Using Jiu-Jitsu in a personal statement? Good idea? How to frame it?
I am a Junior in HS now. 16yr old blue belt. Started training when I was 10 and have been constant since. Soon it will be time send off the applications. Goals are high and will be applying to Princeton Univ. I've got the grades, preforming arts NHS, FBLA etc. Still I need something to set me apart, get noticed.
What this Jiu-Jitsu is to me? Calm under pressure, resolve difficult situations. Commitment to learn. Afterall I have spent 10 of my 16yrs studying Jiu-Jitsu. Second grade i guess. Don't remember a time when I didn't train.
What are you thoughts?
Briana Kellin wrote this bit of prose, I thought it was powerful:
Woman’s wrestling didn’t build my confidence.
It removed my dependence on it.
It taught me that strength isn’t emotional.
It’s technical.
It’s repeatable.
It’s built through uncomfortable reps when no one is watching.
Wrestling stripped away the idea that confidence comes from affirmation.
Confidence comes from evidence.
From knowing exactly what happens when pressure is applied—and trusting your response anyway.
As a woman, I learned early that being underestimated is not a disadvantage.
It is a timing mechanism.
It allows you to study, adjust, and act when the moment is correct.
Wrestling taught me discipline over ego.
Process over mood.
Control over chaos.
It showed me that resilience isn’t loud.
It’s quiet consistency.
Showing up tired.
Showing up unsure.
Showing up regardless.
The mat doesn’t care about your story, your excuses, or your comfort.
It rewards clarity, balance, and intention.
That lesson followed me everywhere.
In business.
In relationships.
In how I carry myself.
Woman’s wrestling didn’t just shape how I compete.
It shaped how I move through the world.
"I view extracurriculars, including sports, including martial arts, as positives on college and scholarship applications. (I have been a university professor for the past 18 years, among other things) I think my colleagues would as well - particularly when they also do or did those particular extracurriculars. When you get to Princeton, I highly recommend training with Professor Emily Kwok, if that is where she is still training out of, personally."
Thank you and the recommendation.
A couple of my favorite people in my Jiu-Jitsu Circle are in NJ David Adiv and Angelica Oliveira.
"Briana Kellin wrote this bit of prose, I thought it was powerful: Woman’s wrestling didn’t build my confidence. It removed my dependence on it. It taught me that strength isn’t emotional. It’s technical. It’s repeatable. It’s built through uncomfortable reps when no one is watching. Wrestling stripped away the idea that confidence comes from affirmation. Confidence comes from evidence. From knowing exactly what happens when pressure is applied—and trusting your response anyway. As a woman, I learned early that being underestimated is not a disadvantage. It is a timing mechanism. It allows you to study, adjust, and act when the moment is correct. Wrestling taught me discipline over ego. Process over mood. Control over chaos. It showed me that resilience isn’t loud. It’s quiet consistency. Showing up tired. Showing up unsure. Showing up regardless. The mat doesn’t care about your story, your excuses, or your comfort. It rewards clarity, balance, and intention. That lesson followed me everywhere. In business. In relationships. In how I carry myself. Woman’s wrestling didn’t just shape how I compete. It shaped how I move through the world."
That is powerful. Thought provoking,
Thank you for that.
Plan on studying it more
I am a professor at Westminster College in Missouri and I have served as a member of our admissions committee in the past. I think your Jiu-Jitsu experience would be looked upon favorably by any school (including elite institutions like Princeton). Athletics are always a plus with admissions committees, so you can stress how Jiu-Jitsu has helped you develop as a scholar-athlete (you can even make reference to Plato’s dialogue, The Laws, if you want to play up the importance of athletics for education). You can also discuss how martial arts has helped promote your self-development as a person of quality character. It might also be helpful to discuss how Jiu-Jitsu has taught you how to overcome obstacles in your life (e.g., dealing with stress, working through challenging situations, thriving as a woman in a male-dominated sport, etc.). My son is your age and is about to send off his college applications next fall, and he’ll definitely be talking about his Jiu-Jitsu and Judo experience in his statement of purpose (along with the usual extracurricular stuff like speech and debate, foreign study, drama experience, etc.). Best of luck with your application process. Let me know of you have any questions.
"I am a professor at Westminster College in Missouri and I have served as a member of our admissions committee in the past. I think your Jiu-Jitsu experience would be looked upon favorably by any school (including elite institutions like Princeton). Athletics are always a plus with admissions committees, so you can stress how Jiu-Jitsu has helped you develop as a scholar-athlete (you can even make reference to Plato’s dialogue, The Laws, if you want to play up the importance of athletics for education). You can also discuss how martial arts has helped promote your self-development as a person of quality character. It might also be helpful to discuss how Jiu-Jitsu has taught you how to overcome obstacles in your life (e.g., dealing with stress, working through challenging situations, thriving as a woman in a male-dominated sport, etc.). My son is your age and is about to send off his college applications next fall, and he’ll definitely be talking about his Jiu-Jitsu and Judo experience in his statement of purpose (along with the usual extracurricular stuff like speech and debate, foreign study, drama experience, etc.). Best of luck with your application process. Let me know of you have any questions."
Professor, thank you for this. We are neighbors, how cool. Though I don't know you personally yet, I bet we know people in common. Your view on this is important as you see it from both sides. I believe that I will use my Jiu-Jitsu training to set myself apart. I've got the gpa, sat, act, fbla success, NHA. Band. All important, nothing unusual for an application to Princeton. I need to highlight something that so few can claim, likely no other applying at Princeton that year will claim studying Jiu-Jitsu since 7ys old. The commitment, lessons learned and how so much of Jiu-Jitsu translates to a positive study and mental attitude. I've got my work cut out for me. I like the possibilities.
Maybe some day we meet at the gym and discuss over a couple rolls. That may be where I do my best thinking.
Thank you again.
I hope to talk more about this
"I believe that I will use my Jiu-Jitsu training to set myself apart."
This is the key. I have mentored several teenagers through the military service academy or ROTC acceptance process. I have also hired many people and been hired myself several times and often the only thing that sets you apart from others is also the only thing that gets you noticed and accepted/hired. For me that is being a pilot. I have rarely been asked about anything on my resume other than flying. Once people find out what it takes to earn a certificate and use it they really don't need to know anything else. I also have BJJ on my resume and was asked about it at my last interview 3-4 years ago in addition to flying. When you are applying to a school or for a job, 99% of the applications they look at will be largely identical other than the name at the top. Everybody played sports, was in the band, chess club, academic bowl, NMS, and on and on. You can either make the choice to do something that sets you apart from the crowd or something that makes you stand out. The latter is a greater risk, but comes with greater rewards as well.
My two cents? Don't try too hard "set yourself apart," since everyone will do that. You have something important in your life which is uncommon, so you can lean into that, but it has to be from the heart. If you calculate your statement with your head, chances are that you will miscalculate at some point. If you write from your heart, the person reading it will be able to tell and if you have anything interesting to say, it will be well received.
If you are trying to set yourself apart, you are actually following the crowd. Present your honest authentic self, show the admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to get accepted. Then, when you get the letter of acceptance, you will know deep down that the school wants YOU to attend, learn, and grow there.
Monterey, it’s good to see that central Missouri is well-represented here on the forums! Prof. Shawn is a good instructor and Gracie Humaita is an excellent gym. I mainly train at Westminster College, where I teach Health and Exercise Science classes in Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts (though I’m mainly a philosophy professor), and I also train in Columbia at Jaguar Martial Arts. My son goes to Battle High School in Columbia (and trains at Jaguar). I hope that we’ll get a chance to meet at a seminar (maybe the next time Royler is back in town)
Have you looked up the details about Princeton’s Jiu-Jitsu club? It might be worth name-dropping the instructors you’d like to train with and discussing how you intend to contribute to the club while you’re there. If it’s a student organization, they’ll be looking for potential future officers.
What’s your intended major? If you can relate the life-lessons and moral/intellectual virtues you’ve acquired from Jiu-Jitsu to your intended field of study, it will help your personal statement have a more coherent academic theme. For example, if you are pre-med, you can argue that a physician needs to be able to be calm under pressure, respond with poise in a crisis, positively interact with people from all backgrounds, and de-escalate conflict, all of which are skills honed in Jiu-Jitsu.
"Monterey, it’s good to see that central Missouri is well-represented here on the forums! Prof. Shawn is a good instructor and Gracie Humaita is an excellent gym. I mainly train at Westminster College, where I teach Health and Exercise Science classes in Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts (though I’m mainly a philosophy professor), and I also train in Columbia at Jaguar Martial Arts. My son goes to Battle High School in Columbia (and trains at Jaguar). I hope that we’ll get a chance to meet at a seminar (maybe the next time Royler is back in town) Have you looked up the details about Princeton’s Jiu-Jitsu club? It might be worth name-dropping the instructors you’d like to train with and discussing how you intend to contribute to the club while you’re there. If it’s a student organization, they’ll be looking for potential future officers. What’s your intended major? If you can relate the life-lessons and moral/intellectual virtues you’ve acquired from Jiu-Jitsu to your intended field of study, it will help your personal statement have a more coherent academic theme. For example, if you are pre-med, you can argue that a physician needs to be able to be calm under pressure, respond with poise in a crisis, positively interact with people from all backgrounds, and de-escalate conflict, all of which are skills honed in Jiu-Jitsu."
