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My son is applying ED to an Ivy and is also interested in several other schools that are similar in "atmosphere" to the one where he's applying ED. (He is an extrovert and an athlete, so we are talking Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, Williams, Amherst, etc.) Here's my question: he would like to play on a varsity sports team and also sing in an a capella choir. In high school it has basically been impossible to do both. The sports program owns you after school. This has been a source of great frustration. Is it realistic for him to believe that he can play a varsity sport and sing at all of the schools he's applying to? Would it be easier at a LAC? Both activities seem to involve travel, etc. Please advise. Thanks.

By Roger (Roger) on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 10:32 pm: Edit

Division I varsity sports are fairly demanding, even at elite schools. While there is a greater accommodation of other activities (like attending classes and studying!) than, say, in a typical top-10 football program, meshing with another demanding EC that involves travel, rehearsals, etc. might be tough. On the plus side, my guess is that these schools have multiple a capella groups. Presumably, your son can find one with a compatible schedule or one with sufficient flexibility to let him play his sport. This might be something to ask about during campus visits - both the demands of the team in question (this will no doubt vary for different sports and different schools) and the selection of a capella groups. Good luck!

By hopingtohelp on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 11:40 pm: Edit

Roger, thanks. As you suggest,he says he'd be happy in a singing group that met once a week just to rehearse for the occasional performance (and some recreational activities!). I trust he can find a way to work this out.

By Roger (Roger) on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 05:31 pm: Edit

One Ivy I visited said that they had 15 different a capella groups. I don't recall which one it was, but I suspect there will be a range of options at your son's target schools.

By Dadster on Sunday, October 21, 2001 - 07:09 pm: Edit

Depeinding on his interests or skill levels, one other option might be to de-emphasize the athletics and opt for intramural competition. At most schools, IM sports can be pretty serious at for the top contenders. At the same time, they don't require the time commitment of a Div I varsity sport.