<p>I will be starting my freshman year of High school in just three short weeks! Although I am in very good shape and eat healthy, I have never really enjoyed organized sports. I will be taking all of the most advanced classes offered for my grade. Also, for extracurricular activities I will be on the Activities Committee and a member of the Earth Day Club, the Key Club, and LEARN (the alcohol awareness club). I also work part time and volunteer to pick up garbage at a local community pond once a week. My dream school is Bowdoin College and I hope to also apply to Williams College or some other top ranked Liberal Arts College. I have always and will hopefully continue to have straight A's throughout school. Can I still get into a great school without sports?</p>
<p>Yes. Although it may depend on what you consider “a great school.”</p>
<p>Why are you under the assumption that everyone at a selective school is an athlete? That’s a monstrously large fallacy.</p>
<p>Except the USAFA</p>
<p>A high GPA and high SATs, along with meaningful ECs and good recs can compensate for lack of sports. D1 was admitted to Williams, and her last organized sport was LAX in middle school (under protest, I might add!!!) Organized sports is not for everyone.</p>
<p>Do Liberal Arts schools in particular value athletes during admission?</p>
<p>emily</p>
<p>Varsity athletics often show dedication to an activity, which many colleges say they value. There are MANY non-athletic activities which can demonstrate the same dedication. Try to find your passion.</p>
<p>thank you for all the help and reassurance! i fel so much more excited and conident about High school now.</p>
<p>Does your high school require you to participate in sports at all?
It’s not mandatory from a college admissions perspective, but some exercise for the next few years will be good for you.</p>
<p>I actually do yoga and pilates at home at least three days a week and also go to the gym reguarly</p>
<p>I got into Bowdoin, Carleton, and many other “top” LAC without any sports, though I do yoga regularly! Sports does play a LARGE factor in admissions (athletic recruits at top LACs and universities have some advantages) but it is perfectly possible to get in without athletics! Good luck.</p>
<p>Except for the case of recruited athletes, sports are just another EC.</p>
<p>On the other hand, joining a bunch of clubs, as you suggest you will do, is not particularly helpful. A dedicated but not recruitable athlete who trains and competes 10-15 hours per week will have an advantage over a serial club joiner. As will the applicant dedicated to any worthwhile endeavor, be it music, tutoring, a job, independent community service, or whatever.</p>
<p>Yes you can most definitely</p>