How do colleges view cheerleading when it comes to scholarships?

I've been a part of my school's competitive cheer team for years and I'm starting to look into colleges. Does anyone know how cheerleading is viewed by admissions or for scholarships? Do many schools offer scholarships specifically for cheerleaders or consider it a strong EC?

Hey there! I totally understand where you're coming from – my child was also involved in competitive cheer through high school. From what we found out during our own college search, cheerleading is considered a strong extracurricular by many admissions offices because it demonstrates team spirit, leadership, and commitment. My child didn't end up pursuing cheer in college, but we did discover that some schools indeed offer scholarships for cheerleading as part of their athletic programs. Just like other sports, cheer scholarships will often depend on the school's division and how competitive their program is.

I'd recommend checking out the websites of colleges you're interested in and reaching out directly to their cheer coaches for the most accurate info on scholarships – they can give you the lowdown on tryouts and what they're looking for. Also, look for scholarship opportunities outside of college programs as well. There are organizations and competitions that offer scholarships to cheerleaders for their achievements. And don't forget, even if a school doesn't offer a cheer-specific scholarship, being a competitive cheerleader can still set you apart and could play a part in merit-based awards. Best of luck, and keep that school spirit going!