Non-school related sport

Applying to College
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<p>I am heavily involved in a non-school related sport (like most schools, mine does not offer the sport); train 12 months out of the year, have to spend my own money paying coaches and have to miss school to compete. Obviously, participating in a non-school sponsored sport is draining, both with finances and time. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I have come across a few scholarship apps that clearly state I have to be involved in a school related sport to apply. I think that is truly unfair. Plus, because my sport in non-school related, I get no mercy from my teachers when I have to miss school. Perference seems to always be given to the star school atheletes (at least at my school).</p>

<p>For my college apps...Do you think it will hinder my chances, not being involved in a school sport?</p>

2

<p>By the way, I am active in one club that is associated with my sport and am a member of 2 National organizations associated with my sport. I have also participated in this sport individually and part of a team which I am now co-captain.</p>

<p>How do you think this rates with someone being on a varsity high school team for 4 years, etc.?</p>

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<p>Clarification: I am active in MANY clubs, but only one of them is directly associated with my sport.</p>

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<p>Also, only a handful of colleges (mostly Ivies) have this sport and it is only a club sport although the club sport teams do in fact compete against other colleges. My problem is that my sport will come through on my application as my primary passion (my other passion is totally not related to sports); and if I apply to a college that does not offer this sport then I think it will hurt my chances of being accepted because the admissions people will clearly see how much time and money I devote to this sport knowing that I will not be able to continue this sport at their school - thus maybe becoming miserable.</p>

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<p>Why not apply to schools that have the sport as a club sport? You do want to keep playing, don't you? You want to go to a school where they accept the real you and that includes passion in your sport.</p>

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<p>Absolutely; however, only a handful of schools even offer it as a club sport and they are mostly the Ivy League Schools!</p>

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<p>I don't really think the Ivies or other colleges really care about adding another member to a club sport team even though they are in fact competing agains other colleges. The only recognized sports (even on the college level) are those that are supported by the schools. Just my opinion.</p>

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<p>WORLDSHOPPER - your participation in this sport shows your passion for something - and is something that schools will definitely consider - no matter if it is a high school sport or an outside activity - the schools that have this sport will be assessing your passion for something - anything - and the schools that don't have your sport will also see your passion as well - even tho you won't be able to play it at that particular school.</p>

<p>You may also find that having participated in your sport - at a school with it - can also transfer to other activities that you can develop a passion for.</p>

<p>Don't hesitate to utilize this sport to your advantage - it shows that you can step out of the box a bit - shows your passion - shows very strong committment to something - all can be very beneficial to you as an applicant. There are many students out there that have talents that don't come from a high school experience - believe me!!! Work it and use this to your advantage - whether the school has your sport or not - you have learned much from all the hours you have put into this.</p>

<p>I know several athletes who are in the same position as you - and they have gone on to very good schools - with and without their sport being a piece of the process. GO FOR IT!!! My own DS participated - with tremendous passion - in a non high school sport - time committment similar to you - actually wrote his essay on 1 particularly challanging event - was an awesome essay - was to a school that had his sport - and was admitted - with some nice aid to go with it. My nephew did the same to one of the Academies and was also admitted - the school did not have his sport. When some has that much passion and committment to something - anything - it will be evident to admissions that it is a part of who you are and what you have to offer.</p>

<p>BTW do you mind saying what sport you participate in??</p>

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<p>Yes... specifying the sport may help get you more suggestions!</p>

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<p>Thanks JeepMom for the encouragement; greatly appreciated. The sport is synchronized skating (as in figure skating). I really love it and joined a team after skating and competing individually. I have to practice with my team 2 hours a week and in addition have to take private lessons and then practice once or twice a week on my own, usually around 6:00 am. I also participate in fund raising activities for the team and the local figure skating club. I really want to continue to be part of a team! Again, my school is NOT supportive of this sport eventhough I only miss about 7 days of school a year due to skating. The school does not accept "skating" as an excuse to miss school.</p>

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<p>BTW: This is not my only activity or interest - just my only sport in which I participate actively. Also, I just really love it and I am not gifted nor naturally talented at it. I do however have to continually take 'national tests'; therefore, I am always trying to improve and get to the next level.</p>

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<p>WORLDSHOPPER - doesn't matter if it is your ONLY sport activity - you have shown dedication, passion, committment to something - again a bit out of the box - and that is a good thing. Your comments about not being gifted nor naturally talented - and that you continue to try to improve in this shows alot about you and what kind of glue you are made of. Don't hesitate to utilize this special talent - even if the school does have a club for this sport - it makes you stand out as an individual with something unique. BTW you may surprised that club sports CAN be a bit of a hook for some - and many schools do support students in that regard - it is not something that is brushed under the rug and not considered - so take a chance and use what makes YOU stand out above the others.</p>

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<p>Many thanks again JeepMOM! Yes, it would be nice if the colleges appreciate my dedication to my sport, unlike my high school. Yes, I would like to think I am a unique person, not only with my unusual sport, but other factors as well. My hook will not be my dedication to being on a skating team, but rather a combination of that and something entirely different. I sure hope my uniqueness compensates for my SAT scores!</p>

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<p>World:</p>

<p>MY D plays an unusual sport- it was a sport at her high school, but is mainly a club sport at colleges and very few have a great program.</p>

<p>Her GC says her applications (last year) were so reflective of her passion & personality, they were great. Why? Because every one and their brother has a regular app with good grades & scores & some ECs; it is making yourself stick out from the others in your pile by being unusual that is helpful.</p>

<p>My D had 6 schools on her list, some safeties with merit money, several 10-20% admit rate schools, she got into all of them. There was one top 5 school where the coach suggested she apply, she gave it a shot, she did not get in (her stats,e tc. were mid-range) even with the coaches help. At all the other schools, we spoke to, and even visited some, coaches. They were very honest about whether they could help at all, some could not do anything, others could provide supporting info to admissions. So, not a huge amount of pull, but some little tipping factor.</p>

<p>My D has a friend who applied to this same top 5 school, as a potential varsity athlete, the friend was #2 on the coaches list, her stats were low for the school, but not horrid, just a little low, she also did not get into this school!</p>

<p>So, for any school with your sport at club level, contact the coach, find out about the program, ask if they can help with admissions. Other schools, still be yourself, show your passion; if you don't get in to any schools which have the sport, then you will have to figure out what you want to do next.</p>

<p>One concen about club level sports, my D played her sport at a new, but very good high school program, she also played nationally and even at the international level. Thus far the club program at her Uni (which is ranked in the top 20 in the US) is a bit disappointing, as there are over 100 girls and it will take a while to get down to the serious workouts & play. Once they get to the season, it should be better, but it is frustrating when many of the people are less serious than you and also when the club is casual rather than the much more organised varsity level.</p>

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<p>Thanks Somemom! I have already contacted the club of the school where I want to attend but unfortunately the coach is not a faculty member and therefore, will have no pull. Again, I am not gifted at this sport and definitely not nationally recognized, not even close! In short, I would not be recruited in any way, shape or form. I am, however, passionate about it and work very hard at it. I agree with your comment about so many applicants having high GPAs, SATs, EC's etc. but not 'standing out'. I actually posted a comment about that in this forum. Don't get me wrong -- I was terribly impressed by all the high achievers, especially those posting under "what are my chances?". Actually I was blown away....but after a while, you would think you were reading the same resume. All had high stats, national this or that, played a musical instrument and did lots of ECs. Basically no real hook (although I know there are some, I just probably missed them) to set them apart. I have no national recognition and although my SATs are better than average; they are much lower than most of the people posting messages. Considering my accomplishments, my SATs are down right embarassing! I am, however, a very hard worker - I guess I just can't perform on a standardized test. Luckily my curriculum is on an international standard so the admin people will know that my school did not inflate the GPAs. I am of course taking not only the most challenging program at my school, but in my county ! My home school did not offer the program I am in, so I had to go to another school doing a 50 minute daily commute (roundtrip). I certainly have some things going for me but I am not sure if they are enough to make up for my lackluster SAT scores. I can certainly show my maturity, quest to further my knowledge, being a risk taker and all that kind of stuff in my essay (using not figure skating but something else that is also out of the norm). Thank you so much for sharing your daughter's story with me, it gives me great encouragement although I do not know what her creditenials were (SATS, gpa, etc.). Again, I really feel my SATs are going to be a roadblock for me.</p>

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<p>I'm a figure skater, too, though I compete individually, not synchro. I don't have that extensive a competition record, mainly due to an injury, but I have a gold medal in field moves and dance, and my junior freestyle (I'm actually staying junior in hopes of competing it intercollegiates). When I told this to an admissions officer at Cornell, he was practically salivating. Skating shows much more dedication and effort than a regular varsity sport. Not to discount high school sports, a high school athlete can do more than one sport -- a skater can't. Training hours are longer (I've gotten up to 40 hours a week, with off-ice, some summers), and there is no off-season.</p>

<p>Adcoms know this. What they don't know is how much you've achieved in it -- terms like gold medal don't adequately protray their significance. I explained this on my resume (how many tests I had to pass), but it does help to talk to coaches, especially if you want to compete collegiates. I have no interest in synchro, so there aren't many places where I'd be able to skate (on my list, just Dartmouth), but the coach at Dartmouth was very helpful. He gives each skater a numerical rating (1 to 9) based on their level of achievement, helping clarify the sport for adcoms.</p>

<p>And it's not just ivies! What about Miami...they dominate in synchro. Michigan (actually, multiple Michigans) has a pretty good team, too, as does UD.</p>

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<p>Hi tkb6! Glad to hear you are also a figure skater although you are much more advanced than myself! Congratulaltions on your abilities! By the way, how did you get the opportunity to discuss your figure skating with a Cornell admissions officer? Does Corness require inverviews? The schools I am applying to do not require interviews. Am I missing something here? Yea schools like Miami Ohio and Deleware are known for their great teams - they blow everyone away! I don't feel as though I am good enough to make their teams. Trust me, I've seen them skate at sectionals and they are unbelievable!!!! Right up there with the Haydenettes! I would rather skate on a college team that is a club sport (walk-on), as I would rather be one of the better skaters on the team than the worse one. LOL. </p>

<p>Yea, I agree, skating is a demanding sport! Forty hours in one week - WOW! You and I both know that is expensive too because of the ice time you have to pay, not taking into consideration the fees for testing and competition, travel and of course the hourly fees you have to pay for the coaches. I work part-time to finance my skating and my team does lots of fundraising. I currently only train (both privately and with my team on and off ice) approximately 7 hours a week.But it is very consistent (10-11 months out of the year). My ECs, studying, part-time job and of course money prevent me from training anymore than that. </p>

<p>By the way, how do you think skating compares to say someone who devotes a lot of time to playing a musical instrument and winning awards for it, etc.? Do you know of any other sport (I'm thinking maybe swimming) that you train year-round, have to belong to national organizations, take tests, etc.? Maybe equistrian? I'm just trying to think of a sport that comes close to figure skating.</p>

<p>So, even if synchro skating is a club sport; the admin people will know the complexity and dedication of the sport? </p>

<p>What about your high school? Do they give you a bunch of grief if you miss school for out of town testing or competitions? I only have to miss school a couple of times a year for a few days each time, but my school gives me a hard time. Other competitions are on the weekends and within driving distance. </p>

<p>I am sooooo excited to hear from a fellow skater! And the encouragment you gave me.....I am so thankful!!!</p>

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<p>WORLDSHOPPER - my DS was/is a swimmer - not for a high school team tho - as we don't have one - he swam for a private US swim club thru middle/high school - only thing available in this area for most kids - with a year round schedule/committment also - doubles alot of times - (before school at 4:30-5am to 7am) and again early evening practices - 7 days a week - so practice time could be as high as 30-40 hours a week as well at times (and when on vacations - we had to find the kid a pool to keep up on workout schedules - not an easy feat at times LOL - or think of it as him being a fish who would dryout if no water around LOL - kidding. (he is still involved in swimming - tho now at a college coaching level - definitely part fish!!! LOL)</p>

<p>The only thing our local high school did for the swimmers was to allow them to be 5 minutes late for school on doubles days - other than that there were no other special accomadations made for them at all - even with the competitions involved - alot of out-of-state travel - tho mostly on weekends - tho there were a few times he had to miss a day or two. They had to manage and arrange their school work/schedules with individual teachers as far as assignments and all. Our principal was somewhat understanding of their schedules and at least respected these kids for their committment to their sport. OOO and the kids who were in what is called the National group were not allowed/very discouraged from participating in other sports - by the coach!!! - so their school EC's were somewhat limited in that respect.</p>

<p>My DD was a softball player - 5 years in high school - but she also played in private and very competitive leagues as well - at times on 2 teams at the same time - which required alot of travel 8 months out of the year. The other 4+ months she snowboarded - NOT a high school sport either - BUT that is what she competes on in college - at the club level - which is a very competitive program in some respects - she cannot imagine not being able to participate in this sport and actually chose her school because they offered snowboarding as a club sport.
(she has been to college nationals twice now!!! - so not a bad choice at all.)</p>

<p>As you can see - they both had very demanding athletic schedules - and not all involved high school - both benefited from these experiences greatly - and for both - set them apart - made each of them unique - utilized their accomplishments to their advantage when it came to college applications - because they both showed that special uniqueness - committment to their passions - and accomplishments resulting from long hours of practice, attention to improvement and their ability to manage their time in a way that many high school students have not figured out. Time management to participate in out of school activities shows maturity and drive - just because it does not occur thru a recognized high school program certainly does not mean it is not as important - and adcom's do recognize this. If your skating is important to you - find a way to continue doing it in college - it will make alot of difference for you - in many ways - following your interests is important for maintaining your physical, emotional well-being. </p>

<p>Many Club sports fill a void for many - that would otherwise be unable to participate/compete in something they love to do - they would not exist if they were not important and supported by the schools that have them - they are there for a purpose - take advantage of it if you can - to continue doing something that is obviously needed and wanted in your life. Continue to work hard at it - and to reach your goals - and to continue to improve. You will always be able to give yourself that pat on the back for doing something to the best of your ability - and to be very proud of yourself for doing it.</p>

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<p>Thanks JeepMom! I love the encouragement I have received. Regarding your son's swimming - yes, that is a sport I knew took a lot of dedication and training especially since I live near a NOVA facility and see cars there in the wee mornings and late at night. Snowboarding is a very unusual sport, especially for a girl! You must be really proud of your kids and I am certain you, as a parent, have made many sacrifices in your life (time and financial) in order for your kids to reach their goals and pursue their passions. Hats off to you!</p>

<p>Looking over the college applications; how does one list all their achievements for a particualar EC or ECs? Like most applicants, I have a laundry list of ECs/achievements/cs hours and all that good stuff to report. However, instead of including everything - I have decided to cut it back and just list the ones where I have the most depth in order to show dedication. I currently have what I would consider 5 major ECs. Within those 5 ECs; I have anywhere from 3 to 10 special acheivements/awards/leadership positions, etc. I want to properly showcase my passion and dedication to each one without just listing stuff for the sake of listing it. For example:</p>

<p>Drama & Performing Arts:</p>

<pre><code> Drama Club 9,10,11,12
International Thespian Society 10,11,12
Award for Best Assessments in Drama 10
IB Drama Exam HL - score of 7 out of 7
Directed Play - 12
Back Stage Hand in School Play - 11
Actor in one-act play - 10
Actor in school play - 9
Jazz class & Hip-Hop Dance Classes & Recitals - 11, 12
</code></pre>

<p>So, instead of just saying I was in the Drama Club and the International Thespian Society; I want to include the activities I did within them and anything pertaining to the performing arts.</p>

<p>Besides Drama, my other areas of depth are Spanish & Latin American Studies, Interact Club, a private club at school and of course my skating. All of these ECs, I have leadership roles (except one), cs hours within each one, awards, etc. </p>

<p>So, how do I go about showcasing my depth in each one? Doesn't seem like there is enough room on the applications in which to do so. </p>

<p>Suggestions, please?</p>

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<p>I'm attatching a seperate resume, since its imporrsible to list all my skating achievements. I can PM it to you if you're interested in how to format it. I abridged mt full resume which I've been keeping for a while -- for college, I just included the education (summer programs, etc.), extracurriculars (including awards), and volunteer work categories.</p>

<p>As for comparing to a muscial instrument, I think skating requires a similar level of dedication. The downside is that, at many places, you can't continue to skate -- so it's not like when the orchestra needs a bass trombone, if you play the bass trombone, you have a better shot at getting in. On the upside, fewer kids skate than play instruments, so you stand out a little more.</p>

<p>I'm actually not applying to Cornell. I talked to the admissions officer after the group information session when I visited (I was orginally planning to apply, but my majors are between schools, so it won't work too well), and subtly dropped the fact that I skated. And even if your schools don't require interviews, do them if you can. It certainly can't hurt.</p>

<p>Also, what level do you skate at? A lot of schools have club intercollegiate (singles), which you could join if they don't have a synchro team. You could contact the club sponsor, who would probably give you good information about the school (Mr. McGean, the coach at Dartmouth, even arranged for me to go to a class with one of the skaters while I was there) and might even help you get in, though with club sports that's less likely.</p>