<p>For example, 2 white male students, equal grades/scores, both good writers, both athletes, both receive awards for their athletics. </p>
<p>One has done football for 4 years, (Fall sport)</p>
<p>The other has done Tennis for 4 years (Fall sport)</p>
<p>FACTS:
Football requires an extreme commitment that involves A LOT of summer/spring workouts way before the season starts, and off season weight training (mandatory at most schools, and mandatory to be successful) </p>
<p>Tennis still requires commitment, but no where near the commitment that football requires. They do have some summer training. Also, most players play "club".(Weightlifting would also help in this sport, but it is not as much of a "requirement")</p>
<p>Would/should colleges give more weight to the football player's app than the tennis player's? </p>
<p>PS: I am not trying to start an argument about "how tough" sports are, or anything along those lines. I do not want people posting "You probably played football and you think it's tougher than all other sports and therefore deserves more credit". That is not the case. I am not picking on Tennis/Football, this is just the easiest example I could think of for my question.</p>
<p>I think it depends on how you sell it in the application. If Football player just lists it... and the Tennis player won a regional championship in singles, was a tennis coach during the summer, and listed it with more hours- then I'm sure tennis wins.</p>
<p>Visa versa for football. Either one can require any amount of commitment. Sorry if I'm tennis biased, because I am ;p</p>
<p>A LOT of summer/spring workouts way before the season starts- check
off season weight training- check</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that there are LOTS of kids on the football teams (Freshman, JV and Varsity), and only a few (8 in our school) that make the Tennis team.</p>
<p>Consequently, there are probably lots of kids that have football on their apps, and relatively few that list Tennis..</p>
<p>If both students simply list on their applications that they participated in Varsity Tennis or Varsity Football, I doubt that an admissions officer would view them differently.
If either student has leadership positions (ex. Captain), or awards/championships, then that student would then have the edge.</p>
<p>Yea... it really depends on what you do with the sport.</p>
<p>Any sport can take up tons of time. For example, competitive club gymnasts usually practice about 20-25 hours a week (plus meets). Same with swimming, running, baseball, soccer...</p>
<p>In my opinion, any sports would be weighed the same. You never know, some school in the US might have its tennis program more rigorous than its football team.</p>