<p>no it is for asians </p>
<p>or was.</p>
<p>ah well</p>
<p>so what about piano/violin awards like allstate</p>
<p>State and national awards are typically the ones that matter, in sports, music, anything :)</p>
<p>i think most upper echelon colleges would rather see an educational ec rather than a sport</p>
<p>Sports take a lot more dedication than 99% of the clubs at my school, so I hope that they are worth something. Not to mention they are pretty much my only ECs. <em>off to join twenty meaningless clubs</em>**</p>
<p>^I'm in the exact same situation. That's what worries me. It's like, spend every day at lunch going to different clubs, or spend 10+ hrs per wk on a sport, and they count equally?</p>
<p>Is playing a sport rare for a HYPS if you have a great GPA too (like 4.2+)?</p>
<p>Colleges want to see <em>DEDICATION</em> and <em>PASSION</em>, not you desperately doing everything you can to get into Harvard. That means, instead of joining the chess club, model UN club, key club, darfur club, political club, yearbook club, straight gay alliance club, debate club, habitat for humanity, and diversity club, spending just a small amount of time in each club, you would be better off focusing on just one or two clubs, but dedicating yourself to them(think 10-20 hours a week, or something like that). </p>
<p>And, the clubs shouldn't be random "I'll-do-anything-to-get-into-harvard" clubs, but should reflect your passion. Interested in environmental science? Join or start a club, and dedicate all of your time to doing environmental research. </p>
<p>Joining 20 clubs sends the message: "I have no clue what I want to do with my life, but I know I want to go to Harvard no matter what, so I'm doing every last thing I can to get into Harvard." This is not what Harvard would want. Instead, they want someone who sends the message "I have a passion, something I want to pursue in life, and I think Harvard will help me get there." </p>
<p>The main difference between the two messages is that the first has an implication that Harvard is the applicant's final goal(i.e. beyond Harvard the applicant has no interests), whereas the latter sends the message that Harvard is only a stepping stone to getting to where the applicant wants to go. Harvard wants people whose end goal is not to attend Harvard, but to change the world.</p>
<p>So, in summary, NO number of activities can match a passion! If you want to have a much better chance of getting into elite schools, develop this passion; it will serve you much better than a bunch of random clubs!</p>
<p>i like one of the previous answers:</p>
<p>"if you want to be student number 1, then be student number 1!"</p>
<p>running in xc and track have seriously saved me. if i didn't have them, i wouldn't have had NEARLY has much fun as i have had in hs.. and i wouldn't have met some of my best friends. </p>
<p>that being said, do what you love. if you like something, you'll be better at it then something you don't have a passion for.. and as a plus, it will most likely show in your application.</p>
<p>and yeah i agree. i spent like 15 or more hours a week involved in sports.. they consume my life. but hey be careful, it can take a toll on your gpa :(</p>
<p>You don't have to do school sports. I do Recreational, yet I still mention it. I like to stay active and fit, but also enjoy conserving my time.</p>
<p>if you're not recruited and you just do it for fun/stay in shape its probalby just like any other EC, and obviously will boost your app. If you are a recruited athlete then its a different story. ITs benefit will vary among colleges, but usual it is a huge help. Especially in the ivy league, which is of course apart of the D1 athletic conference. At an ivy, being recruited athlete with good academics will get you in almost for sure.</p>
<p>do you really think it'll stand out more if an Asian plays soccer or one of the sports that has more school spirit behind it (football, bball, baseball, etc)?</p>
<p>Jesus, I'm tired of these discussions. Do you LIKE playing sports? Then please play sports! Colleges want to see you do what you like to do, jeez!</p>
<p>^ gawd, be patient</p>
<p>^ Sorry, didn't quite get your meaning...</p>
<p>^ nvr mind</p>
<p>When it comes to sports - being "diverse" is not what colleges look for, at least if one frames the issue in terms of sports giving a significant admissions advantage. Want a serious admissions advantage at most places? Be All-State in a sport. Want a serious admissions advantage at the nation's most competitive schools? Be an All American or a top 20 athlete in a non-revenue sport. Football is a different animal - and to a degree - basketball is as well. But these are the kinds of achievements that provide an identifiable cause and effect in terms of admission. </p>
<p>I have posted in the past - formerly a national champion in my sport - and have some familiarity with the process (and its often unspoken negatives).</p>
<p>So in the end, if you do not have the kind of talent or drive to reach the levels described above, don't participate in a sport merely for college admissions purposes. It doesn't make sense. Participate because you like it, find it a good way to express yourself, and a beneficial experience in terms of being accountable to teammates, coaches and yourself. Very few athletes can sit atop the pedestal, but that doesn't make the efforts of all of the others not worthwhile - the intrinsic values are great - no need to cloud them with angst over college admissions.</p>