New sport at high school

[Bonanza501]

My DD (11th grade) participated in track (throwing) in 9th and 10th grades but doesn’t love it and is very excited about a new mountain biking team at the school. She’s wanted to attend USMA since she was 10, and while she knows that she should be doing what she loves in high school, she also tries to look at everything she does through the lens of admissions, as well. Her concern is whether changing sports halfway through high school will reflect badly on her and if there will be an opportunity to explain that she’s taking advantage of a new program. What are your thoughts?

 

[bt18]

I think she should enjoy what she does and reflect that in her essays to admissions. Generally at least one varsity letter is what most people recommend from what I've read here on SAF.

 

[justdoit19]

What I read in your post, was ‘new’ club. Which means an opportunity to create the culture, lead her team mates, provide direction, develop plans (fundraisers, etc), make decisions about an organization. An opportunity to demonstrate LEADERSHIP. All while doing go something she enjoys.

VS throwing a rock she doesn’t want to do anymore (no disrespect to throwers...). How does she demonstrate leadership on her track team?

There’s a lot of opportunity there! For growth and essay/interview material, if she takes advantage of those opportunities in the club.

It’s important, yes, to be cognizant of a SA application. But not to the demise of enjoying your last year of high school. Making intelligent choices of course. No matter how long she has had her eye on attending a SA, it very well could be she doesn’t receive an appointment. As a mom, I believe it’s super important to not have such tunnel vision that you don’t have a good backup, and enjoy you last year with your friends you’ve grown up with.

 

[StPaulDad]

What I read in your post, was ‘new’ club. Which means an opportunity to create the culture, lead her team mates, provide direction, develop plans (fundraisers, etc), make decisions about an organization. An opportunity to demonstrate LEADERSHIP. All while doing go something she enjoys.

This, this, a thousand times this. New teams need so much to be done that the opportunities to make a difference come at you faster than you can write them down. One good definition of leadership is making a difference, regardless of your rank. So have her plunge in, take good notes and see how the titles look for senior year.

PS, one good tradition to start is naming next year's captains at this year's end of season so as to have hands on the tiller in the off season (and maybe look good on the college apps as well.) Good luck, have fun.