<p>I'm just wondering. How much do sports really help your acceptance into Yale, or even Harvard? Do they put the same weight to working as they do to sports? I've been thinking of conditioning for next year's XC season, but I'm also getting a part-time job next year during the same period. If i dont have to do the sport, I might just skip it. </p>
<p>Also, how many of you guys who applied/got accepted by the Yale or any other similar school played some type of sport during the school year, whether for the school or rec?</p>
<p>If you are good enough to possibly be recruited, then condition by all means. You will have an amazing push if the coaches decide to list you come the early round. Everyone in my sport that was listed, aka not me by about 10 seconds got in. If I had spent more time working on my time, like I did after my deferral, 20 seconds dropped, then I would be in Yale right now.</p>
<p>Don't play a sport just to get into college... play it because you like it. But if you're doing something that you love and doing it well- adcoms will see that and i'm sure it'll help you out.</p>
<p>Very true, and I do love my sport. Also don't do it just to be recruited but if that is a possible outcome then working hard will do a lot for you.</p>
<p>hey, beechbum114, since you live in Florida, you probably know how the XC is in our state. how far do you have to run, usually? just want to know, in case i decide to go for it.</p>
<p>I always remember what the Stanford Admissions Office said during their session "Remember that the total picture is important.... if you have great grades at the same time you have a part time job at the same time you are doing a sport, it shows you have the bandwidth to do multiple things at once... do the studying, the practicing and you show up at work on time....."</p>
<p>Example : AP Calc, Honors Chem, Honors Physics, AP History, AP English, Honors French during Junior Year, along with some 1/2 yr electives, AP Govt and Honors Psych...at the same time, on the ski team and worked as a ski instructor on weekends and all holidays, not a race "finalist" .... he got all A's and got strong SAT II"s and SAT I's during this same period....... no one thing got this kid into Yale, but the sum total of it all made a big difference.... it showed the bandwidth was there to do the work.... </p>
<p>we think..... so, unless you are a recruited athlete.....you should participate in what you like/love and make sure you can honor your commitments as you add items.....only take them away if they would interfere with your ability to deliver on your commitments...or if you no longer enjoy the activity....</p>
<p>now is not the time to be laid back about your efforts...... in my opinion....</p>
<p>Sword....all the races between other schools are 5k (3.1 miles)....we usually run between 3-6 miles during practices...with additional speed workouts. During the season it can get brutal from the humidity and the sun. I def. think you should do it....it was one of the most rewarding experiences Ive ever had. OH!....and run some street races that are put on by Track Shack....you come home with lots of free stuff :D</p>
<p>OK. Here's the thing. If you are REALLY good at a sport (good enough to be recruited), then it will help a lot. But, if you aren't stellar, it won't help very much... it will only help as much as any regular activity would help.</p>
<p>I think if you have leadership positions on a sports team (i.e. Team Captain or Co-Captain) or have garnered awards (such as MVP) it helps tremendously. Perhaps as much or more than other typical leadership positions (i.e. SGA President, Secretary, etc.). </p>
<p>I know that my love of Track and XC since 7th grade (before my intentions could be corrupted by the college process) helped me a lot getting into Stanford (and hopefully Yale). My coach must have written a good rec, and holding 6 school records doesn't hurt. But at the same time, I've never been to Regionals, or States, etc. (b.c. I go to a private school). The only national level competition I've participated in was the Footlocker XC Championships Northeast Regional, where I got like 200th place, nothing too impressive. </p>
<p>So bottom line, if you really like a sport, and you have the potential to excel and distinguish yourself in some way (even if it is only at the school level) go for it, it will most definitely help in the long run. </p>
<p>Deciding to play a sport rather than work is a tougher decision. From my perspective, running was more important to me, but I also worked. However, mine was a unique situation in that I co-owned a company and we only worked over the summers. That kind of setup may not appeal to everyone, but hey, it worked for me.</p>
<p>Well apparently they do if you play football! There's a horror story on these boards (Yale) about one school's top 5 GPA's with 1500+ SAT's getting deferred in favor of a football player with 1200's.</p>