Hello. I am currently a high school student that’s going to be in the 12th grade this year. I am having a bit of a problem on what to do with my extracurricular activity class, which is Water-polo. I’ve been doing water-polo ever since my freshman year. Since I will be a senior this year, I’ve decided to take as many AP courses as possible that has to do with my future career, which is AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Calculus. I have already decided to do pre-med at a community college once I finish with high school. The problem is that I’ve been doing water polo ever since freshman year and knowing that I have to replace water polo with AP Physics this year bugs me. It’s my last year, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve heard that doing four years of the same sport is a good thing to see from Universities. So my question is, if I don’t take water polo this year, will UCLA, my dream school, still look at my high school transcripts, or they won’t mind at all when I’m transferring from a college? If you’re transferring from a college, do they pay attention to what you did in high school? If they do look at it, any suggestions on what I can do? Whether if I should take AP Physics, to gain experience and knowledge on what Physics is like, or continue doing water polo for senior year to show UC’s that I’ve done 4 years of the same sport. I would consider doing both at the same time, but I’m not going to have time at all because putting my AP courses aside, I will be volunteering at a hospital as well. And with water polo on the side, which takes up 2-3 hours a day at practice, or 3-5 hours during game days, I will not have enough time to finish my school work and do well in my classes. I am stuck in the middle, and I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions/advice from people who have experienced something like this, or your opinion on what I should do instead? Thank you.
Bump.
DO IT OUT OF SCHOOL.
Can you be more descriptive please?
Bump. This is very urgent. If someone can help me out, please comment.
Could you do water polo on a smaller scale than you do now (like if you played on a school team, just do a recreational one)? Is there any chance of you being recruited? (idk if you can do that for water polo or not)
I suggest that you make a thread in the UC Transfers forum (http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/).
It’s just a regular class that includes practice and game days. And thank you Ynotgo.
@studentuser1 When colleges are evaluating “ECs” they are primarily looking for out of class activities that show talent, dedication and initiative. My AP Bio class doesn’t count as an EC.
@EIC2400 So it would be a better idea staying in water polo for my senior year?
Hi dude! I feel you cause I’m in the exact (well, similar) situation as you.
I play golf tho, not water polo :)>-
I was really worried about balancing EC and school life so I posted a question and @twoinanddone answered:
It doesn’t sound like you are interested in playing this year. So don’t. It is just an EC and will not make or break your acceptance into college. If you want to do it only because it ‘looks good’, you will probably not do well at balancing golf and school as your heart won’t be in it. These are the kinds of choices students make all the time - do I have enough time to work and go to school? Do I have enough time to be president of the class? Do I have enough time to play a sport and still have a social life? Some kids can do it all, some can’t. I, personally, think sports are important and give structure to your day, plus the physical activity can release stress. My daughter did a sport and took two science and two math class, all honors or AP, her senior year. She liked the structure and her team was her social life, but that’s just it, she LIKED it, and chose it. You have to chose it for it to be right for you.
Personally, I’m really worried about AP Calculus class so I got my hands off of golf for this year. I’m thinking of rejoining in next year though. If you think you can handle it and balance everything out, then go for it! I know one dude at my school got an award for playing basketball and keeping good scores in all 3 AP classes. But then again, every one is different so put some thinking into this and do what you think you gotta do.
@mango727 Thank you so much!
One of my friends from last year got into UCLA and UC Berkeley and he is pursuing the science field as well. I know that the main thing that got him in was his active participation in Science Olympiad, but if he were in your shoes he would probably take AP Physics instead of water polo. (He actually also only took 3 years of water polo). Even though UCLA likes dedication, I think that insight on your interest is more important. I’d say make sure you can get a really good grade in AP Physics. If you think you can’t, stick with water polo.