Do I have to have sports?

Applying to College
1

<p>So, report cards came in. I had straight A+s(not trying to brag, it goes with the story) and many people remarked that regardless, I don't have a chance without sports(At HYP and other high caliber schools). I used to be interested in basketball and swimming, but due to budget cuts, they have been made into "pay-to-play" sports. My family can't afford that. If I have pretty good extra-curriculars,good volunteering with a focus, awards like NMSF status, high SATs, near perfect GPA(hopefully perfect), and good rank(top 3), am I okay without a sport? </p>

<p>Note: I tried out this year and did not make the basketball team. I was pretty disappointed, but decided to do swimming as I realized that I did that more often already and enjoyed it, but now there is this problem with budget cuts. </p>

<p>I really appreciate all the help, because I do not want to be rejected because I could not do a sport, and I'm more interested in pursuing subject matter like math and science.</p>

<p>P.S. I know how hard it is to get into those high caliber schools, but I want to aim for the best, so I can be the best I can be(ignore the cliche sound of that).</p>

2

<p>Sports are only a “hook” to get into Ivy’s, high caliber schools, and really any school, if you are good enough to be recruited for their teams.</p>

<p>Just being on the HS team is not good enough to help you be admitted to a college. Stick to your clubs, etc. that interest you. (Do some community service, etc…)</p>

3

<p>“Do I have to have sports?”</p>

<p>Uh no, most definitely not.</p>

4

<p>yeah you if aren’t actually good at the sport or aren’t elected captain, its just like being a member of a club. If you are elected captain of the team, its like being elected president of a club; if you are actually very talented at the sport (which it sounds like you aren’t) then it can potentially be a hook if you’re recruited.</p>

5

<p>You do NOT need sports on your resume as long as you do have clubs and/or other activities. That’s true for HYP or any other schools.</p>

6

<p>Ok thanks a lot guys! The people in my school seem to have the misconception that I cannot get into not only HYP, but ANY university without sports. Thanks for the reassurance, I’ll stick to my math and science interests and expand into extracurriculars :)</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity though, what are the Stats and Activities of an average HYP admittee?</p>

7

<p>^why not check the acceptance threads in the school specific CC forums :)? </p>

<p>(although admittedly, sometimes those who have very distinguishable awards tend to not mention them for privacy reasons when posting their stats. and also, admitted students all have very varied interests, so it’s hard to said what kind of applicant is your “average” admittee.)</p>

8

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/900339-sports.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/900339-sports.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It gets just a bit annoying when the same poster makes duplicate threads.</p>

9

<p>I have no sports and got into HYPM. Unless you’re good enough to be recruited, ECs are ECs.</p>

10

<p>@Jersey13: O_o sorry! I honestly forgot about that thread.</p>

<p>@Millancad: Wow! Congratz! If you don’t mind, what were your stats/ECs?</p>

11

<p>^Woah, sorry. Should have put some of HYPM. I was waitlisted by one and didn’t apply to another. Stats/ECs can be found on the MIT EA thread or Harvard RD thread. Or in a bunch of other threads. Or via PM. I think Harvard and Yale have the most complete info.</p>

12

<p>^Impressive, nevertheless. Thanks, I’ll check that out :D</p>

13

<p>Not at all. I got into UCLA and Cal and I didn’t do any sports. I think what really matters is sticking with ONE extra circular and being DEDICATED to it.</p>