<p>I think people overestimate the importance of sports (and other ECs) because it is in many cases the ONE thing that is relatively easy to control; one can sign up, put the time in, and put it on the application. Almost everything else in the holistic admissions is either somewhat beyond control (scores) or completely opaque (essays).</p>
<p>As mentioned above, quitting the sport would affect her application only if she expected to be a recruited athlete. Her time will be better spent on writing good essays, applying for scholarships, and pursuing an EC related to her academic/career goal. </p>
<p>My D had the same decision to make this summer, she was JV captain the last two years and would have made varsity this year but probably not play much. She also took on a heavy load of classes this year. She decided not to do it. Just last week she began a part-time job, something she has never had time for before. I feel all in all it was the right call for her.</p>
<p>I’m a little sad as she’s played the sport since 7th grade, but she has a spring sport she cares a lot more about, and is better at, and she can still enjoy the fall sport casually. </p>
<p>I do wonder if she should list the dropped fall sport lower down on the CA activity list though, since she isn’t participating this year. It was one of her leadership things - the captain slot the last two years, and she did it in the off-season for two years too, as a club/travel sport.</p>
<p>I’m glad you are letting her quit, OP. I think it is clearly the right decision.</p>
<p>Update: Quitting was a GREAT decision. She now has a part-time job, which requires only about 1/4 the time that her sport did. She also has a heavy course load and is working hard on her apps. Can’t imagine how she would have fit in the sport.</p>
<p>Thank you, everyone.</p>