<p>So I've been on this board for a little while reading about all these kids that are in science bowl, varsity quiz, math club, etc. etc. and it got me wondering if their EC's look better than mine.</p>
<p>I've played sports my entire high school career (wrestling fresh/soph year - JV Captain, football and lacrosse all 4 years- captain of both of those varsity teams) and I love it. The thing is though, with the dedication I've had to these sports, I haven't had time to join all those other clubs. I'm in National Honor Society, and was voted Jr. and Sr. class rep., but that's my only other one.</p>
<p>So here's my question: does it look better on an app to put one hour a week in to every club the school offers or to dedicate 30/40 hours a week or so to sports and not have a huge list?</p>
<p>My stats are okay considering where I'm applying. (5 Ivies, Stanford, Georgetown, NYU, BU, GW)
GPA = 4.0 uw, 4.8 w
Valedictorian
mediocre 2150 SAT (thought this was good until it was too late)
33 ACT though with a 35 in science (my intended field)</p>
<p>My son doesn't belong to any clubs. He's been a 4 year varsity starter on the baseball team,plays on a nationally ranked travel team, co-captain Jr and Sr year. He's has a 4.2 gpa, good SAT's and has already been accepted at 6 schools he applied to. (Has accepted an academic/athletic D1 scholarship.</p>
<p>So I guess not being in any clubs didn't hurt him.</p>
<p>For Ivies, my opinion (based purely on anecdotal observation) is that if you have the grades and test scores, then varsity sports is preferable to clubs. I'm sure many have had success with clubs and no sports, though.</p>
<p>I do sports, and I always feel crappy when someone lists out all the clubs they are in, and I am not in anything other than sports related activities.</p>
<p>most ivy-accepted people have clubs, but those who have sports seem to be at some kind of advantage (or so i've noticed). But it's always good to have both.</p>
<p>Most sports I am familiar with are 20 hour per week commitments. It would take 6-8 clubs to show the commitment that one varsity sport does. You be the judge.</p>
<p>P.S. I have read comments by many adcoms that "Being in a club" is of zero value. You either started it, or you're the president of it. Anything less doesn't really show leadership, does it?</p>
<p>Usually all high school clubs need in order to start are a teacher sponshorship and a small portion of students. That being said, it's easy to start your own club(s), and much harder to commit to a sport.</p>
<p>Sports show more dedication that a few clubs.</p>
<p>At my school, it's pretty much impossible to do sports with even 1 or 2 clubs because of the dedication needed. Thus, I didn't do any sports and focused on being very active in 3-4 clubs my four years of high school. Another person I know, however, did 3 sports (captain of two) and no clubs. We both got in Y early. In all, it all depends on your involvement. Sports will not gain favor over clubs, nor the other way around.</p>
<p>wow thanks for all the responses. and i guess nhs is. but we do a decent amount of community service (like 70 hrs. a year), i think more that I've been elected as a leader by my peers is a bigger deal.</p>
<p>A bunch of random clubs won't impress. Commitment and accomplishments in a couple of areas would be much better. Leadership roles, initiatives (new programs, etc.), etc. are signals of a quality applicant.</p>