Quitting a varsity sport

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Oh and my GPA is fine right now but it could definitely go up
 
Many people do activities and don't continue them. Really don't worry about how stopping the sport would make you look. I think adcoms will be impressed that you played a varsity sport in the first place. They know that people don't have time for everything, and they don't expect you to be superhuman and make time for your sport, volunteering, researching, school, organizations, and having a life. You do need to get some volunteer time in before you apply and also shadow some doctors in the clinic or hospital. Research isn't required, but it won't hurt you. So if you are fine with quitting the team to get that extra stuff in, I'd go with that.
 
I don't think it would be viewed as "quitting", but rather as moving on to do what you need to do to advance your career goals.

You've already done it for a few years, so I just don't see how any med school can view this any other way besides you trying to make time for other academic pursuits, UNLESS you just got kicked off or quit and then totally slacked off this next year..... but it sounds like there are some other things (research, volunteering) that you'd like to make time for so I wouldn't worry. The previous years definitely won't be tossed aside by an adcom just because you decided to change your priorities.

I think varsity sports is a great thing to put on your app. For the most part people realize the time commitment involved in that sort of thing and if you've been able to do well academically it just adds to your strengths.

I also wouldn't discount getting a good letter of rec from your coach just because you're deciding to leave. Unless you just surprised him by walking off one day I'd hope he'd be supportive of your other goals and still offer his support by way of a letter.

Good luck with it!
 
Thank you so much for the advice so far.

Another thing about the letter, the coach is kind of an unpredictable person, somewhat moody and could possibly hold a grudge against people who quit. So I'm wondering: how important is a rec letter from the coach? Especially if I can talk a lot about the sport myself. Also, if he's not completely understanding and I have no idea if the letter will be good, shouldn't I not take the risk of using it anyway?

Thanks.
 
I've never heard that any med school applicant was asked for a letter from their coach. The time you've spent on the team is more than enough to show dedication to your sport, teamwork, and leadership. Moving on to other priorities that further your future goals shows good time management and mature decision making. Doing research and clinical volunteering will help your take the next educational step. Another year on the team will make no difference in the process at all.
 
student113 said:
I am a year way from applying, and as I plan out this last year in school, I'm thinking of quitting the varsity sport I've been in since freshmen year. I have plenty of jobs and research/volunteer stuff lined up, so the 25-30 hours a week I'd save would all go toward that.

I guess the problem is I suck at quitting, in fact I don't think I've ever stopped an activity before I graduated out of that particular school. My questions are, if I stop and use the last year to really get into research and volunteering, would that be regarded as a mature decision or look like simply quitting?
Also, I've had some awesome experiences and leadership roles on the team, so would the years I've been doing it still be a good asset to my application (I'll definitely write about it) or will it be somewhat discredited because I quit?

Oh and this might mean I won't get a letter of rec from the coach, would that be important? Of course I'll have 2 good letters from MD professors instead.

I'm just wondering how this decision would look, maybe from people who've done it or know about it. I would be equally happy staying on the team or doing research, so that's not a factor, but absolutely no time to do everything.

Thanks for your input.
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The fact that you are moving on with your life doens't discredit the things youve already accomplished. Definitely discuss any influence your varsity sport has had on your life. If someone asks you why you quit, tell them the honest truth. No one will judge you for it. I played a varsity sport too and I ended up quitting. I talked about my experiences often throught the app process....9 times out of 10 when someone asked me about they were focused on what i gained WHILE i was on the time. The one time I was actually asked why i quit, i told them my reasons and the discussion continued smoothly on. Dont sweat it.
 
if you feel like quitting, then go for it. and if They ever bring it up, just tell'em you got injured and don't want to risk further injury.
 
I did the exact same thing. Literally. I played three years on a varsity NCAA team and was team captain my Jr year (on an athletic scholarship). I quit last May and this year, my sr year, I worked and shadowed. It has not been a big deal in any of my interviews. You don't need to highlight the fact that you quit either- don't lie and say you are still playing, but don't harp on "I quit I quit I quit!" If you have any questions PM me.
 
Not to mention I think the letter of rec from a coach is a bad idea. It's unconventional, like getting a letter from a family friend or a part-time job boss. I would limit LOR's to profs and MDs.
 
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imer said:
Okay that's just made-up because you really have no idea. I used my coach for a LOR very successfully this past season - how would you know the value to an admin? BTW being a 2-time NCAA All American also didn"t hurt in the interviews.
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Because I asked an admin. I am sure a good LOR from an intelligent coach is very valuable, but I was making a generalization. What sport did you play?
 
I don't think quitting your sport will hurt you significantly. But making it through 4 years as a varsity athlete while being able to take on shadowing, research, volunteering, ect. would def impress adcoms. I was a 4 year varsity athlete and 3 year captain, and I was surprised how favorly adcoms looked on that. If you plan to use your athletic experience as an example of your dedication and leadership, I wouldn't quit. Forget the research, and shadow during the summer, or just once a week for a few hours. I considered quitting also, but I am so glad I played my senior year. I think you'll regret it if you put so much time and effort into your team and sport to leave your last year.
 
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imer said:
spellie11 - agreed, senior year would normally be a tough one to take a pass on. But if the OP has lost the passion maybe it is timeto move on.

HrryUpNwait - seriously, you have to ask? Also I have read lots of well thought out comments since I started looking at sdn, and lots of completely off base stuff. This wild assertion trashing any coach's LOR's is in my top ten most misguided - could even be top 5, wtf?
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I am telling you that an admin I know said "Generally stick to profs and docs, not coaches, staff members, bosses, and friends." Obviously there are exceptions and maybe this admins entire statement is an exception among selection committees. Something this subjective is hard to call misguided when I say that there are exceptions. But hey, lesson learned- imer knows all about the app process and no one else could possibly be right about something. And I was asking what sport because I was curious/interested/friendly- sorry?
 
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spellie11 said:
If you plan to use your athletic experience as an example of your dedication and leadership, I wouldn't quit.
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Thanks everyone, I feel much better about the decision.

Yeah it's definitely hard to leave, but it also feels right because I reached a place where I feel like it's time to change directions. Which is why staying with the team at the expense of getting more clinical/medical exposure (I don't know what you mean by "forget research") feels off and, in terms of showing dedication, I feel more dedicated to preparing myself for the career than having my last year on the team and I don't see how that could be bad.

As far as leadership experiences, and even dedication to the team, I was thinking and happily assured by the other posts that the successfully completed seasons shouldn't be discounted by a decision to leave that is pertinent to career choices.
 
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Let me jump on in and ask too...what sport did/do you play? (I don't care about which school you went to but are you Div I, II or III?). I can't see a true athlete quitting their sport...they're too in love with it. Are you a starter? Were you any good? 😀 If even thought about quitting my sport my coach/teammates would try to kill me. But then again, I love my sport so that would never cross my mind.

A lot of college athletes get into medical school without quitting their sport; you can too! Enjoy your sleepless nights due to all of the things you have to finish...I did.
 
SportsJunkie25 said:
Let me jump on in and ask too...what sport did/do you play? (I don't care about which school you went to but are you Div I, II or III?). I can't see a true athlete quitting their sport...they're too in love with it. Are you a starter? Were you any good? 😀 If even thought about quitting my sport my coach/teammates would try to kill me. But then again, I love my sport so that would never cross my mind.

A lot of college athletes get into medical school without quitting their sport; you can too! Enjoy your sleepless nights due to all of the things you have to finish...I did.
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I agree, doing a sport in college is the best decision, but by far most difficult i have ever made (What sport are you in SportsJunkie?)
I am in D1 Track... im really going to miss it when it is done, but what 30 extra hours plus travel will do for my week is exciting.... haha
 
SportsJunkie25 said:
Let me jump on in and ask too...what sport did/do you play? (I don't care about which school you went to but are you Div I, II or III?). I can't see a true athlete quitting their sport...they're too in love with it. Are you a starter? Were you any good? 😀 If even thought about quitting my sport my coach/teammates would try to kill me. But then again, I love my sport so that would never cross my mind.

A lot of college athletes get into medical school without quitting their sport; you can too! Enjoy your sleepless nights due to all of the things you have to finish...I did.
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I like your point, but I think if you have played a big time D1 sport you would know it's no longer about "the love of the game". I love my sport, always will, but it was bigger than that. I was a three year starter and team captain, but when your team is losing and it doesn't look good and transferring is not an option then giving up the full-time job for medical reasons isn't such a gutless idea.
 
brenster99 said:
I agree, doing a sport in college is the best decision, but by far most difficult i have ever made (What sport are you in SportsJunkie?)
I am in D1 Track... im really going to miss it when it is done, but what 30 extra hours plus travel will do for my week is exciting.... haha
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Basketball (Fwd/Center). I ran track in H.S. (lol)...what event do you run? I ran the 100m (<--Yes...at my 'center' height lol) and 200m dash/relays.

HrryUpNwait said:
I like your point, but I think if you have played a big time D1 sport you would know it's no longer about "the love of the game". I love my sport, always will, but it was bigger than that. I was a three year starter and team captain, but when your team is losing and it doesn't look good and transferring is not an option then giving up the full-time job for medical reasons isn't such a gutless idea.
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Very, very true. That's why I (and other posters as well) want to know which sport (and Div) the original OP played. I agree, it's a waste of time to put all of that effort into a losing team but did he/she not know that before they went there? Is he/she a scholarship athlete or a walk-in? All of that plays a factor in whether to keep playing I guess...
 
SportsJunkie25 said:
Basketball (Fwd/Center). I ran track in H.S. (lol)...what event do you run? I ran the 100m (<--Yes...at my 'center' height lol) and 200m dash/relays.



Very, very true. That's why I (and other posters as well) want to know which sport (and Div) the original OP played. I agree, it's a waste of time to put all of that effort into a losing team but did he/she not know that before they went there? Is he/she a scholarship athlete or a walk-in? All of that plays a factor in whether to keep playing I guess...
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I agree. I was on scholarship, not a walk-on, and I signed to play for a team that was 16-12 when I was a senior in HS and we became a losing program when I got there.
 
I understand the curiosity. But please understand that as I'm still trying to finalize the decision and a lot of people from my school are apparently on this forum, I prefer to be as anonymous as possible. As for the nature of my role, yes I'm a starter, not on scholarship.

putting everything in perspective, it doesn't feel worth it anymore, especially if I look at what experiences I'm sacrificing. I would never quit in the middle of the season, but just considering not coming back for the last year. so I guess the decision is pretty obvious from here, I mainly wanted to know whether or not the decision will be perceived negatively, whether my decision to invest my time in another direction will be misconstrued as quitting/lack of perseverence.
 
HrryUpNwait said:
I agree. I was on scholarship, not a walk-on, and I signed to play for a team that was 16-12 when I was a senior in HS and we became a losing program when I got there.
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Oh no! You didn't bring your A-game?? :scared: Jk. I couldn't resist. You kind of set yourself up for that one. But, it's just a little athlete-to-athlete humor...😀
 
student113 said:
I understand the curiosity. But please understand that as I'm still trying to finalize the decision and a lot of people from my school are apparently on this forum, I prefer to be as anonymous as possible. As for the nature of my role, yes I'm a starter, not on scholarship.

putting everything in perspective, it doesn't feel worth it anymore, especially if I look at what experiences I'm sacrificing. I would never quit in the middle of the season, but just considering not coming back for the last year. so I guess the decision is pretty obvious from here, I mainly wanted to know whether or not the decision will be perceived negatively, whether my decision to invest my time in another direction will be misconstrued as quitting/lack of perseverence.
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It won't be viewed negatively, IMO. You didn't quit mid-season, you opted not to return. Did Michael Jordan quit? No, he retired. You're doing the same.

SportsJunkie25 said:
Oh no! You didn't bring your A-game?? :scared: Jk. I couldn't resist. You kind of set yourself up for that one. But, it's just a little athlete-to-athlete humor...😀
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I was top 5 in the conference in points, unfortunately the rest of my team was not (they were top 5 in boozing though).
 
HrryUpNwait said:
I was top 5 in the conference in points, unfortunately the rest of my team was not (they were top 5 in boozing though).
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Darn boozers! What sport did you play? (<--if you don't want to answer on the forum, just shoot me a PM...I'm just curious.)

I don't think you can compare the OP to MJ. MJ ended up in the pros being the best bball player...ever; he paid his dues...it was time for him to retire. But, I agree, if the OP is wasting his time playing a sport, I guess he should move on? The adcoms will ask him why he didn't finish his senior year and if he has a good answer, I assume it won't be a problem.

OP- Are you quitting b/c there is something wrong w/ the team (i.e. you feel like you're wasting your time making an effort to play)? Quitting b/c you want more time to prepare for your career? (<--if so, does anyone think he'll be viewed as not being able to "handle the pressure"???) Quitting b/c you're not interested in the sport anymore?
 
OP, I played varsity soccer for 4 years in college and kept my gpa above a 3.8 with a biochemistry major. But I did not have time to volunteer or obain an acceptable amount of clinical experience. So after I graduated from college, I spent one year getting this experience while working construction for money, and then I applied to med school the second year following my college graduation. I just could not do it all in college so I delayed my application to med school to fill in the holes in my application.

If you do not want to do this, delay your med school application, then I can certainly understand why you would forgo athletics your senior year. Personally, I don't think that it will hurt your application...it shows you are willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal of getting to med school, your top priority.

Good luck. Oh, and actually I enjoyed my two year hiatus from academics. It refreshed me and I started med school ready to jump back into the fray with enthusiam. But to each his own, it is a very individual decision. My experience in athletics was a big plus on my application as it will be on yours.
 
SportsJunkie25 said:
Darn boozers! What sport did you play? (<--if you don't want to answer on the forum, just shoot me a PM...I'm just curious.)

I don't think you can compare the OP to MJ. MJ ended up in the pros being the best bball player...ever; he paid his dues...it was time for him to retire. But, I agree, if the OP is wasting his time playing a sport, I guess he should move on? The adcoms will ask him why he didn't finish his senior year and if he has a good answer, I assume it won't be a problem.

OP- Are you quitting b/c there is something wrong w/ the team (i.e. you feel like you're wasting your time making an effort to play)? Quitting b/c you want more time to prepare for your career? (<--if so, does anyone think he'll be viewed as not being able to "handle the pressure"???) Quitting b/c you're not interested in the sport anymore?
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I know he's not MJ. I am saying there is a difference between quitting and walking away. The interviewers I have had don't seem to care about not playing a 4th yr- almost like why would they say "you shadowed fr, soph and sr yr, why not jr?" One missing year seems to not bother them I guess....
 
searun said:
OP, I played varsity soccer for 4 years in college and kept my gpa above a 3.8 with a biochemistry major. But I did not have time to volunteer or obtain an acceptable amount of clinical experience. So after I graduated from college, I spent one year getting this experience while working construction for money, and then I applied to med school the second year following my college graduation. I just could not do it all in college so I delayed my application to med school to fill in the holes in my application.
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That's exactly what I did. A year off to do the above is the best kept secret.
 
SportsJunkie25 said:
That's exactly what I did. A year off to do the above is the best kept secret.
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You guys hit the nail on the head, that's exactly what I realized would be my alternative and I decided I want to only have one gap year (while I apply) instead of two (one year to gain experience and another year to apply).
Also (and what makes this the best timing), this summer I have a volunteer position, two research gigs and a possible hospital job lined up, all with great potential to continue, so I'm choosing to shift gears to continue with all those. It's true i can't do all that and continue with the sport, I calculated it and there mathematically aren't enough hours in the day, let alone whole chunks of hours. I personally don't think it'll be a "handle the pressure" thing, since it's a logistical impossibility.
I really admire you guys who loved it enough to see it through. But yes to each his own.
 
SportsJunkie25 said:
That's exactly what I did. A year off to do the above is the best kept secret.
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This is what I'm doing. I was a 4-year D1 swimmer and I think there is something to be said for athletes that can complete all four years of eligibility while keeping decent grades (whether adcoms realize this or not I don't know). But you're right, there are not enough hours in the week to compete, train, study, volunteer, shadow, and sleep so a year off is almost essential. As a personal decision, I wouldn't have traded my senior experience to start med school one year earlier but that's just me. I don't think that giving it up it will be viewed negatively though. Also, I had my coach write one of my letters, I figured he knows me better than any of my professors so we'll see how that works out.
 
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