College Admissions Essay: A Career As An Athlete

Never in a million years would I have dreamed of making varsity as a freshman, especially for a team that had just won back-to-back state championships. Throughout middle school, I had to overcome adversity associated with being a “science nerd.” When people started to discover my academic aptitude, I was labeled a “nerd” who couldn’t be athletic. I wasn’t about to let this stereotype define me, so I strove to invalidate it. Since I joined volleyball two years after most of my peers, I was put on the “B-team” throughout junior high. Regardless, I began to work diligently and spent additional time perfecting my skills. My sister and I went to local gyms and practiced for hours with just the two of us. When all of the other players were having fun, I was focusing hard and absorbing as much information as I could from my coaches. My coach saw the desire and dedication in me that I didn’t even know was visible and he took a chance and put me on his team. I was overjoyed to know that my hard work had finally merited a reward, but little did I know that my rocky journey …show more content…
Being an outgoing person and a natural leader, the upperclassmen did not appreciate my constant input and take-charge attitude. I was shunned from my team, and every time I talked, I was told to “shut up” because I was a “stupid freshman.” I had never encountered such an intimidating team environment and I felt as if there was no escape, considering I spent at least two hours a day with my team. This negative environment led me to experience ‘freshman nerves’, causing me to underperform when I was under pressure. I didn’t believe my team had my back or was there for me, and it was hard for me to play confidently without the support of my teammates. Although I felt hurt and alone, I knew gaining the acceptance of my team wouldn’t be worth changing the person who I really