Reply to Which sports should I focus on for my kids in early elementary if I want them to get into a "Big 3"

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[quote=Anonymous]I agree on the football comment -- big-3 schools are definitely looking for boys, middle school and up, who can and want to play football.  Football in the privates is not nearly as rough and tumble as it is in public schools, by the way.  There are some amazing flag football leagues in the area for younger kids.

I disagree with the poster who said big-3 schools don't think about applicants and their sports until upper school.  Middle school is where it starts, without question.

Schools like to see applicants with passion about something -- sports, music, arts, robotics, writing code, etc.  An incoming kid who loves a sport and is good at it and can't stop talking about it -- schools like that.  Kids passionate about one thing are more likely to be devoted to or passionate about other things; plus, those kids understand the feeling of being passionate and the devotion and hard work that comes with it.

Finally, all the big 3 or 5 schools like to have kids play multiple sports (and some require it, at least in some grades).  Thus, having an applicant who at least has team experience in 2 or 3 of the sports the school has teams in will be a plus.  Look at the listing of sports at schools you're interested in.  Some have a surprising variety.  All I think have soccer, cross-country, baseball (boys), volleyball (girls), swimming.  Most have lacrosse and football for boys too.  A few have crew (e.g., St. Albans), squash (e.g., Potomac), golf (e.g., Maret), and water polo (e.g., Landon).

For now, I'd say expose your child to athletics and show them that it's a regular part of the family's life too -- mom and dad and siblings.  If they're still elementary school age, go ahead and sign them up for sports teams without asking them in advance.  Hopefully on a team they have a friend or two.  Year-round too.  Fall soccer; spring baseball or lacrosse. Winter swimming lessons or basketball league, with some skiing too.  Summer sports camps too.  Good luck.[/quote]

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