Hi everyone! I’ve competed in varsity cross country for the past three years and served as a varsity co-captain last year. I’ve really enjoyed the sport and its really grown me. But, my other extracurriculars have really piled on and I don’t think I could commit the time or effort necessary for this coming cross country or track season. I also need the extra time to work on college apps, finish standardized testing, manage my 5 AP classes, and finally to have some time to spend with friends…
Though I am in no way hoping to get recruited, cross country could be a pretty strong focus of my college app. Because I’ve spent so much time in the sport, it’s easy for me to find teachers who were previous xc/track coaches to write recs, write essays on running, etc…
I’m a pretty competitive candidate for top-tier colleges and am wondering if quitting my sports will affect my chances of being admitted? Thanks so much for your time
if you enjoy your other EC’s a lot more, I’d say go for it 100%. However, you’ve mentioned essays about running, rec letters…quitting your sport would probably eliminate both of those…I personally think from a strictly admissions standpoint, that you shouldn’t quit. Unless those EC’s have a more significant impact! But from an enjoyment standpoint, it’s your decision! (I had to stop XC for junior year of high school because of other EC commitments…)
My S made a varsity sport as a Soph (and was in a county singles championship)
yet did not come back for Junior year. Had too many other interests.
As far as recommendations, schools mainly want teachers and maybe others outside the school.
Yes a coach in addition is nice, but not a requirement. If they are good people, they would write one
for you anyway, but not so critical.
Why? It sounds like OP spent three years of their life doing this. Those three years don’t cease to exist because they choose to quit; they can still write an essay about it and get recommendation letters from the people who have mentored them in this sport for three years (although I agree that rec letters are usually best written by academic teachers).
