<p>Hey guys. I'm currently a HS senior, and I've been talking w/ a coach from a Division I school who is encouraging me to continue to do athletics in college. Does this hinder pre-medical success? I mean, I'd have to stay in tip-top shape over the summer--summers which should ideally be used for medically-related activitites, and I'd have to travel around and miss classes during the in-season.</p>
<p>I'm not an amazing athlete, but I do enjoy the cameraderie of teams; that being said, Division I is reputed to be pretty intense...</p>
<p>Do sports if you like it but don't let it become an excuse for poor grades or EC's. Only you know if you can handle the committment of D-I sports along with the usual rigors of premed.</p>
<p>I know a girl who is a 2nd year med student and played D I soccer during undergrad. She said that in general schools appreciated the time commitment and loved the fact that she was involved in Varsity athletics.</p>
<p>My husband's cardiology practice has 2 dr.s who played DI in college--both were soccer. My brother's orthopedic group also has at least 2 who played in college though I'm not sure of Division. These dr.s also said that the med schools liked that fact that they had other strong interests. One guy in my husband's practice raced cars (when he could work it into his schedule) through undergrad and even med school.</p>
<p>It's probably like performing a very hard routine at the Olympics in figure skating. A hard routine is a bonus if you get it right, but doesn't mitigate the disaster if you mess it up.</p>