Hey y’all! I am a rising senior beginning the application process. In general, the schools I am applying are low acceptance rate, smaller liberal arts/Ivys that don’t place an emphasis on athletics (E.g Swarthmore, Yale), though I have some other slightly more sports oriented schools in there (Stanford, Rice, Northwestern). I have done gymnastics competitively since I was 9 (17(school year)/20(summer) hours a week for most of high school, though I have scaled back on hours recently due to injuries). I do not plan compete in college, and many schools I applied to don’t even have a club team. As a level 8ish who has had moderate success at the state level I am simply not at the level that any
varsity college team would remotely consider, even for a walk-on. I am currently considering whether or not to emphasize my involvement on my application. While I can talk about the lessons of perseverance and dedication it has taught me until the cows come home, it is arguably less flashy than other possible points of emphasis (State chair of a prominent national organization, state student advisory council, organizer of a 3,000+ person march, etc.). Yet, it is an intrinsic part of my life which I have dedicated a TON of hours to, and it has helped me greatly in dance, something I am considering minoring in. I’m sure many others are in a similar position, so I welcome any advice/ stories of similar experiences.
Generally only when you are recruitable. “What you learned winning the big game or teamwork” etc are excellent components of an essay or prompt, perhaps. It’s just not a good idea for the focus of your essay or approach.
But the pros tell us it doesn’t really show them who you are or what you’ll contribute to their community. Unless you’re playing for the school and they value that skill, more about non athletic components in the classroom, community and future aspirations that their campus will uniquely fulfill. FWIW
I would list it in your application then draw attention to the dedication, hard work in a one liner in the essay. That is what my son did. Never going into shot put or throwing in college but he learned it took a lot of devotion to make his personal best or to improve himself and he knows that he will need that type of devotion to get through engineering. Etc. Again just a quick reference and a new point to learn about yourself but I wouldn’t dwell on it. They will get the point. Colleges like when your doing things for many years.
In my opinion, it’s the personal qualities and future campus contribution that should shine through. Whatever activity or experience illustrates this-- is the way to go. My son touched on sports in an essay, it was a backdrop/jumping off point to highlight his collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
I was accepted ED with merit to one of the schools on your list. My sport (not one that’s recruitable, nor will it be for another decade at least) was the highlight of my application. It was my first-listed activity on the CommonApp, I mentioned it at least in passing in all of my essays, and it was the focus of my 650-word CommonApp essay. However, the essay wasn’t just about the sport–it was about how my fear of heights kind of made me a better Science Bowl captain.
Gymnastics is a baller sport. Talk about how it prepared you for all of the other awesome stuff you’ve got going on.
If you want more Rice-specific advice, shoot me a PM and I can try to help you out.
It’s no longer about “winning the big game,” being Mr or Ms Big. But sports do require a lot of time and commitment. They’re also a good example of following the coach’s lead, adapting to his/her expectations. So, you don’t need to talk about perseverance in sports. Adcoms will get it. The principle is “Show, not just tell.” List it under activities.
Nor do you need to be flashy. Getting an admit to a tippy tip isn’t about being best at this or that (state chair, organizing more people, etc.) They’ll look for the smaller ways you commit, too, the caring and participation, some impact around you, as well. How alert and aware you are, the choices you made, in toto.
Holistic, not hierarchical. And when a college is sensitive to this, it’s important to get an idea of that this “more” is, what they look for.
I can imagine a lot of essay topics coming from this… Having a teammate with a really differ world view but a shared passion, the decision to not pursue something you love further, doing something so well and putting so much time in but not being the best. The essay is your chance to show who you are, not to talk about what you’ve done.
I can’t imagine spending so much time at something and not having it had a meaningful impact!