<p>I see all these people getting into these top colleges with good grades and a few clubs. But none do any sports. Very rarely do I see someone who spends much time on sports that gets into top colleges. Does this mean that playing sports is really a waste of time when trying to get a boost?</p>
<p>I'm not saying cause you do all sports and have a 2.0GPA that you should get in an Ivy. It's just that from what I notice is that it's almost a waste of time to spend 6days a week, 3-4hr's day, 24hrs/week, on sports if your thinking it's going to help you in college. I just wish colleges would look into sports more. I think that someone who is able to keep say a 3.5 with say two sports should be better rewarded then someone with a 3.9 and no sports. IMO</p>
<p>Colleges really only care when someone shows devotion to a sport, or takes something away with it; the same goes for clubs. Honestly, nobody cares if you are Vice Treasurer of the Key Club. Also, many people do <em>better</em> in school while playing sports, in addition to the whole enjoying it thing.</p>
<p>Varsity athletics can be a huge boost at elite universities and colleges. However, it's a different admissions track. You have to contact the coaches or the athletic department and put yourself on the "recruited athlete" track rather than the standard admissions track.</p>
<p>It's understandable because sports require a lot of time, and many students who are more academically inclined may not be as athletically inclined (that isn't to say that there are many athletes among top college applicant pool though). Sports are tough, it requires a different type of skill, an athletic skill. It's not like you can transfer your academic talent to Academic Decathlon or Mock Trial or Model UN. It's something totally different that requires a lot of time and practice. With that said, it's also tough to get a leadership position in sports, because some high school kids dedicate a lot of time to sports, because that's the area that they primarily excel in. </p>
<p>But I wouldn't call it a "waste." Actually, I think that's just a totally wrong approach to thing. People don't play sports to get into college admissions! People play sports because they love it. They enjoy the competition, and they enjoy being mentally and physically well-rounded. They enjoy and take pride in being athletically fit. IT'S ONLY A WASTE IF YOU TREAT IT LIKE A RESUME BOOSTER!</p>
<p>I do understand where you're coming from, and I think that sports are a huge time commitment and should be recognized as that. I'm a 3 season athlete, but I'm definitely not good enough in anything to get recruited, so sports really won't boost my resume at all, but I would never consider it a waste. Some of my best tiems in highschool have been during cross country practices, so while the benefits may not be tangible, they are very worthy of the time commitment in my opinion. I hate to say it, but if your goals in sports are just superficial things like resume boosters, then you did waste your time, and you had it coming. Hope that doesn't sound mean, I jst udon't like when people do things for the sole purpose of boosting their application.</p>
<p>S and his two closest friends at school are all tri athletes who are not continuing any of the sports at college. All three of them got into an ivy. In fact, his school, like many prep school require the kids to do team sports. It is intrinisic to the philosophy of the school. Many selective school adcoms share this philosophy. I think with the emphasis now on getting a talented, well rounded CLASS rather than individual has mitagated some of the importance of being a great all around member of the community as compared to the way things were, but even having a hook will not help unless it is a hook that particular college wants and is short on that year. Though some negative remarks are made about "bwrks", such kids make a pretty big number in the selective schools. They have to also have the very high academic stats, as well, of course, but I would hardly call sports a waste of time. It's kids who have very little to put on the EC/activity sheets because they spent most of their time on studying, being tutored, test prepped and working on some self improvement activity that does is not needed by the universtiy, that are the most outrageous non admits, as many do have very high stats that make the parents question why on earth this student was denied.</p>
<p>Sports in themselves may not help you get into a top college, but it's my belief that people who participate in sports in high school tend to do better in other areas of life; I agree with many of those who posted above. I run cross country and am surely never going to be recruited, but I still run because I enjoy the sport and it's a lot of fun. I find that cross country gives me self-discipline and focus, which are extremely helpful with schoolwork and other activities.</p>
<p>On a side note, if you stick to a sport for all 4 years in high school and show a lot of dedication to it, I'm sure colleges would be impressed, regardless of whether you're a star athlete or not. That could go for any activity you're truly passionate about.</p>
<p>You guys to make a valid point. That it shouldn't be used as an App. Booster. I was just wishing that college admissions offers would realize that dedicating that much time and effort in a sport, should pay off in some way. Yes I'm not a captain, or state champ. But I do work hard and play three sports of which I'm made varsity for all. I just hope that colleges do look into that. In a way giving it more credit then just doing a club. </p>
<p>Club=1hr week. Sport=18+hrs.
That's why I find that more weight should be put on sports.</p>
<p>I certainly don't think sports are a "waste" in terms of college admissions. Yes, they are a "waste" if you are thinking in terms of resume boosting. I think ANY activity, if done with the goal of looking "good" for college admissions is a mistake. </p>
<p>Colleges want to see kids engaged outside the classroom in a long term committment with a heavy involvement, achievement, and leadership. It does not matter so much WHAT the activity is but more what the committment and dedication to it was weekly and over years and also what the student achieved in that activity. Certainly sports are seen as a dedicated EC. I don't view sports as only worthwhile in terms of admissions if a recruited athlete. I think even if NOT a recruited athlete, it is seen as a signficant and worthwhile EC. And we all know the time committment with a varsity sport! </p>
<p>Just as a point of reference, I have a daughter who was a three varsity sport athlete and pretty accomplished in all three sports. These were life long sports she had done since very young. She was engaged in many other EC besides sports but I am just talking of sports on this thread. She was NOT a recruited athlete, however. But she was a straight A student in the most challenging courses offered and then some, and valedictorian, etc. At our high school, many of the top students in the class, also did varsity sports, by the way. Anyhow, she got into several selective colleges, including two Ivies and attends one of them. She plays on the varsity level in one of her sports at college and on the club level in the other two sports. Sports did not get her into college (not recruited) but certainly her EC resume was full of significant activities in which she was engaged and had achieved. Sports was a big segment of that resume but not the only thing on it. But I think the devotion to this area of her life was a positive thing in looking at her total picture. She did not do sports to get into college. She did them cause she absolutely loves them and would never give them up, even IN college. </p>
<p>Fyi, a friend of mine, very mediocre student, B- average, 1 AP, just got into Hamilton college. The only thing going for him? He's a very good hockey player. He wasn't looking to get recruited, and hadn't talked to the coach, but somehow, got into Hamilton College anyway. Athletics can be a big help in admissions.</p>
<p>It's a much bigger boost for LAC's then the big schools, since LAC's can take more time looking for well-rounded applicants with skill everywhere.</p>
<p>Even if you're not a team captain, sports, especially team sports, requires you to be a leader. I'm a football player (no way I'm getting recruited though, ha!) and as a senior player next season, I'll be expected to be a leader through words and example. Even being president of the Student Council doesn't demand the kind of intense show of character that a sport like football does.</p>
<p>One of my only ECs when I applied was soccer. I had others like NHS, etc. but nothing significant. I played soccer like over 20 hours per week, my team won state 6 years straight, regionals 2 years, and at nationals we were runners up. I was a bench player because my team was so good. I wasn't recruited at Penn or any DI school but I was at other schools UChicago, WUSTL, Emory, NYU, and MIT. I still was accepted at penn even though I really only had one major EC - which was a sport!</p>
<p>Sports definitely count. Obviously if you are good enough to get recruited it makes a huge difference. Even if you're not going to get recruited it still should make a difference. Playing one sport (I play two) really is the same amount of work as doing five clubs. I mean everyday after school for 2 hours should mean something. It also can set you apart as someone who's more well-rounded. Playing sports means that you're not someone who sticks his head in a book all day. It also shows that you're involved with different types of students. One minute you're with the kids on the math team and the next minute you're hanging out in the gym. Now that's well-rounded. Also from my own experiences I do better academically and have better mental health when I'm playing sports - they relieve stress.</p>
<p>You should only commit yourself to something if you can still handle the other, more important, responsibilites. With that in mind, simply doing high school sports year-round in itself is not nearly enough to lower your grades: the time commitment isn't enormous. </p>
<p>On the other hand, to make you feel better, people with ~3.5 and sports (obviously along with other things) get accepted to top schools.</p>
<p>Once again, even if you aren't good enough to get recruited sports definitely make a difference. Everyone knows that sports themselves take a lot more effort than a single club. Also, doing well academically and athletically shows a well-rounded person. The ability to be around different types of people also has been a good experience. In no instance has my schoolwork gone down because of sports.</p>
<p>Playing sports isn't something you should do to just look good when submitting college apps, you play sports because you love them! Although some may not consider it a sport of such, I spent a ton of time in JROTC Drill Team, usually about 5-15 hours a week all year around practicing. It does take up a considerable amount of my free time (especially when meets are near), but I do it simply because I love the experience. Sports should be the same way; if you don't enjoy the sport, don't play it.</p>
<p>and yes, sports are huge a boost. i know a kid who got into UVA out-of-state with an 890 SAT composite...and he got a full ride too! Another got into Harvard with an 1180...so, sports are huge</p>