At my high school, they offer a fencing club. It is not technically a varsity or JV sport. Will that be regarded equally as an actual sport to colleges, or is it just based on hours of commitment.
That isn’t counted as a sport, since you won’t be getting a JV or varsity letter at the end of it. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t do it. It might be worth it, if you can still compete at regional and state levels, or if you get a leadership position in the club.
Unless one is a recruited athlete, a sport, whether it’s varsity, JV, or club, is lumped together as an EC for the most part. In such a case, commitment to a club team is not viewed any differently than commitment to a varsity team.
Club sports generally do not require as intense a time commitment as a varsity sport. But it is still fine as an EC. If you enjoy fencing then do it.