<p>My son, a high school sophomore, has been participating in city’s swimming team since middle school. They compete in the summer and winter leagues against neighboring cities/towns and top swimmers compete in regional A/B finals. Does it count as a sport in college application? </p>
<p>He is not in his high school’s swimming team but should be able to qualify for it. If the city sports team doesn’t count then is it too late to switch to the high school team from the college application standpoint? </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter to the colleges. his sport is his sport. Lots of kids play in leagues that aren’t part of a school – they all “count”</p>
<p>Indeed, some non-school leagues are the higher performing levels. Colleges don’t convey more recognition to one over the other – why should they?</p>
<p>Yup - it doesn’t even have to be an ‘organized’ sport. Skate-boarding, skiing, hiking, hunting - if you put serious time into your ‘sport,’ it’s an EC. Schools want to know who you are outside of class, what you care about and what you have to offer the school community. Skills and expertise in almost any area are worth sharing if you think they say something important about who you are. </p>
<p>Neighbor’s son is an expert woodsman - and leads his school’s outdooring club. I’d trust him with my life in the wilderness - but he was never part of a club or team or competed for ‘trophies’ in his area. An important EC? Absolutely!</p>
<p>Any sport, at any level during high school years unless there is some truly relevant reason to bring up earlier participation. As others have said, the college app gives the students to show their personal sides, interests, activities.</p>
<p>Now if you want to know what level of sports is a “hook” for competitive college admission, that level is being a recruited athlete by that college. But that’s a whole other story.</p>
<p>Thank you all. Very helpful! My son told me the nonsense. I didn’t believe b/c it doesn’t make sense. That is why I came here and am glad I did!</p>
I didn’t believe b/c it doesn’t make sense. That is why I came here and am glad I did!</p>