How Sports Can Help You Get Into a Top School

Colleges want to admit the best students from the pool of candidates who apply. Students who are curious and high energy often thrive in a strong learning environment.  Competent people put in the effort and succeed at understanding complex material. Responsible and mature people have the focus and resilience to do well in college. Sports demonstrates each of these qualities! So let's take a closer look at how sports can help you get into a top school.

Talented athletes often have these notable characteristics, so can easily translate their sports skills to college. If you also have high academic goals, often you can find the right fit for both academics and athletics at a great school. To prepare, build your school and sports skills throughout your time in high school.

It's important to know that every Ivy League school has an athletics program (but they do not offer sports scholarships). Smart students like sports too. College sports generate money for the school as well as build school spirit. So college admissions counselors look to ensure that each team has enough players.

In fact, athletic males are four times as likely to be admitted to an Ivy league school than non-athletics males. Female athletes have an even higher acceptance rate. The time and effort you put into your sport can help you through college.

Balancing rigorous coursework and a sport can be a challenge. But there is a link between the quality of the athletics program and the quality of the academics. When you apply, admissions counselors often look for the quality you bring to the school as well as various abilities. In addition, most athletes develop skills that are great for college. These include the following:

1. Ability to set priorities and balance their time
2. Commit to tasks readily
3. Connect to friend groups quickly
4. Excel at teamwork
5. Maintain good health which lowers stress and homesickness

However, Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships so the advantage of playing a sport is the opportunity to attend the school. If money for college is the primary reason for playing a sport, you should look at schools that do offer athletic scholarships.

Most talented athletes begin developing their skills at an early age so continuing to build skills and talents throughout high school is a great idea.  If you're interested in using your sports experience to help you get into a top school, you can start now. Empowerly  can help you in coordinating your skills with the right school.