I am a sophomore in high school. So far, I have engaged in several extra curriculums such as rowing, photography club, student senate, and a volunteering program. Rowing requires a lot of dedication (5 practices per week for the entire school year) and I want to switch to cross country. I also have straight A’s and I am studying in order to get a strong SAT score. Rowing is a sport known to attract college acceptances because it requires a lot of dedication and hardwork. I am worried that if I quit rowing, my chances of getting into a University of California school will be torn down. I am also worried that if I quit rowing and join cross country, I will not look consistent or commited. If I quit rowing and join cross country starting my junior year, is it still likely for me to be accepted into a University of California such as UCSD, UC Davis, UCLA, or UCSB?
EC’s are only 1 part of your application and switching to Cross Country will not keep you from being accepted or cause your rejection. Do what you feel is best for you. You could always address the switch in one of your essays. My younger son switched from soccer to cross country in his Junior due his many injuries from soccer. He wrote about why he made the decision to switch, how difficult it was to try a new sport after playing soccer for 7 years and how he appreciated the challenge of his new sport of Xcountry. Good Luck.
X-C doesn’t?
Agreed with @JustOneDad… I think you’re going to realize that XC is a living hell.