My high school has seen quite a few of its graduates make it big in the MLB and NFL, especially in quarterback positions. While I'm not an athlete, I wonder if the success of these alumni might sway college admissions in any way. Thoughts?
Success of high school alumni particularly in the field of sports, while it can potentially elevate the school's reputation, generally doesn't play a significant role in college admissions for non-athletes. That's because colleges assess applicants on an individual basis, based on a multitude of factors such as academic performance, SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, amongst other things.
Admissions officers are looking for students who can contribute to their campus in diverse ways and have demonstrated personal achievements and ambitions. Instead of the past successes of your high school's alumni, your individual profile is what will really make the difference in college admissions. Hence, it's crucial that you focus on enhancing your own personal achievements, interests, and talents and make them shine bright in your application.
Colleges do pay attention to the rigor of the high school when evaluating your academic performance, but the success of your school's alumni in sports wouldn't necessarily impact this, especially if you're not an athlete yourself.
Based on your post, you might not be an athlete, but if you're involved in sports in any other way – as a manager, in marketing or promotions, or even in sports journalism – that could be a distinct aspect of your profile, especially if your high school is known for its strong sports programs.
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