how much do sports REALLY help?

mam1959
Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:19:08 +0000

When it comes to sports - being “diverse” is not what colleges look for, at least if one frames the issue in terms of sports giving a significant admissions advantage. Want a serious admissions advantage at most places? Be All-State in a sport. Want a serious admissions advantage at the nation’s most competitive schools? Be an All American or a top 20 athlete in a non-revenue sport. Football is a different animal - and to a degree - basketball is as well. But these are the kinds of achievements that provide an identifiable cause and effect in terms of admission.

I have posted in the past - formerly a national champion in my sport - and have some familiarity with the process (and its often unspoken negatives).

So in the end, if you do not have the kind of talent or drive to reach the levels described above, don’t participate in a sport merely for college admissions purposes. It doesn’t make sense. Participate because you like it, find it a good way to express yourself, and a beneficial experience in terms of being accountable to teammates, coaches and yourself. Very few athletes can sit atop the pedestal, but that doesn’t make the efforts of all of the others not worthwhile - the intrinsic values are great - no need to cloud them with angst over college admissions.