<p>I've been fencing for about a year now, and I'm getting much better, but I've never competed. However, I'd be interested in doing so in college. Should I get into MIT (<em>fingers crossed</em>), would I be able to, or would I need to be really good at it and have done stuff in high school? It doesn't look like they have a club or IM team for fencing... the only one is varsity. So basically what I'm asking is, are you allowed to just go and sign up for varsity sports like that or do you need to be recruited and have a good resume?</p>
<p>Most of our varsity sports take walk-ons. This is especially true of sports that are less common in high school, like fencing. The fact that you have any experience should just put you a little ahead of your peers at the start.</p>
<p>Also, rather than directing these questions to the forums, why not ask the coach? You'd be surprised how excited coaches are to talk to potential athletes (even if you don't consider yourself to be at a recruitable level) and how helpful they are at giving advice during the admission process.</p>
<p>...um, ahem. Anyways, your fencing story sounds just like mine!! Actually, you sound like you fenced even more than me in high school... basically, I fenced a little on the side for about a year before I got here, and now I'm on the varsity team! All you have to do is go to tryouts for a week, which is a test of dedication more than anything else. It is 5-7pm every weekday, though, so be warned that it does become quite a time commitment!</p>