<p>I'm a guy and I'm pretty much up to par with other applicants in terms of academics/volunteering work, but I'm minimally involved in sports, only karate (3 years, recreational), and table tennis (2 years, recreational). My school here (international applicant) restricts you to only 1 main club, and it's Red Cross I chose.</p>
<p>Is my lack of sports really going to affect my chances of entering a prep school?</p>
<p>I admit that Andover is definitely out of reach, so I'm planning to apply to Choate, Lawrenceville, Concord, Taft etc.</p>
<p>I'm a full-pay applicant for the 11th grade, and I'm enrolled in a top school where I'm from. It's the top oxbridge entry center out of the UK, so I guess it's comparable to the schools that I'm planning to apply for.</p>
<p>Schools are looking for all sorts of kids to make up their community - debaters, musicians, writers - and athletes. </p>
<p>But they are definitely looking for kids (especially one entering as an 11th grader) who have a demonstrated interest/aptitude/passion in <em>something.</em> Ask yourself the question - “what makes me unique and interesting; what can I bring to the school community?” (For you, it might be your demonstrated interest in serving the greater community through your volunteer and Red Cross involvement.)</p>
<p>Our DS just completed the admissions cycle (2nd time through) and was accepted at all four schools where he applied. His only sports involvement has been being a part of our local climbing team, and he’s never won a climbing competition of any sort. However, he has been very successful in several other ECs that he is very passionate about.</p>
<p>So no, I don’t think a lack of “athletic credentials” would prevent someone from being admitted to a school. But I also think it takes more than just good grades and high test scores to make an applicant a compelling candidate for a school.</p>