We all know the immense stress that starts as college applications. Who will take us? What can we offer the top colleges? I know I wished for colleges to be looking for my particular skill. I was a member of my school’s mock trial team. A team that is not recruited by colleges despite the large national competition. There are many academic teams that have both high school and colleges equivalents. Some, like debate are gaining popularity with every year. Yet, no one looks for them.

Athletes have a range of skills from endurance to strategy planning. They also participate in something that has up now put colleges on the map. Sports have always been the most popular extracurricular. They bring in money, sponsors, and recognition to the colleges that they represent. Unfortunately, it seems that America only focuses on them.

Students who participate on educational teams are often told that if they wanted to be recruited they should have gone for a sport. That is not how it should be. Educational teams require as much talent, practice, and dedication as a sport does. The only difference is that is is not as well known. Our endless focus on sports needs to end.