<p>Hello, I was very curious as to how big of a role athletics play in admission to Cornell University. I will be participating in varsity lacrosse, wrestling, and football (If I do not make the varsity football team, I will be competing in X Country, but that's irrelevant IMHO), and I was unsure of whether or not I should compete and work hard to do well in them while balancing academics.....Or maybe focus solely on academics? Do athletic achievements come into play? Does it look "better" to just participate in one, or will they understand that my passion is divided? In simple terms, I am just wondering if athletics will "improve" your chances on getting in, and, if they do, to what extent.</p>
<p>(Just a heads up: I am posting this to both the Cornell and Columbia CC page, don't think that I am spamming, it's just those two) </p>
<p>If you make it past regionals for anything, the amount of effort implied in that athletic event is shown. However, if you have to sacrifice academics to do so, not worth it. </p>
<p>If you have good grades and perform in athletics, it indicates that you are the type of person that demonstrates a rare combination of effort, determination and talent AND be able to handle academic rigor. The same goes for any competitive extracurricular (math contests, music/arts contests, etc.)</p>
<p>Don’t focus solely on academics. It’s a misconception that the grades alone get you in.</p>
<p>Participation is very iffy. Performance is much more valuable. (Suppose: I play X, Y, Z, Q and R. He placed 5th in States). Everyone can participate. Not everyone can perform.</p>
<p>But to be athletic you have to devote so much time to working out, staying in shape, and practicing. That combined with academic rigor, excellent grades, and high SATs, I think, would be worth more than a math related tournament and the same academic results, wouldn’t you agree? Especially with three sports.</p>
<p>Top schools want talent. They want people who excel at sports or excel at math tournaments, not just participate. If you want to participate at 3 sports (presumably because you get enjoyment out of it), then great. Go for it. If your academics are solid and you have 3 sports under your belt, your application will be stronger. If however, you end up with a 3.7 GPA and a 1950 SAT score, don’t blame the sports. No one forced you to overextend and participate in all 3.</p>
<p>Also, they don’t want narrow-minded people who can’t appreciate the interests/talents of others.</p>
<p>I am sorry if I diminished the accomplishments of someone (probably you, Norcal) who competed in a math tournament. I didn’t intend to offend anyone, it was accidental, and I apologize. I wish I could compete in a math tournament! </p>
<p>So being captain of the lacrosse team, a starter/star football player, and a wrestling regional champion junior year…and having a 2250 SAT score…getting all A’s in my courseload:
Pre-Calc honors,
AP Bio,
APUSH,
Chem I Honors
and participating in all sorts of clubs, looks really good to places like Cornell and Columbia?</p>
<p>I mean, those are some of the most physically demanding sports offered! Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s out of the ordinary, is it not? Someone that well-rounded is a good thing, right?</p>
<p>Those are some impressive stats given the fact that you’re playing rough and physically demanding sports year round. Being captain is also a huge plus for you. I’d say you’re a strong applicant for Cornell, but your weak point is a lack of any other ECs. You don’t show any intellectual vitality (to put it in Stanford’s terms) and that could hurt you. Try interning over the summer at some future job that interests you, or start clubs that you find academically interesting. If you do, and achieve things in those clubs (for instance, winning best delegate at an MUN conference), you will be a strong applicant for both Columbia and Cornell.</p>
<p>BTW, you haven’t specifically said, but are you a part of any non-sports activities at school? If so, inform us and we can give you a better picture of your chances thus far.</p>
<p>I didn’t imply a “one or the other”. Sports is sports. Math is math. Academics is academics. If you can do all of them, the better. However, if you just “participate” in everything without performance, you’re probably sacrificing something somewhere to get nowhere. More specifically, if you put in all that time conditioning your body and not perform, your talents probably lie elsewhere. If you ENJOY doing sports, go ahead and do them. </p>
<p>Participation in a math contest is pretty worthless… unless you place on the top XXX (dont remember how long the top list goes) list on the USAMO or something. Again, PERFORMANCE. </p>
<p>Putting it all together, people who are GOOD at doing the things they LIKE are rare. People are GOOD at doing LOTS of the things the like are rarer. People who TRY LOTS of things and are GOOD at doing some of the things they like are rarer still.</p>
<p>David – if you are recruitable for a sport such as lacrosse, it “looks best” for recruitment if you have played other sports as well as lacrosse. The coaches like to see athletes who compete year round and cross train.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to turn this into a “chance” thread, but I guess it just became one. To answer your questions, yes, I do participate in other activities. I am in Student Government, Science and Engineering Club, Student Leadership, and Drama. </p>
<p>Where am I lacking “intellectual vitality”?</p>
<p>i am in a somewhat similar situation… but how would the colleges even know if you are good at X sport? do you need to somehow notify them that you excel at this particular sport? because they cant tell by just looking at your transcript…</p>
<p>David, you look terrific for both Columbia and Cornell and you said you are an upcoming junior in HS. To be honest your class rigor is fine but it is not extraordinary by the standards of Cornell and Columbia. Are you attending a private highschool? Much also depends on the reputation and rigor of the HS. The classes you are taking may be viewed very differently if you are coming from a HS that is viewed as being a step above the rest. </p>
<p>I hope you could somehow include in your essay that you not only enjoy the competition of sports but discuss your desire to be and remain physically fit. It sounds like atletics are your passion and that is fine but don’t dismiss the reason why they are so important to you.</p>
<p>If you’re good enough to be a recruited athlete, it will help. BIG TIME. If not, here’s the problem – none of us (including me) really know how ECs are factored in. That having been said, I’ll share my (admittedly ignorant) opinion, like everyone else.</p>
<p>You show an aptitude and passion for athletics – which is a different skill set than an aptitude for academics. It makes you a well-rounded person. IMO, more well rounded than the ‘mathlete’ – not necessarily, better or worse, just more well-rounded. (And before I get flamed, I was a mathlete in HS). As HS Varsity Sports take a lot of time, it’s wouldn’t be surprising if you didn’t have other major time eating activities. </p>
<p>When you visit schools, try to make an appointment with the coaches Even if you don’t think you’ll compete in college, it couldn’t hurt. Personal example, one of my D’s applying to another school was a varsity athlete, the Coach told her that her grades were academics were good enough for the school, but that he didn’t think she was likely to make the team there. We didn’t hear from the coach again in the admissions process, but after acceptance, she received an invitation to the recruited athlete functions. We assumed that the Coach put her on some list of possible prospects. Bottom line, did it make a difference, probably not, but we’re sure it didn’t hurt.</p>
<p>Most important – be yourself. Athletics is who you are, and this is your passion. IMO, you’ll do your best and find the best fit by doing this.</p>