<p>So I have been thinking about this for a while. How important are sports as an EC when it comes to the decision making process, if you are not a recruited athlete?</p>
<p>For example, I am an international student whose major EC's are football(soccer) & basketball. Now, I am not a national/international level player but have played for the school and captained the side, won some medals and also selected for the district(didn't play though - due to personal reasons). However, I haven't inquired about getting recruited - So will these EC's be in vain?? </p>
<p>Is there a chance that looking at these ECs, the adcoms might think that 'maybe he'd make it into the team in future' - especially for the universities who don't have that great a soccer team?? :p</p>
<p>I know its not going to be a make or break for sure, but just wondering how important they are(apart from the show of dedication)??
(I'm talking about Cornell, Columbia, UPenn, Northwestern, Dartmouth & the likes)</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies!! :)
(Hope this thread helps other applicants with a similar question)</p>
<p>Well I believe it is a very strong EC and that is shows a great amount of dedication and talent, which will go a ways in the admission process. As for your other question “Is there a chance that looking at these ECs, the adcoms might think that 'maybe he’d make it into the team in future”, I don’t think (but I could be wrong) that this really makes a difference in the admission process. Think about the number of captains of sports teams they get and amount of spaces on teams they have to fill. The fact of the matter is a captain on a sports team does not equal a player at the college level, no matter how bad the team is, and I think they know that.</p>
<p>^@Tylernark Yeah thought so too about the large number of captains applying to top universities!!</p>
<p>So, will the following assumption be right then?</p>
<p>Adcoms are always trying to build a class rather than just accept the top applicants(what I learnt from a UPenn info session). The EC’s in particular help in this process. For example, if someone is a pianist and say the college band/orchestra/etc. is in need of pianists - that person has a better chance at admission. Now when it comes to sports, I believe(from what I read here & there) - it is the coaching staff who are responsible for making sure that they have a strong pool for the sports teams. So in that sense, does it mean that sports as ECs(but not at the level of being recruited) have less importance than others??</p>
<p>@Bubblesforsale - And any particular reason for saying so??</p>
<p>Sports-and successful long term participation in them- show dedication and commitment, suggest that you are able to work with others and take direction, should indicate that you have had experience winning and losing, and can certainly be a place where you hone leadership. Balancing sports, which are time-consuming, with your studies leads to lessons in time management and self-discipline. All of these traits are appreciated in college and can make you appeal to admissions committees. Schools of course want fans to cheer on their teams, which athletes are likely to do, and fill their IM and club teams. Yes, a good EC.</p>
<p>If you enjoy sports, are fairly good at it, and have a long term commitment and dedicaton to them, it is a big plus to add that to your applicaton. Unless you have something else that you have such a time commitment to, that you know well, are accomplished in it. Sports show teamwork, and offer leadershp opportunities and awards.</p>
<p>So if I have played two sports(soccer & Basketball) for four years and at the same time managed to be in the top 3 of my class and performed consistently throughout, would this be a very big/big/moderate/no advantage to my application??</p>
<p>Varsity athletics are a shorthand means of demonstrating involvement in your high school community. Adcoms know that athletes, at a minimum, are involved for 15 hours per week for 15 weeks per year. If the athlete has participated for four years, then s/he has likely accomplished some level of success in the sport.</p>
<p>In response to your specific question, I would say that a two-sport athlete who has also achieved great success in the classroom has a moderate-to-big advantage in his application. The extent of the advantage will depend on the involvement and success you are able to demonstrate in your sports. There is a difference between someone who earns regional/state recognition and someone who sits on the bench for four years although both get credit for their commitment to the team.</p>
<p>I think proven success at athletics shows a level of dedication and passion, which is good. You should also consider that even if you are not recruited, but you are very good, some coaches may still want to take a look at you (Common App/Athletic Supplement) so if you are still interested in playing at the college level you may still have a chance, particularly at DIII schools who don’t give athletic scholarships.</p>
<p>Thank you rmldad & dob103 for the quick replies.</p>
<p>Well, my schedule is/was basically 4 hrs football & 3 hrs basketball per week - throughout almost the whole of the school year(barring exams/holidays/etc). My achievements are not that great but are not bad either. It is sad that in most tournaments, my team ended up the loosing the Q/F or S/F - so not many medals in that sense. But I did not sit on the bench. Junior team captain(both soccer & basketball) and then senior team player(No one knew me in my new school - so captaincy out of the question!!). </p>
<p>About the athletic supplements, I didn’t send that in because I don’t really have glorious achievements and they require a coach’s reference!! I’ve not had a constant proper coach for soccer in the last four years. Two years at a local coaching center/club - since my previous school didn’t have a soccer coach & the next two years with a part time coach, where the team mostly trained by its self!!
Also I doubt I could play Basketball in USA ~ the level of game there is way higher!! And I’ve checked few team rosters and they are insanely tall (And all this while I thought I was damn tall at 6ft2in!! ). </p>
<p>And which are the DIII schools? Don’t really know anything about this…</p>
). </p>