Advice for Student-Athlete

[BiggiePow]

Hello all. I have made it through my first semester as a D3 football player and pre-med student. However, I tore my ACL half-way into the season and red-shirted. Although I have a 4.0, I took a lighter work load (16 credits, but with a psych of disabilities course and a band and a "humanics" seminar for 1 cred each). Next semester I will take 18 credits: bio II, gen chem II, calc II (got cred for calc I), english, wellness, and band. The problem I am having is whether to continue football - my ACL reconstruction has really set me back. But, how bad would quitting look on my application? I play it because I love the game, but I want to have the best chances when I apply. Any advice? Also, is it bad I take on a "lighter" load during the season? If I play next year I will not do this as I have orgo, physics I or genetics, and a&p plus general requirement classes. One final concern of mine is how much am I disadvantaged by attending Springfield College, opposed to the big, respected universities? Thank you!

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[tripwm]

Quit if it's jeopardizing your dream, or you don't want to do it anymore.

I was a pseudo-Olympic Training Center resident/professional triathlete, and I quit FR year after a horrid knee surgery recovery. A friend of mine played basketball at Wash U and quit after his FR year (he's gotten many more interviews/acceptances than me).

In my PS and interviews, I talked about how I had dreamed about becoming an Olympian and a doctor. However, the time required to achieve both simultaneously became unrealistic for me, and I chose the dream I wanted more: medicine. I kept racing triathlons, but I raced as an amateur and entered the Ironman series to maintain contact with the sport I loved.

Now, I've gotten a few interviews, and I've been accepted into a top 30 PC school. Don't second guess yourself.

 

[BiggiePow]

Injuries are tough, especially when recovery goes wrong. I stubbornly believe I can achieve both of my dreams as well, though my athletic dream seems small compared to yours. But I'm glad to know schools don't look down on one year athletic careers.

 

[Silverfalcon]

Seriously, medical schools won't care if you are the star quarterback or a bench warmer. It's one line in AMCAS, so do it if you want to, but don't ask "should I do it for medical school."

 

[BiggiePow]

Seriously, medical schools won't care if you are the star quarterback or a bench warmer. It's one line in AMCAS, so do it if you want to, but don't ask "should I do it for medical school."

But, wouldn't football be a big part of leadership experience to medical schools and contribute to my "character".

 

[BiggiePow]

I don't have any better ideas for leadership, besides having a position in our "pre-med club" (which is not very impressive).

 

[OCPSL]

But, wouldn't football be a big part of leadership experience to medical schools and contribute to my "character".

I think it would definitely contribute to your application if you decide to stay with it. However, most medical schools I know value academics heavily over non-academic activities. It all depends on what you think you can handle . Good luck

 

[Catalystik]

But, wouldn't football be a big part of leadership experience to medical schools and contribute to my "character".

Unless you are the team captain, you probably wouldn't list your athletic involvement under Leadership. It fits better under Intercollegiate Sports. The characteristics implied by your involvement would be capability for teamwork, dedication, able to act outside of one's own self interest for a greater cause, hardworking, etc. If you are unable to continue with your sport, there are other ways of demonstrating these desirable traits.

 

[BiggiePow]

Unless you are the team captain, you probably wouldn't list your athletic involvement under Leadership. It fits better under Intercollegiate Sports. The characteristics implied by your involvement would be capability for teamwork, dedication, able to act outside of one's own self interest for a greater cause, hardworking, etc. If you are unable to continue with your sport, there are other ways of demonstrating these desirable traits.

What would you recommend?

 

[Catalystik]

What would you recommend?

That you read these forums widely and get some inspiration from what others have done. Then be creative and come up with your own ideas. Uniqueness gets extra points.

 

[Danlee07]

it's d3 football, so unless you're at a good size for your position & ripping it up as a starter, there isn't much of a chance for pros. there was 4 d3 people who got invited to the combine, but their stats were ridiculous. this is my last track season in d1 in track but not fast enough to go pro for a consistent $ career, maybe a side thing, but then with medicine as my goal...that's not gonna happen. it's hard to strap it up but i will and hunker down on the books.

you can always use it to spin it into teamwork. I would use mine for perseverance or along those lines.