<p>I am a Senior, and have played Varsity soccer all 4 years, and Varsity basketball for 2 of them. Would those help my chances for colleges much?</p>
<p>Yes they will help. The soccer especially will show dedication which is always good.</p>
<p>BTW it's "affect".
"Effect" is the noun.</p>
<p>Psycho_Paroxysm got yourself an 800 on the verbal section didnt ya?!?!?</p>
<p>If you have only high school level talent, sports will count about the same as any other decent EC, like say playing the piano. But if you have college level talent in a given sport, then playing that sport is pretty much the very best EC you can have. Being a recruited athlete significantly enhances your chances of admission - even at schools that do not offer athletic scholarships.</p>
<p>No one particular TYPE of extracurricular activity is favored. What matters is how good you are. Many people make a big deal about sports because they require lots of dedication and time. Well, someone whose main extracurricular activity is photography or writing can show just as much dedication.</p>
<p>They only help to any extent if you end up being a recruited athlete. Two exceptions to this rule: Some schools like Notre Dame just plain like athletes even if they won't being playing at the college level. And, if you have NO other activities, a sport can at least show you aren't just a thinker and nothing else.</p>
<p>Your sports will show - at the very least - that you have dedication and committment to SOMEthing - even if you do not intend to pursue playing at the college level - but may be interested in club/intermural level even. Your sports can also show passion - depending on how you present them on your college applications.</p>
<p>I know an excellent student whose parents are convinced that he was accepted to Oxford, but not to Stanford because he did not participate in sports. The guy had tons of cool ECs.</p>
<p>On the subject of sports.....
what if your child is not on a SCHOOL sports team but plays (tennis tournaments) for a county/city team. He is OK, but not nationally ranked. Would this be worthwhile to even list on a college application? He has been playing on this team for a few years now (he is just starting his sophomore year) and enjoys it alot - but will it help his resume?
Thanks for any input :)</p>
<p>He should put it on his application, but unless he has a state ranking, I doubt it will much. Why doesn't he play for his school team?</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply.
He is actually thinking about trying out for the school team (try outs won't be until Spring) Of course there is no guarantee he will even make the tennis team, most spots are taken by returning players. I think if he could choose - he would just stay put with his old coach and teammates. This may not help him much on his college application though. Shouldn't he have SOME school sport? His other EC's are mostly brainy not sporty.</p>
<p>I think he should try to do something every afternoon after school. Whether it's a sport, the school newspaper, or community service really doesn't matter. Colleges just want to see that your son is involved in things other than academics.</p>
<p>Thanks. I really appreciate the input ;)</p>
<p>Anybody else with other ideas re the importance of sports on a college app?</p>
<p>Participation in a sport - or any other activity for that matter - out of school can be benificial in that it does show that the student is active in something - - it accounts for time spent - and not every kids has to be the best athlete in town to participate on a regular basis. But it does show the student is active -participating in an activity and has shown some dedication to something.</p>
<p>What other activities is this student involved in - in or out of school??</p>
<p>Thanks JeepMOM.
This year at school he is on the debate team, pre-law club, and the Latin Club -he and his friend had to start one because one was not offered. And afterschool he plays tennis, is in a church youth group, and volunteers at the museum on weekends. Last year our museum (MOA Ft. Laud.) hosted the King Tut exhibit, so that exciting. We try to do a few projects as a family - Habitat for Humanity, Walk Far for NAAR, Relay for LIfe etc. and his school has actually given him some commmunity service hours for it. I know there are some other things he would like to do afterschool, but with 3 kids at 3 different schools I just can't get them all there and back. Mommy guilt! When he finally gets his driver's license, he can drive himself (and his siblings too) I just hope that his NOT being on a school sports team isn't going to hurt his college chances....</p>
<p>Believe me - it won't!!!! .............I just hope that his NOT being on a school sports team isn't going to hurt his college chances.... .............. not all kids are school athletes - and if he is not going to be trying to get on a college varsity team - no problem....... but it also shows that he does do physical activity - if he wants to participate in a sport in college - many have what are called 'club sports' and intermurals. Doing a sport outside of school is just another bonus for him - and it certainly shows how well rounded he is also. (At least he is not sitting in front of a screen and playing video games all day!!!). The out of school sport will be ok.</p>
<p>He sounds like he has some very good ativities and interests and his inschool ativities should show some leadership qualities - such as starting a club - will look great on his college apps. So he will be in good shape for sure.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your input, I really appreciate it all :)</p>
<p>What year is he in?? Any idea at all of what he may be interested in studying?? Any ideas about colleges as of yet??</p>
<p>My son is a sophomore this year. He is interested in law and thinks that is what he wants to pursue. As far as colleges go he is interested in William and Mary, Cornell, UPenn, Georgetown and few others - BUT since we are not going to actually visit any schools until junior year, it is probably best that he keep an open mind. Since we live in Florida we will probably go east rather than west, but nothing is ruled out.</p>