<p>I'm a Sophomore in Highschool as of now, and this subject has been bothering me for some time.
Do sports diminish your ability to compete with others when applying for colleges?
I mean, do they view sports just as they do with normal P.E, and do I get credits?
If not, then I'll always be short-handed in comparison with others whom have the time to take more electives, right?</p>
<p>So I was wondering if Varsity Football was worth playing throughout the rest of my Junior and Senior year. Or should I just stop after this year and do my best with community services and academics? I think I'm doing fine right now amidst practice however. </p>
<p>You should participate in activities that you have passion for. If you love football, keep at it. Develop leadership skills on the team as you get older. Community service in and of itself does not count as “better” for colleges. What counts is involvement in things outside of your academic classes that you enjoy, and as you become a junior or senior, deepening your involvement when possible. This being said, yes, colleges do recognize that the time commitment that some activities take more than hours. A varsity athlete, a band member, someone in the drama department – these can require several hours every day after school. Combined with homework, you are correct that there isn’t a lot of time left. But I am assuming that varsity football is not year-round? So maybe in you off-season you can find other activities that you enjoy.</p>
<p>Colleges want students with a combination of academic achievement/potential, social skills and ability to contribute to the college campus (and four years of tuition money!). HS athletics is certainly one component. You shouldn’t make your choice based on how it’s perceived. Be authentic and not join the lemmings.</p>
<p>What’s ironic is you get lots of kids who worry about their profiles b/c they DON’T have sports and worry they are too one dimensional</p>