<p>UGH. I just found out that a lot of my friends who said they weren't going to get recruited by a top college for their sport because it was seen as either 1) unfair 2) too much work have now decided to flip the coin and pursue their sports on the D1 level so they can have "an edge in college admissions," as they say. Besides the fact that I am now left without any hook of my own, and feeling slightly peeved, would this be detrimental to my chances? I know they don't have quotas... they don't compare kids within a school... yaddayadda, but still. That's one less spot that's taken up. And kids at our school are VERY successful with athletic recruitment - we have those connections. In fact, most who matriculate to an Ivy are athletes at my school. Should I just keep to myself and continue to thrive and work hard without paying mind to them? Or should I worry? And how do I handle that acerbic feeling when they get in and I don't and we all know it's because of their, ahem, "ability." Thoughts? I'm not attacking athletic recruitment, so don't flame... please.</p>
<p>“Should I just keep to myself and continue to thrive and work hard without paying mind to them? Or should I worry?”</p>
<p>I think you should worry… jk!</p>
<p>Well, if your friends have talents that schools seek, they can pursue those, despite anyone’s views on them. I think you should be happy for your friends, not ultra-competitive. Even if you get into Princeton, thousands of other spots will have to be filled. Don’t you want your friends there? You even recognized that them being from your school won’t hurt you. If you want to get into a top school, you should focus on your own performance.</p>
<p>It’s hard when it seems like those close to you have an edge that you don’t, but you need to focus on YOU and what you have to offer. Why would schools want YOU? That’s what is important. You probably have attributes that the athlete friends don’t and vice versa. Everyone brings something to the table, so try not to worry about what they are bringing. A lot of worry is for nothing in the end. Really.</p>
<p>don’t be jealous :)</p>
<p>How were you intending to get into an Ivy? Based on your “abilities”?</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I’m glad some see the stress I’m going through but I do realize that I should just let it go. Just accept it and focus on myself. Besides, grad school is equally if not more important. And THEY don’t recruit.</p>