Is martial arts a good extra curricular in the eyes of admissions officers?

[Anonymous]

My dc has been doing karate since he was 12 and is currently a black belt who still regularly trains at a nearby school. He doesn't compete (not interested) and doesn't have any awards. He just does it for enjoyment. I'm wondering how this looks to admissions officers. Would they be glad to see that he has pursued something for years and been consistent and attained a high skill? Or is it basically worthless without awards and competitions attached?

[Anonymous]

It’s like varsity sports but without the leadership position. He can probably do something like teaching underresourced kids karate.

Great for personal growth. Not much weight in college process.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if it made a difference in admissions but martial arts certainly helped my DS thrive in other ways that made him a happier kid and therefore a better student and therefore a more competitive applicant.

[Anonymous]

If he is from demographics that normally don't choose to do karate, it might count more. Otherwise, it's still good but not a "white cornerback" case.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but needs to be at least black belt 4th Dan

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s useful at most colleges unless they have a martial arts club/team. Think about it this way — how will your son use his years of martial arts to contribute to his college community? If he can answer that, he might have something. My kid did not put it down on college apps.

[Anonymous]

Ya! Ya!

[Anonymous]

Can list as a hobby. Do it if kid wants not just to do it for applying to colleges

[Anonymous]

I think anything can be a net positive if your kid can make a case for how it impacted him. Discipline, confidence, respect, etc.

[Anonymous]

If it’s good for him then it’s good for college. However I know a kid who wrote their hyp essay about what it meant and was accepted.

This is not about picking things you
Think admissions will like it’s about explaining why the things you like matter

[Anonymous]

Absolutely worthless if he isn't competing.

And a black belt also means nothing in this country. Most places you pay enough money and everyone can get one.

[Anonymous]

Nearly every EC is just that - extra.

The AO will likely end a sentence with ".... and he also does martial arts.";

If your kid says they play the Tuba and wont in college; it's just the same category.

If your kid plays tennis and wont in college; Still the same category.

Only thing that will move the needle - you are a martial artist that will compete in an International level event like: Olympics Judo.

Lean towards - how does it help us?

[Anonymous]

No, everyone knows that all the thousands of AOs only like activities that aren't martial arts.

Come on. Let your kid do the stuff that interests them. AOs want to see commitments and involvement.

[Anonymous]

Yes; very worthwhile

[Anonymous]

Depends upon how this activity is presented by the applicant and received by any particular AO.

Some may think that it will enhance the community,while other AOs might view it as a negative or as a non-factor.