athletic & art supplements: how good do you have to be?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m a runner, but due to injuries I haven’t been able to compete at a higher level until recently. Still, I’m not incredibly fast …</p>

<p>So I was wondering if it would just be embarassing to submit an athletic supplement?
I also do pole vault and that’s considered a sort of unusual sport I guess, so it’s in higher demand…maybe…</p>

<p>Same goes with art
I really really enjoy art, but I looked at the supplement for that and they ask for what classes you’ve taken and stuff, and besides courses at school, I’ve mostly been self-studied, so there’s nothing that impressive there…my portfolio probably wont be able to compete with that of other applicants either as I just started to build it up</p>

<p>Think it’s worth a shot, or am I just hurting my application by pretentiously adding things I’m not even that good at?</p>

2

<p>Doesn’t address athletics, but there is plenty of background info if you follow the links.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/common-application/971414-common-app-questions-activities-awards-additional-info-recs-etc-please-advise.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/common-application/971414-common-app-questions-activities-awards-additional-info-recs-etc-please-advise.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It really depends on the institution, and what you as a complete candidate bring to the table.</p>

<p>Another: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/971928-need-experienced-parent-guidance-counselor-who-can-help.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/971928-need-experienced-parent-guidance-counselor-who-can-help.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In the case of the performance or creative disciplines, professional level assessment of skills or talents can be the most effective means of assessing if it’s “good enough”.</p>

3

<p>Do you want to join a college sports team? If not, don’t bother with an “athletic supplement” (do those even exist? or do you just contact coaches?).</p>

<p>As for art, the small size of your portfolio shouldn’t be an issue, as it’s unlikely that adcoms will pore over a huge portfolio given their time constraints, but if the quality isn’t up to snuff, you aren’t doing yourself any favors.</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard, supplements of any kind should be avoided unless the applicant is remarkably gifted. Ask yourself these questions: Will the inclusion of a supplement make me a more compelling candidate? Does it make sense in the context of my applicaton? Or am I just grasping at straws to find something–anything–that mightsortakina help my application?</p>