How High School Sports can Hinder College Applications
There is a very common realization that dawns on many families of student-athletes late in the application process. Athletics can sometimes be a ticket to great opportunities in college, but if that golden ticket doesn’t come through, there can be a significant downside. High school student-athletes can easily become so caught up in the competitive world of sports and recruiting that they can inadvertently hinder their own college application process. While playing sports is a great way to stay active and healthy, by the end of their high school journey, many athletes find themselves dedicating so much time to their individual sport that it affects their efforts in other important areas that could help improve their college application.
High school sports can be an incredibly valuable experience for many young people. They learn valuable skills like teamwork and leadership and provide an opportunity for students to develop lifelong friendships. However, there are some misconceptions about high school sports that are misleading or even harmful when it comes to applying to college.
One common false impression is that playing in high school automatically leads to a college sports career. The reality is that only a small fraction of high school athletes go on to play college sports. In fact, according to the NCAA, only 2-3% of high school athletes end up playing a sport in college, and even less than 1% receive full athletic scholarships. Parents often labor under the misconception that athletic scholarships are a surefire way to cover college tuition. While a limited number of students do receive full scholarships, in reality, the average D1 scholarship is only around $10,000, which falls far short of the full cost of attendance.
It's also important to understand that while high school sports can be a valuable experience, they are just one of many extracurricular activities open to students. When students are applying to college, admissions committees are often more interested in a student's involvement in a variety of extracurriculars. Included among these are community service, clubs, research projects, internships, and summer school classes.
Being a student-athlete in high school consumes a great deal of time and dedication. The average high school sports team requires students to spend an average of 19.6 hours per week on their sport. This includes practices, games, and traveling to and from competitions, a significant amount of time that student-athletes must balance against their academic responsibilities.
In addition, student-athletes who hope to continue their athletic career in college often have to navigate the NCAA recruitment process. This involves attending camps and showcases, contacting coaches, managing online profiles, and submitting transcripts and test scores. It can be a long and challenging process that requires planning and effort. Outside of their school-related sport activities, most student-athletes also play for competitive offseason club teams, which adds to the time and commitment required. Many play year-round, which increases the challenge to balance academics and extracurricular activities.
While high school sports provide students with numerous benefits it is important to consider the opportunity costs associated with devoting a significant amount of time to their sport. Student-athletes spend so much time practicing, traveling, and playing that little time is left for other activities that could strengthen their college applications.
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All the hard work, early mornings in the gym, and staying late after practice that a student-athlete has struggled to accomplish will get flattened by the Common App into 150 measly characters. An incredibly impressive athletic resume just doesn’t come across as impressive in such a short space.
Non-athletes have flexibility with their time and can dedicate themselves to a variety of extracurricular activities that are attractive to selective colleges. These include research projects, internships, paid work, volunteering, and participating in clubs and other organizations. They might spend the same amount of total time on their various activities as the athlete spends on their sport, but because of the structure of these applications, on paper, the athlete looks to have accomplished a lot less.
When it comes to college admissions, student-athletes need to understand it's not just about their athletic abilities. Selective colleges and universities look for a diverse range of activities and experiences in their applicants. They want students who are perceived as well-rounded individuals, committed to multiple interests that have made an impact beyond the athletic field. In other words, they are seeking students who have taken advantage of all the opportunities presented to them, including summer classes, internships, research, community service, clubs, and extracurricular activities. By demonstrating involvement in various areas, students show that they are capable of managing their time and energy efficiently, adapting to new challenges, and contributing to their communities. These qualities are highly valued by admissions officers and can make a significant difference in the final admission decision.
So what should you do?
It's important for student-athletes to recognize their goals as early as possible. Are they striving to attend a top college where playing a sport would be a nice bonus? Or are they dedicated to playing their sport wherever they can find the best situation? Once they have a clearer understanding of their goals, they can make a plan for the direction of their high school career.
A student-athlete looking to play their sport wherever they can find the best situation may have more leeway in how they spend their time. While maintaining good grades and being involved in extracurricular activities is important, their main focus should be on performing their sport to the top of their ability in front of as many coaches as possible.
Student-athletes with an eye on the more selective colleges must maximize their offseason and pursue as many community service, internships, and opportunities as possible. This will not only help them stand out to admissions officers but also allow them to develop valuable skills they can apply to their future careers. Additionally, it might be advantageous to take at least part of the year off from their sport to maximize their time. This can be especially useful in the summer when they can take classes or dedicate their time to other activities.
It's also important for student-athletes to take rigorous classes and get good grades. Admissions officers want evidence that a student is capable of handling challenging coursework, especially if they plan on attending a top college. In addition to strong grades, taking the SAT or ACT and scoring well will boost their application. Some of this extra time should be used to study, either on their own or by taking test prep courses.
High school sports provide numerous benefits such as building teamwork skills, improving physical health, and fostering discipline and determination. However, it is important for student-athletes and their families to recognize the costs of dedicating too much time to their sport, especially when applying to selective colleges. Every year, there are numerous student-athletes who receive offers to play their sport in college and receive the financial admissions bump that comes with it. But for the students who miss that threshold, the consequences of misunderstanding the importance of non-athletic endeavors can be large. Colleges are also looking for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated leadership, curiosity, and a desire to contribute to their communities. Therefore, it is crucial for student-athletes to find a balance between their commitment to sports and other activities that can enhance their college applications. By participating in summer classes, internships, community service, and other extracurricular activities, high school students can showcase their versatility and demonstrate that they are ready for the challenges and opportunities of higher education. High school sports can be an invaluable part of a student's life, but they need to be aware of the potential downside of spending an inordinate amount of time on one pursuit.
