<p>Maybe I'm just a bit biased since I was rejected with three seasons of sports, but looking at the results, kids who weren't recruited but who participate in sports didn't fare too well.</p>
<p>Personally, I think sports are huge commitments... I spent three hours a day running.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>I agree, sports are a huge commitment, but unless you're good, I can't see why it'd help. There are about 100 kids on the boys track and field team at my school, all of whom practice every day for 3 hours. It's not that unique.</p>
<p>My main extracurricular was a sport and I am not playing in college. I had leadership and played for a nationally ranked team. I think I treated the subject quite well on my EC blurb as well. I think that Y is looking for distinction and the feeling that lessons were learned, rather than just a time commitment. Perhaps that's the difference? I dunno.</p>
<p>But I agree that sports are generally less attractive than they should be for non-recruits.</p>
<p>"I agree, sports are a huge commitment, but unless you're good, I can't see why it'd help. There are about 100 kids on the boys track and field team at my school, all of whom practice every day for 3 hours. It's not that unique."</p>
<p>Well I'm not just talking about track, but I think that's a huge commitment. If you can show how much effort you've put in, especially if you do something all year round, I think it shouldn't be so overlooked. Math Olympiads, science clubs etc. are much easier commitments imo.</p>
<p>Plus, the 100 or so kids on your team.. well I'm sure they're half freshmen and they'll quit within a year because they can't handle schoolwork + athletics</p>
<p>I was suprised at how few of the accepted applicants did sports regularly.</p>
<p>To be honest, in the four years that I did XC, I had to deal with not sleeping, yet still getting homework done. I think running 7 days a week is a bigger committment than student council or model UN (both of which I've done).</p>
<p>Amen, I don't think most people have the willpower and time management to handle that</p>
<p>kROCK91,</p>
<p>While I did not apply to Yale EA nor can I since I got into Penn's Huntsman program ED, I must say that I totally agree with you that sports are a huge commitment, much more so than Model UN, Student Congress, Honors Society, DECA, Executive board, Newspaper editor, etc (all of which I do).</p>
<p>I must say that as a four year runner in XC and Track and two year captain, and two year member of the basketball team, I know exactly what you mean. Running, especially, has become a lifestyle for me as I am sure it has for you. I am confident that you will receive a pay off for your committment be it in college admittance or in some other form later in life. Trust me.</p>
<p>Be incredibly proud of the fact that you run. It really is something special.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance. And don't worry, I'm not bummed out or anything. I know I'm going to college somewhere, and I'll enjoy it wherever it is.</p>
<p>I'm a Varsity Soccer Captain, not recruited, who got in.</p>
<p>I'd say the impact of sports, just like the impact of any other extracurricular, depends on how much excellence you demonstrate. Playing a sport is just like being on the debate team. Just doing it won't help you that much.</p>
<p>"I'd say the impact of sports, just like the impact of any other extracurricular, depends on how much excellence you demonstrate."</p>
<p>yes but what exactly qualifies as excellence? For example I dance an average of 4 hrs/day every day of the week and have been dance team captain for 2 yrs at my school...is just being captain considered excellent by them? or do they look more for like awards...like being recognized as an All-American by NDA or getting top awards and first places on solos at regional and national competitions? OR would getting scholarships from dance companies be significant?</p>
<p>I'm just wondering if it has to be like a national or international first place champion of everything kind of award for it to have any credit with them, or if numerous small but prestigious awards count?</p>
<p>also, is going to state for an individual sport (swimming) an accomplishment worth mentioning if you didn't place?</p>