Should I explain...my GPA suffered because of....sports?

<p>Here's the deal. I have an Ok GPA around 3.5, with honors and A.P.'s mixed in, but I could have done soooo much better. I didn't apply myself like I should have. I was so caught up into athletics (both at school and on the club level) that I let my grades stop from being my main priority. I never had a grade below an A until high school. Now I have a few c's and several b's on my transcript.</p>

<p>This year, my senior year, I have realized that I will not be a recruited athlete in my sport. I spent so much time on travel teams and now I have nothing to show for it. I am kicking a-- with an intense schedule so far this year. I fear however, that it is too late and that colleges will look at me as a not so serious student. Should I explain that I've learned my lesson on the "Is there anything you would like us to know about your academic record" section of the UC application? Or, will this honesty be perceived by admissions people as hot air or too many violins?</p>

<p>I've heard against doing this. Considering in selective applicant pools, a lot of kids are accomplished (lot of time commitment) in something outside of school as well as being strong academically in school. Rather show that you developed the ability to be able to juggle these different tasks than make an excuse for why you couldn't.</p>

<p>BTW hope you're still enjoying your sport, I was in similar situation and ended up giving up my sport due to not being able to handle it.</p>

<p>I agree, many kids are scholar athletes. Anyway, UCs are by the numbers anyway.</p>

<p>Thanks for your replies. Yeah, I want to be honest but somehow my reasoning ability won't let me make excuses for why my GPA is less than stellar. I did make scholar athlete all the years I played, so maybe it's not so bad. Hopefully they’ll realize that my class load was tough and my numbers will be good enough.
PS. I'm still playing my sport, but I'm still not any taller. (LOL!)</p>