Right now I am in 11th grade taking calc 3 and a physics class at the University of Florida (everything else is pretty standard: AP’s, honors, etc…). My GPA is 4.4, my SAT score is 1550, and my SAT subject test scores are 800, 780, 780, and 760. I have always been interested in math and science so I have not taken any electives like band, PE, theater, etc… and I have not played a sport. Will this hurt my chances of getting into a top tier college? I am currently president of my schools math team, and chess club.
No, it will not affect your chances. Colleges need students of varying interests to build their communities and their reputations. If you are not athletically or musically inclined, be yourself. Take those math skills as far as you can and don’t look back!
Sidebar… PE is an elective?? It’s a 4 year requirement in our state. Is that not the case elsewhere?
Thank you guys so much, my friends have been telling me that I am screwed for getting into my dream schools. This gives me hope. Also, @eb23282 my high school gives an exemption for some required classes if you are getting the AICE diploma (which I am).
As a practical matter, smaller colleges with full sets of sports teams need lots of athletes (some recruited, others with potential to walk on) to fill their teams, which make up a much larger percentage of the students than at large colleges. Obviously, playing a sport of interest at the recruitable level is highly advantageous. Playing something that suggests potential to walk on could be worth something over other extracurriculars.
@eb23282 4 years of PE is definitely not required by all the States! I am always reminded of this when I read here and wonder how some of these students are taking so many academic classes each year. For those students who have PE a required course period for 4 years, it’s a hindrance. Some schools can give an exemption for students who are in extracurricular sports but many schools do NOT. PE is required. Every semester throughout HS. But a lot of the USA is not like this.
OP - congrats on outstanding grades and scores. You should be fine, especially if you are involved in activities that you enjoy (math team, chess club - perhaps shoot for leadership spots in those if that’s an interest).
It’s crazy today to think a student of your caliber should feel less than outstanding because you don’t play sports or an instrument. Some schools may look for a more well rounded candidate, bu many will see your STEM passion and want that on campus.
No. In fact, playing a sport, but not at a level of a recruited athlete is often just another EC. Chess is considered a sport, by the way.
I know many many non sport, non music playing kids who got into HPY et al. As well as many other selective schools. Colleges do like to see strong EC activity that shows leadership and other things not as easily seen in academics. It gives a better picture of the applicant in the holistic process we are increasingly seeing.
My son’s very close friend from way back in elementary school did zero sports other than the min mandatory PE. He plays no musical instrument whatsoever. Got into Harvard.
Nothing particularly special about athletics or music as an EC, unless you are a recruited athlete (or an incredibly gifted musician). For the top schools EC’s are important. Do you do anything as an EC outside of the math team and chess club? How much time do the math team and chess team take and what are your accomplishments? Do you do anything in the nature of community service, work, or provide home care to parents or siblings? Being “pointy” is fine, but the top schools are looking for applicants that stretch themselves beyond school and test scores.
In our district, 1 unit of PE and 1 unit of fine arts are required. Athletic teams, band, orchestra, choir are all graded but unweighted classes. Consequently if you are a “music” person or an athlete, your chances of earning Val or Sal are pretty much 0. It’s interesting to see how some kids/families game this. There is state scholarship money for Val, so it is important to many families.
My kids’ schools all had PE requirements. One did allow a pass if actively in a school sport that term. The other didn’t care. Most of the students did participate in sports, AND they all had to take PE. No exceptions
Of course top colleges want to see the right, rigorous rounding. That’s in academics as well as ECs. If you want to aim high, where’d this notion come from, that it has to be sports or music? Doesn’t sound like you’re looking at what your target colleges say about stretch and balance, plus showing a willingness to try new things. And valid comm service.
How much do you know about what top colleges expect? None of them ask for unilateral or tell you to just lean back and do what you feel like. You’ll face stiff competition from kids who did more.