exercise, and she can work it around riding lessons, music lessons and volunteer work at a vet clinic--not to mention a heavy load of honors and AP classes.</p>
<p>Like I said, there are only so many hours in a day.</p>
<p>Here's the thing:</p>
<p>Do you like running? If you don't, then quit.</p>
<p>But if you feel that you would miss being on the team, try to balance sports with your other commitments.</p>
<p>"Well, I completely agree that everyone should have some regular exercise. That does not require participating in a team sport, however. Because my daughter has a full load of other activities, she decided not to do cross country this fall. Instead, she runs or bikes on her own every day. It's still exercise, and she can work it around riding lessons, music lessons and volunteer work at a vet clinic--not to mention a heavy load of honors and AP classes.</p>
<p>Like I said, there are only so many hours in a day."</p>
<p>I am not pro or against sports, well I am pro. Although in this situation I feel like the person should do whatever they like the best. Just because he is not going to be the next Michael Johnson or Allen Webb does not mean he should not continue track if he likes it. </p>
<p>Again, do what you like OP. </p>
<p>Also, what you think is mediocre could be quite good. Up until recently I thought I was mediocre at track, now I have learned that my times could make me a D3 National Champ and I will probably end up becoming a D1 athlete. Moral is...even if you think you are mediocre you probably aren't. You probably set your standards far too high. </p>
<p>Good luck with whatever you choose.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone.
dank08, sorry, but what are PR's?</p>
<p>Personal Record-best time in whatever race you run.</p>
<p>I suck terribly at Cross Country (even though i've had exponential improvement; former 12;01 mile to now a 6;50!!) but I do it because it keeps me in shape. When I first joined I didnt think about college apps at all</p>
<p>mabye ill write about my improvement for something, I only got it after blowing myself off during freshman year, everyday i was tired, but the only part that sucks about it was that I simply overdid track (3 seasons!!!) and ended up with a 3.54 GPA that year....sophmore year I was more smart and did only 2 seasons, and got a 3.9 GPA</p>
<p>Talk about an improvement, that should be a good essay. Damn.</p>
<p>Oh right, I knew that, I thought it was some college ranking or something. The only race I've run seriously is the 800m and my best time is 2:29 (I'm a girl).</p>