<p>Hi, ivwannabe the sophomore again with a new question:
I am currently in varsity tennis, for the second year in a row. I am also in varsity debate, for the second year in a row. Next year I know I have to drop one of them, for my AP courses. I know that colleges in general look for some continuity when it comes to EC’s and I was wondering which activity I should stick with: TENNIS, or DEBATE?
Thanks!</p>
<p>edit: specific to which one Barnard would like more. :)</p>
<p>I have noticed, as an athlete, that Barnard really does like athletes. The reason I think this is true is because most of the recruited athletes go Columbia College or SEAS because the general Barnard way of viewing education and personality doesn’t appeal to jocks. That is spreading a large blanket, but that is what I have found, and, let’s face it, jocks like the Columbia name. With a lack of recruited athletes, Barnard needs to focus on those who are not being recruited but will still continue their sports. Sports bring a large part to a college campus-- excitement, determination, and physical wellness, just to name a few. Therefore, even if you are not being recruited, I think taking tennis would catch the adcom’s notice. You should talk it over with Ms. Middleton, the athletic liaison at Barnard.
Hope all is well with you!</p>
<p>Decide which you enjoy more. I had to drop speech and debate (and I was supposed to be captain) because meetings were at the same time as yearbook (I’m editor). I’d only been doing yearbook for a year, versus my 4 years of debate, but I think I made the right choice. Debate had become an obligation, so I picked the activity that I truly enjoyed. I suggest you do the same.</p>
<p>I don’t know about Barnard, but I also was a varsity tennis player and a debater in high school. I remember sorting evidence at the tennis courts while waiting for my match to begin. I chose to continue with debate because I was a much better debater than a tennis player; I was ultimately recruited and went to college on a debate scholarship. Debate helped me with public speaking and organizing my thoughts both in college and law school.</p>
<p>Besides considering which you enjoy more, think about your natural talents. How are you doing? Do you play USTA tournaments, and are you ranked in your state? Are you winning debate tournaments? Did you compete in the state debate tournament?</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m not particularly great at either one yet, but I could get much better at debate. I was just wanting to know which one looked better on my transcript, assuming that I didn’t plan on playing at Barnard.
I also will definitely be contacting Ms. Middleton, thanks for giving me her name!</p>
<p>Just always keep an open mind about college sports. Even future employers look to see if you were an athlete.</p>
<p>Again, do what you enjoy. Life should be about more than the perfect four year college experience. Choose the activity you look forward to each day. If that doesn’t make it clear choose the group of people you want to spend time with and who you admire.</p>
<p>My perspective as a hs senior who debated. I gained considerable skills that are applicable to my life as a student and my work from debate. Also, in my limited experience, people’s level of skill as well as the amount of time they invested in debate *heavily *determined how much they enjoyed it and how much they learned. </p>
<p>Another thing, when I cut out sports I found I also cut a lot of the time I had spent on general conditioning. I didn’t realize how this would affect my health, and not just physical, until a few years past my decision. Consider how much of your exercise is tied to tennis, and what portion of that you are willing to give up.</p>
<p>I also might point out that my interview was easier for me than if could of been because I was used to speaking in a high pressure environment (actually the interview was super low key, but you get the idea). Speech and Debate shaped me as a person, but ultimately I stuck with what excited me.</p>
<p>Thank you, that does make sense. Ultimately, I signed up for debate, but I slightly regret my decision, and am considering switching. My counselor told me it would be a good idea to contact admissions at Barnard and the other colleges I was interested in, and I was wondering if
A) this would be a good idea at all and if admissions would actually answer
and B) who exactly I should ask to speak to?
Thank you again!</p>