Hi, I have a national title in a sport (women’s division, not just juniors), and two runner-ups in juniors, and I was wondering how much this would help with admissions, especially since its not such a common sport, like basketball or soccer. I’m thinking of Stanford (it’s kind of a reach, I know), but I’ve heard they like students who excel in one area and that seems to describe me. So if I have a 4.0 GPA unweighted and high SAT scores (1500+ on a 1600 scale), will I have a much higher chance (compared to average, that is)?
Yes it does help but more if it’s a sport that they have on the campus and that you are recruited for.
That’s the problem; it’s not common so most universities either have just a club for it or nothing at all. I did some research and Carnegie Mellon has a team but I don’t think they would recruit, because again, not many universities have teams. Even if there are no recruitment opportunities, I am hoping that it’s a good enough hook to raise my chances by 5-10%.
It’s not a hook like a recruited sport, but it doesn help you stand out, and it’s definitely a tie breaker since you do have the stats.
Some sports are club but very competitive and recruited (cycling, judo, handball, cricket…)
Congratulations BTW it’s really impressive.
Some club level teams recruit but not many. Only the varsity level sports will give you a leg up in admissions. Being good in a club level sport is not something that will get you in on its own.
Contact the people involved in running your sport’s federation and ask if they have any insights. These people are often well connected.
A national title in any sport plus great stats and a top GPA will be a huge plus for admissions, regardless whether or not it is a recruited sport. Stanford loves scholar-athletes.
I agree with @menloparkmom. I think it is a hook at most schools as long as you are academically competitive.
Update: I also made top 100 in Massachusetts for the MAML Math Olympiad last year.
By the way, thanks Otterma, your suggestion is wonderful. I’ll get around to it. 
Questions:
Should I take the ACT? I did some practice tests and can consistently score a 35.
Is there anything else that might make me stand out? Like the Chemistry Olympiad, which I’m planning to take next March, and get results back in time for applications next year. (If there are any other science contest like this, please let me know.)
If you can score 32+ (let alone 35) sure take the act!
If you have 1500+ on SAT how does the ACT help you?
In the Northeast most kids take the SAT rather than ACT, so there’s less competition, which will possibly make my scores seem higher.
"which will possibly make my scores seem higher. "
College admissions officers know how to compare an SAT score to an ACT score.
The general geographic area you come from wont have an influence on how those scores are evaluated or compared.
They are standardized tests- i.e , they have the same level of difficulty regardless of where they are taken.
the idea of taking the ACT cause most kids in your area take the SAT is pointless and will not make your scores “seem higher” to admissions officers.
Hooks: what they do for the college’s bottom line
- recruited athelete: contributes to reported wins, plus PR boost if student makes it to Olympics/pros
- development case: contributes 8-figure $$$ donation
- URM: contributes to race stats reporting
- Celebrity status: huge PR boost for school
What does being a national champion in a sport that most schools don’t even offer as a club do for the bottom line of the college?
^ not EVERYTHING is about the “Bottom Line”
where did you get that very cynical idea?
College admissions officers , especially those at the most selective colleges, look for Hi Stat students who have ALSO demonstrated a commitment to an area of interest AND have achieved EXCELLENCE in that area during their HS careers, regardless of whether a student is a National Chess Champion, Intel Science winner, national fencing champion ,etc, etc.
I absolutely agree that the achievement will definitely impress and help the applicant.
But I don’t believe it rises to the level of a hook-- something that puts your application in a separate pool.
Any ideas as to what range of schools would be matches for me?
- recruited athelete: contributes to reported wins, plus PR boost if student makes it to Olympics/pros
- development case: contributes 8-figure $$$ donation
- URM: contributes to race stats reporting
- Celebrity status: huge PR boost for school
these may be hooks or merely tips, depending on the stats of the students, but they are not the only ones that can push an application into the admit pile- what about faculty kids? alumni kids?
And none of the above, by themselves, ensure acceptance at top colleges-
A hook is what two girls on our street have – one won the World Cup in her event (the first American to win in 20 years) and the other had Twyla Tharp write a special role for her in a world premiere ballet. Now those are hooks!
“Stanford loves scholar-athletes.” That refers more to recruiting. In the end, what works is more than any few simple stand-out factors. Know what Stanford looks for, in full. It’s pretty risky with any tippy-top to be unilateral. They still want the right sorts of rounding and realness, kids willing to explore and take on challenges outside their one or two interests. So OP needs to consider what else she’s involved in, how that meets what they look for. where do you get the idea S likes “students who excel in one area?”