<p>So I just read this one post here and it said ultra competitive college admissions often have more preference to asian athlete over a stereotypical weak asian geek. This concerned me greatly but intrigued me. Ever since I was a young one I would venture myself away from sports esspecially since I had a "loner" persona according to my friends. Now my intrest has gradually increased but I fear it may be too late and besides I am concerned my myopia will detract me Although a few friends seem to encourage me to join sports but here's the issue.
American Football: I tremble when I see a flying football and everytime I try to play someone has to teach me how to throw and catch the ball. Besides I really dislike the some football jocks and their allies(long story)
Basketball: I am tall and I am fast. But there are already people with extraordinary skills in my school's teams and I have horrible aim and some of my friends advised me not to pick it at this time. Though it could be a good option
Soccer: I could be the first ASIAN but I have the main concern of alienating myself if I play badly for all sports. Although it doesn't require catching which could be a save for me with my hand-eye coordination
Tennis: I actually seem to consider it as a docile sport though I wonder if some disagree. It doesn't seem to display high levels of agression like other sports but the school's team is full of girls I wouldn't want to embarass myself.
Golf: It might be the best option. I consider as "docile" sport and I think it would help me build patience and reduce my stress and anxiety levels. Problem: NO GOLF COURSE
Swimming:Hydrophobic period
Running:Honestly I love running so it might be the best option as long as I apply myself.
Although I do realize that being myself is the best option and that if a college doesn't want me for me than why should I consider changing for that one university even if it is the most elite university in the world. Besides I decided thatI should have a more artistic side so I could be a creative nerd instead of a jockey nerd. Sports does sound like a good experience for me but I fear thst I would be alienated if I perform badly. DO you think I should take the risk?
Please be nice and kind if you respond and thanks for the advice :D</p>
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<p>I think what they meant was recruited athletes. So they are looking for qualified students that can help them compete athletically while also meeting the academic requirements not necessarily just because they don’t want “geeks”</p>
<p>Are you starting high school now?</p>
<p>Do what YOU want to do; the colleges that accept you will want you the way you are. </p>
<p>Athletics are great for your body, mind, social life and lifelong health. By all means, pick up a sport that interests you. Odds are you won’t be recruited as an athlete, especially starting now, but you will reap many other benefits.</p>
<p>Yes I’m starting high school</p>
<p>From what I can tell ultra-competitive schools prefer well-rounded, academically high achieving students or academically high achieving students with laser focus (i.e., Intel Science Award winners, National Music Competition Performers, etc). I’m not sure that Asian comes into play. To my mind you need to ask yourself a simple question, do I really want to play a sport in high school? From your answers it sounds like you would prefer not to. Your desire to play a sport seems driven by how it will affect your profile, not by some love of competition or even a desire to be “in shape”. Sports are a big time commitment as well as a big physical one. If you don’t want to be there, practice and working out will quickly become tedious and discouraging. Given your attitude toward competition - the use of the word docile is a give-away - I think you’d be better served exploring and excelling at things that you are interested in, not things other people tell you you should be interested in.</p>
<p>I suggest trying out for some teams and seeing how it goes, you may find that you actually like a particular sport. At many schools, but not all, the Junior Varsity level is far less intense. But understand, striving to win is a big component of sports; picking a sport by how it looks can be deceiving, there is no less intensity or gamesmanship in running or golf than in football or baseball.</p>
<p>Does your school have a cross-country team? At many schools, these are no-cut teams so it’s easy to try out for a year even if you’re not outstanding to start with, and even if you don’t end up continuing. Even if you turn out to be lousy, you’ll get into great shape.</p>
<p>That said, if you don’t like organized sports, don’t do them. I’ve always enjoyed physical activity but I like to do it on my own, in a mostly noncompetitive way. You’ll have more fun, and you’ll be more impressive to colleges as well, if you choose something you can enthusiastically commit to, and in which you have genuine talent.</p>
<p>I would not encourage a student to play a sport for an expected boost in admissions.
It does not sound like there is a sport you already enjoy, or that you would expect to be recruited by a college to play.
I have seen many students trash their grades with intense year-round sports, practicing several hours a day and traveling for weekend tournaments.
You have to spend your time in ways that matter to you.</p>
<p>Unless you are passionate about a sport, it seems unlikely that you could catch up and perform at a high enough level to be recruitable in three years. (The recruiting process begins around spring of junior year and summer before senior year.) A recruit would need state champion level or regional placement to be considered a top recruit.</p>
<p>As advised above^^ do what you love, what you have the natural aptitude for, and you will likely find the most success.</p>
<p>Competitive colleges do not particularly want “jock Asians.” They want PASSIONATE Asians. In fact, they want passionate Caucasians, African-Americans, Hispanics, Indians, Native Americans, Arabs, and everything else as well. My point here is that it seems most top colleges want students who can prove they are dedicated, passionate, and talented in any one (or more) area. </p>
<p>Many will say Asians who participate in math, science, or occasionally music are at a disadvantage in admissions because they do not stand out among the Asian population.
I don’t think this is necessarily so. I feel that if you can prove, through essays or by describing how much work you put into these activities in the activities section of an application, that you are passionate and not just participating in these activities “cause mommy and daddy made me,” then you will be fine, regardless of activities.
On the other hand, if you participate in an activity (in your case, it seems, sports) that you have chosen only because you think it is what universities want, it typically shows. Admissions officers read thousands of applications a piece per year; they will see right through you. </p>
<p>Pick something you will love every single moment of. It will not only impress admissions officers, but it will enrich your life and help you grow as a person, which is the real purpose of your high school years anyway.</p>