I’ve come to the point that student athletes really do get the advantage of getting eyed by colleges more. What sports do you think your college craves? Have any experience as a student athlete (for any sport, really)? If so, any advice? Also, does it help if you stick to a sport for 4 yrs or is it bad you start your 10th grade year (its the last season of the school year).
It’s not bad if you’re not in it all 4 years. As long as they see you stick with it for multiple years. I’d generally say the more popular the sport, the better it looks. Generally speaking, it’s harder to get more playing time in a more popular sport like basketball or football, than a sport not many play like lacrosse.
don’t choose a sport based on what you think colleges will like best, choose a sport that you think looks fun and you will enjoy.
Football, it generates revenue.
Whatever you do, do not play lacrosse. Lacrosse is for the rich racist white kids who are not good enough for baseball
Don’t play a sport for college admissions. Period. Only play it if you enjoy it. FYI: It’s a total myth that you have to play a sport to get into a good college.
Unless you are playing sports at a Varsity level in college (NCAA, NAIA, etc.) colleges view sports as just another EC. Since it does not sound as if you are going to be a recruited athlete, playing a sport at this point won’t benefit you as far as college admissions. Only play a sport if you enjoy it. If you are only doing it to look good on college apps, you are better off finding an EC that you really enjoy and stick with it.
@MNballer19 “Invented by Native Americans, lacrosse is considered by many to be North America’s first sport, but its rich history is unfamiliar to many sports fans today.” Native Americans probably didn’t know they would one day be categorized as “rich racist white kids”.
@MissSuzyQ I’m with the idea that if my academics wont get me far enough, and I always see articles on high schoolers getting ‘drafted’ by prestigious colleges because they played a sport. I’m pretty convinced that sports can help a long way. Thoughts?
My daughter plays lacrosse and we are far from rich. She’s also Chinese.
They can help. You need to be pretty good, and you need to be open to all levels of sports at different schools. Each coach wants his sport to be the best, so it is impossible to say ‘go with swimming, that will get you an acceptance at D3 schools because they really like swimming.’
I’ve heard rowing is a sought after one.
@wydlife I’m not necessarily insulting your athletic ability, but the people that get recruited to prestigious universities have been playing their sports for many years. These are the people you would need to beat. To answer the question, I think rowing (and maybe bowling?) are what you are looking for… and you would need to put in a lot of time both in season and out of season in order to catch up with other people. Overall I don’t recommend it, but it’s your decision.
Yes, you can be recruited as an athlete, but you have to be very very good at your sport to get recruited. Usually that is after years of playing/practicing/competing.
@wydlife- Yes, recruited athletes may have some advantage when going through admissions to college, depending on the level (NCAAA Div. 1/2/3/ NAIA etc.) However, as others have stated, recruited athletes typically have been playing their sport for years and are ranked highly within their sport. My son started playing soccer on a casual basis when he was very young, along with several other sports. He got very serious about it at about age 12, gave up other sports, graduated to club teams, practiced 4 times per week (2 hour practices) as well as scrimmages and a lot of travel for regular league play and tournaments. He pretty much gave up all other activities though part of middle school and all of high school, including in the summers. That’s great as long as you love what you are doing and he did; if you are only doing it for college admissions, then it is a huge sacrifice for both you and your family, and for something you don’t necessarily love doing.
This has nothing to do with your athletic abilities; you may be a great athlete. However, if you are just now considering joining a sport, and you haven’t even narrowed down a sport, then it is on the very late side for recruitment as an athlete. You would have to be the best not only in your school but in your area, to even be considered as a recruit. Of course there are those few exceptions who are just naturally fantastic athletes, but it is rare. If you find a sport you really enjoy, then go ahead and play because you have fun doing so. But don’t start a sport just as an effort to bolster your college admissions.
I agree with @takeitallin.
In all honesty, if you’re trying to figure out a sport to play in college, at this point in your life, then it’s likely too late for any sport to impact your college application. Unless, you’re an extremely gifted athlete that can truly play many/any sport at a high level and quickly.
Also, the sport would depend on whether you’re a male or female.
If you think playing a sport will help you get into college, you’re doing it wrong. Most HS athletes don’t get recruited by colleges.
@sushiritto @takeitallin @bopper @csastro thank you all. Castro, no offense was taken at all, I just needed better understanding. I was overlooking the commitment when it comes to sports. I’m not sure if I’ll absolutely join a sport some time next year, but I will take in consideration of what you all have said.
To become a recruited athlete you not only have to be talented, but also have to devote many hours per week to playing, practicing, training, and traveling in a HS Varsity sport. You might be better off devoting those hours to extra studying.
But if you join a sport for excercise, team work and fun, then it will be treated like any other EC.