Hey there! I'm a high school junior planning to apply to Harvard. I've read about their varsity sports, but I wanted to hear from current or past students about their experiences on Harvard's sports teams. How competitive are tryouts? What's the time commitment like? Any advice is appreciated!
Hey! While I can't speak from personal experience, I can share some insights from students who have been involved in Harvard's varsity sports teams. Generally speaking, many of Harvard's varsity teams are quite competitive, with talented athletes from all over the country and even the world. The level of competitiveness can vary by sport, but it's safe to say you'll need to be quite skilled to make a varsity team.
Tryouts for these teams can be intense, and your success will depend on your background in the sport, your skill level, and the specific team you're aiming for. The majority of varsity teams recruit athletes during high school, so if you are already in contact with a coach and being recruited, that will give you an advantage. However, some sports have walk-on opportunities, where even if a coach hasn't reached out to you, you can still attend tryouts and attempt to make the team.
In terms of time commitment, student-athletes at Harvard commit a significant amount of time to their sport. Practices and workouts can range from 15 to 20 hours per week, sometimes even more depending on the sport and the time of the season. You'll need to make sure you can balance your academic workload with the extensive commitment required for a varsity sport, but many student-athletes find ways to successfully juggle these responsibilities.
As for advice, it's essential to build and maintain a strong relationship with the coach of the team you're interested in. Be proactive in reaching out to them and express your interest in joining the team. They can provide valuable guidance on the expectations and tryout process. Additionally, work on your athletic skills and conditioning to ensure you're prepared for the physical rigor of varsity sports at Harvard. Lastly, develop strong time management skills, as balancing academics and athletics can be challenging.
Feel free to reach out if you have other questions about life at Harvard or the application process. Good luck with your plans!
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