<p>I come from a relatively populated city in Michigan, maybe 2000~2500 in high school.</p>
<p>I have been involved in swimming since I was 8, and i love the sport. This is my primary sport in high school, but unfortunately, I may have to quit due to my rigorous schedule next year (junior.) However, i have been hearing leadership here and there on CC, so i was wondering how much being a captain would help my application. btw, I am not good enough to continue swimming in college if you are wondering.</p>
<p>Being captain definitely helps your app…but it cerainly doesn’t make you a shoe-in. Colleges look for leadership in many areas of your app, both in school and out. Someone on this sight once told me, since I don’t have many strong leadership positions, that leadership isn’t always in the form of “president” or “captain”. Leadership just means taking things into your own hands, maybe seeking out a business or nonprofit or starting your own, holding a job, organizing a fundraiser…anything that made you really step up to the plate…that’s leadership. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>If you love the sport, don’t quite because of school. Make time to keep it with you. Being captain is a great and fulfilling experience; if you want to be captain, don’t do it for an app, that’s the wrong reason. As captain, you are the paramount representative of your school, as well as an example to your peers. Do it because you want to, and not for any other reason.</p>
<p>That is a lot of swimming! And you still don’t think you’re good enough for college? Well, I don’t know all your stats but I would just say that there are a lot of applicants who will be really dedicated to one thing but still find time to pursue others. It is great to have a passion but just make sure your app is not entirely one-sided.</p>
<p>moonman- this is by no means an easy decision for me. I currently have a 4.0, and i dont want 6 APs to lower it much. That is why i am balancing being a captain/pursuing my passion and having concrete grades.</p>
<p>drumwriter- it certainly is, and i am “good” to a certain extent, but unfortunately not state champion level :(. In addition to swimming, I have attended a nearby japanese school on saturdays for over 9 years. I dont know how i will convey this passion to counselers though…</p>