Can Badminton Ace USA College Admissions?

What are the two Asian sports gaining more popularity recently in the USA?
Here's a clue: one is a team game played on a pitch, and the other is known for its high-speed rallies.

The answers? Cricket and Badminton.

The growing popularity of badminton can be attributed to several factors. The influence of Asian communities, its accessibility, the health and fitness benefit it offers, and its increasing international visibility are just a few key reasons. If your kid is spending so much time and energy on badminton, does it help in their college application process?

Let's discuss the following aspects to help you derive the answer.

• Can a professional badminton player get a full ride scholarship?
• Does professional badminton help to demonstrate well roundedness?
• How difficult it is to be in the top 25 national junior ranking?

Can a professional badminton player get a full ride scholarship?

As of 2024, badminton is not a varsity sport in the USA. It's not part of the 24 sports recognized by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It means there will not be a scholarship recruitment program for badminton. A full-ride scholarship in this sport is generally not available. That said, many reputed colleges have badminton clubs, some of which offer athletic scholarship programs. If the student has achieved the academic excellence required by the college, the title of a professional badminton player can help. It's important to reach out to these college clubs and coaches in advance to know whether they have any athletic scholarship programs for badminton.

Does badminton help to demonstrate well roundedness in application?

Please note that we are not talking about scholarships and money while answering this question. Though the parent can afford a good college, there is so much competition for reputed colleges. The application needs to stand out and just academic excellence is not enough. Professional badminton players can use their journey to highlight the characteristics of perseverance, discipline, and commitment in their college application essays. It can also describe how they can bounce back when unexpected things happen. Every professional badminton player would see many ups and downs.

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), Columbia, The University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and Princeton have very active badminton clubs. If a student has the academic excellence to qualify for these colleges, then, showing professional badminton for well roundedness will help. Make sure to contact these clubs in advance and express the interest to join the college.

How difficult it is to be in the top 25 national junior ranking?

Junior rankings are based on age. The categories are under 11, under 13, under 15, under 17, and under 19. The U17 achievements are the one that can help the college application process. It's not easy to be ranked in the top 25 in any sport. But I would like to compare here with one varsity sport i.e., tennis. The age categories in tennis are slightly different. Instead of U17, it will be 18 & under. In tennis, the player will be competing with 2000 to 3000 other professional tennis players in this category. In badminton the player will be competing with 200 to 300 other professional players in the U17 age category. So, what do you think? Is it achievable?

Conclusion

Badminton might not help with scholarships, but it will certainly help to show well roundedness and standout in the college application process. Becoming one of the top 25 junior ranked players in this sport is relatively easy compared to varsity sports like tennis.

That's a wrap this week. Happy learning!