<p>The more I learn about what Ivy League acceptees at our school, the more I'm convinced that academics and academic activities are more valued than athletic activities in the world of college admissions. Maybe it is just our school, but I'm still worried because the majority of my extracurricular activities is athletics-related. Now I realize that this won't do me much good since by no means am I at a professional level. Is my theory correct?</p>
<p>With this, I'd like to ask another question: how much advantage does being in MUN give you? Is it much favorable or is MUN just another common activity?</p>
<p>Well, one would certainly hope that academics and academic activities should be more valued than athletics, because colleges are academic institutions first and foremost.</p>
<p>Depends on which one interests you more. After all, it is only your main areas of interest that you tend to perform better - and perhaps even win awards - in.</p>
<p>Thanks. Can anyone answer my second question about MUN?</p>
<p>depends on your athletic activities, are you getting recruited by colleges? If so, that changes the whole admissions game...but if you are not looking to do it for college, then it counts just as much as any other activity that you are good at. </p>
<p>MUN is looked favorably by colleges, but there are tons of kids who do it, especially in northeast where it's huge. It's a good club to have, shows your communication skills and international awareness</p>
<p>I do MUN and am part of one of the best MUN teams in the country. Here is the deal:</p>
<p>Do whichever one which you will be more successful in. MUN offers countless opportunities to win individual delegate awards and opportunities for your school MUN team to win school delegation awards. If you do well and win these individual awards; then MUN is definitely worth it. You're showing your ability to think outside the box while handling real world issues and finding solutions to them while working with others. However, if your not good at MUN, you will be one of the masses. Thousands of people spend money and go to these conferences and sit there and do nothing. If your one of them, sports will be more rewarding.</p>
<p>But, its your a good athlete who can win individual athletic awards, join the varsity team, become captain, etc. Then, athletics are more worth it. You don't need to be good enough to be recruited for it to be beneficial for you.</p>
<p>Naturally, one who can do both is the best. But not everyone, including myself, can do such.</p>
<p>Essentially, do the thing which will allow you to shine the best. Colleges want to see you where you do the best, it doesn't matter if its non academic or academic. Remember, colleges have athletic and MUN teams. So they can fit you into either.</p>
<p>Do whatever you like. Colleges do look for specific characteristics, such as academic passion. However, at the end, you want to show which characteristics are the most significant parts to you. You can show academic passion in other ways such as being a valuable part of intellectual discussion, or joining other academic teams. MUN is for the political/international type. Is that who you are? Colleges want to see how you spend your time. They don't care what you do. Every EC says things about you. If you are GOOD in sports, it says you're a good team person, and that you're focused, diligent, commited. Both EC's say nice things about you. Focus on the EC that will show who you are.</p>
<p>However, another thing colleges look for is diversity. MUN is so common in applicants, (my school's team has 50+ people) you have to truly be exceptional for colleges to actually take note. However, do not let diversity affect your decision. If you choose sports, simply because it'll look better, it's kinda like purposely choosing to play the Tuba rather than the instrument you like to impress colleges.</p>
<p>It's of negligible importance unless you are really good at it, or demonstrate a lot of interest. But the same goes for sports...</p>
<p>Lots of kids do MUN, chat people up during lobbying, fall asleep or do homework in debate and still put it on their college apps. But lots of other kids win delegate awards, delegation awards, get appointed student officers, etc. etc. So do it if you really enjoy it. Ditto sports.</p>