<p>It seems like a lot of people play like 4 sports, and that makes their EC list seem really long. (which makes mine seem puny) The only sport I play is volleyball and I'm really not that great at it-- I didn't even make the school team, although it is really competitive, and I have a suspicion they were biased. But anyways. How badly will that hurt me? I think all my other stats are pretty decent, but this is the main thing I'm worrying about. I never did any sports in elementary school, and now I kinda wish I had. </p>
<p>Oh, and I did cross country, but I don't really count that as a sport because anyone can run, and I'm thinking about doing track. (also another running sport) I'm not exactly a fast runner, but I'm definitely faster than the majority of the grade. Don't think that really matters...but I wanted to throw that in.</p>
<p>If you don’t have a sport or sports, you’ll need a serious expertise is something else: music, performing arts, fine arts, etc. I would say that these kids (total non-athletes) are in a quite small minority at most BS. It’s not that they’re not there at all…there are some…but they are the exceptions not the rule. Some part of the preppy credo dating way back strongly values athletic excellence and the camaraderie of group endeavor, so if it’s not athletics, it’d better be orchestra, the acappella group, sketch comedy troupe, etc. They need to see you’ll have a niche beyond just bringing a capable intellect.</p>
<p>Be yourself. Sports aren’t everything. Schools are trying to build a diverse class. But show you are passionate about something. </p>
<p>Once on campus, you will be expected to participate in sports and contribute to other aspects of the school life, music, or drama, or fine arts or debate, or robotics or . . . (fill in the blanks).</p>
<p>But don’t assume from the boards that you don’t stand a chance because you’re not a jock. Passion and longevity for a specific interest or hobby often count for more than quantity.</p>
<p>Cross country counts. Don’t take the “chances” threads too seriously. </p>
<p>In my opinion, schools vary in the degree to which they value athletic interests in an applicant. For some schools, it is very important. If playing sports makes you miserable, be very careful in the schools you choose. Many schools do require all students to play on teams, particularly in the first two years. </p>
<p>An optimistic attitude, and a willingness to try new things, are also very important. You will change in high school. A student may be at the top of her middle school heap, but not good enough to jump onto varsity, or junior varsity. Admissions officers know that many of the soccer “stars” in middle school won’t make the cut for the soccer team. Some of them will have a great time playing on the thirds team, and some will try something new.</p>
<p>A few applicants will have advanced skills which will help their applications. Hockey, the oboe, cello, etc. are activities which require years of practice to master. Some kids decide to drop their instrument or sport, as soon as they have other choices (and are far enough away from their parents to pull it off!)</p>
<p>It may be that you’re interested in sports but just don’t feel that you very good at them, in which case, you’ll simply be on a club or “third” team–learning a new sport and having fun without the pressure of competition. However, if you just don’t like athletics that much, choose your school carefully, unless you want to spend hours of each day forced to do something you don’t enjoy. Many, many boarding schools require three seasons of sports (Sports include dance, by the way, if that’s an interest). Others let kids who are not athletic opt into theater or other activities. However, I agree with PelicanDad that there’s a certain historical student-athlete emphasis ingrained into many prep schools. Kids who aren’t athletes can find their place, but the system’s not set up for them, if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>Also, stick-to-it-iveness is a quality I think schools look for, especially if you are not a recruited athlete/gamechanger. Meaning, you have participated in something for a few years regardless of skill level. And that probably applies to non-sports pursuits as well.</p>
<p>Schools are going to want you because you have something to contribute/add to the fabric of the community. So think about what it is you will be able to contribute…</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies everyone! I don’t feel so doomed anymore…I’ve played piano since kindergarten, and I think crew sounds pretty interesting…now I just need to tell my interviewer that. XD</p>
<p>Most prep schools have sports requirements: the number of terms, and the possibility of substituting other activities vary from school to school. A number of big schools actively recruit athletes, including post-graduates and repeating juniors. Almost every school will offer options for non-athletes. My younger son is utterly unathletic. He took “developmental” soccer and tennis as a freshman, and is currently manager for the J.V. football team. He hopes to be named j.v. baseball manager in the spring, and to keep those assignments through varsity level. If he doesn’t, he will take some “devel” along the way. My older son was a decent athlete through middle school, but his first love is theater, and he can’t do both, so he had to give up baseball to appear in spring productions. He fulfilled his team-sport requirements along the way with cross-country, “devel” swimming, j.v. football (no cuts at his school), and was manager for winter track this year (he was cut from competition). I know that Portsmouth Abbey in Rhode Island is proud of its inclusiveness in sports (no recruiting). If you have a chance to visit schools, you’ll get an immediate sense of how central sports are at each.</p>
<p>It’s true that you do have to be passionate about something, but trust me you don’t have to be an athlete. I’m at DA which can sometimes come off as being really sporty, but there is definitely room for the people who aren’t really int sports. Like you, I played a little bit of volleyball in middle school, but I kinda sucked at it. I chose to do community service for the fall term and theater for the winter, and I have lessons for swimming during the spring, so it’s not the end of the world if you don’t play a sport.</p>
<p>I really don’t know if this is very relevant… but Cross country counts and IS just as much of a sport as any other sport. I do XC and as a freshman I am on varsity(#5/7), not the best, but not the worst ( tied for best in my grade). There are so many oppurtunities for cross country runners in boarding school…</p>
<p>I guess that I should point out that I’m not the best person on the team. Anyone in our school can join cross-country…I’m like in the middle I guess. The fastest among the slower.
And deerfield15, thank you so much for telling me that. I’ve heard so many good things about Deerfield…I’m wondering if I should put it back on my list.</p>
<p>I think that you totally should–but do what’s best for you. I love the environment that we have here, and there truly is a place for everyone. All schools have brands that people attach to them, but those aren’t all necessarily true. From what I’ve seen, Deerfield has kinda been branded as the sporty, super preppy school out in the middle of nowhere, when in reality it’s almost the opposite. Deerfield is a great place, and I think is a great candidate for consideration.</p>
<p>i guess i just never really felt a connection to this school. And I don’t know why…it just doesn’t seem like my type of school…and this is all being said before I’ve even visited the campus, giving me even more doubts.</p>
<p>If you don’t get a good vibe from it, it’s good that you realize that it’s not the best place for you. Deerfield is awesome, but just not for everyone.</p>
<p>Seriously, this whole “you need to do sports” thing is out of proportion. I did NO sports. None. I swam for fun, but that was it. I was the co-head of my school’s community service group, I volunteered at the library for over 25 hours the previous summer, and I was passionate about languages and community service. I think that if you find your niche in some activity other than sports, you’ll be a strong candidate.</p>
<p>I totally agree with laughalittle even though I laugh a lot. :D</p>
<p>Deerfield has a cool program where you can substitute co-curricular activities in theater, dance, or community service for sports. You may also discover a new interest such as Squash for which you don’t have to be very athletic.</p>
<p>But how do I get a “vibe” without actually visiting the school? </p>
<p>If you are interested in playing Girls Hockey at a Prep School, you might be interested in our program.</p>
<p>The NorthEast Womens Hockey League is now in it’s 14th season. Seven years ago, we started a new element of the program. The NEWHL Prep Tour Team.</p>
<p>In simple terms, players are provided the opportunity to showcase their talents in games hosted at various Prep Schools.</p>
<p>For further details, visit our web site at : North East Women’s Hockey League | Premier Women’s Hockey | [North</a> East Women’s Hockey League | Premier Women’s Hockey | <a href=“http://www.newhl.net%5B/url%5D”>www.newhl.net](<a href=“http://www.newhl.net%5DNorth”>http://www.newhl.net)</a> </p>
