<p>Do my ECs look really bad?:</p>
<p>Varsity XC 9-11 (12) (will be captain 12)
Varsity Swimming 9-11 (12) (will be captain 12)
JV Softball 9&10
Varsity Softball 11&(12)
Swim year round, 21+ practice hrs p/w. 9 years</p>
<p>Will colleges hold it against me that I don't have any academic clubs (even if I have decent GPA and good SATs)? Do I need some volunteering hours?</p>
<p>volunteer only if u want, or if ur going into health related fields</p>
<p>plenty of sports, which look good even if u arent recruited, u have plenty of good ECs stop worrying, if ur applying to a nerdier college, they will be refreshed that there is actually a sports team ( in ur case 3 ) instead of the calculus club.</p>
<p>My son didn't have any academic clubs- just his year round sport. He got into Penn ED (he was recruited). I think your level of commitment to your sports is great. Don't worry about it. Most people know how much time year round swimming takes!</p>
<p>It is gospel in the college admission guides that colleges want well-rounded freshman classes, but NOT well-rounded students. The way to be selected because of uniqueness is to have long-term commitment and "passion" (all guides say "passion") in one or two EC's. Adding school clubs would not really help you that much. If you can figure out something else that you like, add that. It can be an interest that you have spent time on. It doesn't have to be connected to your high school. Some volunteer hours would be nice if you have time. Volunteer at something you would at least enjoy.</p>
<p>The fact that you were captain will count for a bit. Colleges flag people who were editors of yearbooks/newspapers and captains of teams because of the leadership shown.</p>
<p>If you qualify and you wanted to play in college, you might be able to be recruited at a college with division II or division III teams.</p>
<p>Nobody gets in anywhere for having signed up for the [...] club. On the other hand, spending your entire life on sports may not impress everyone, even if varsity and captain, absent some impressive stats or maybe an outstanding essay.</p>
<p>Your EC's are excellent. My son's were almost identical...three-sport varsity athlete, captain of two teams... He had student council as well as some volunteer work thrown in, but he's received very positive feedback from many schools about his commitment to athletics throughout HS. And the above poster is right--colleges love those captainships. Most HS clubs don't carry near as much weight so don't sweat it. Plus, if you're like my son, I doubt you have the time. Three varsity sports is very demanding. Are you thinking about playing one of your sports in college? Since you say you have a decent GPA and good SAT's, you would be a very attractive candidate to athletic recruiters.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm not sure whether or not I want to swim in college. If I go to a DIII school I could swim, but I just broke my foot about 3 weeks ago so that has pretty much ruined my season this year and I won't have very good times to show until (hopefully) next year.</p>