One sport Vs Multiple Sports

I play a sport that is 5-6 nights per week all year.
During spring I play for two teams within the same to max skills.

When looking at candidate score is there 'more points' for more that one sport. Or is one sport just as acceptable?

I'm pretty sure more sports is better. However, as a high school swimmer, I know some athletes participate in club sports all year around, which makes multiple sports impossible.

My son is a club swimmer. Has been, since he was 11 years old. He swims year round, probably close to 25 hours a week. He does not have time for other sports. He has his appointment to USAFA already. He also has other extra-curricular activities that he participates, though not student government. IMHO if you do one sport well, show leadership in that sport and participate on the club level, year round you should be okay.

I don't think you get "more points" for playing multiple sports in and of itself. It's more about the big picture - how much time do you commit to your sport(s) while juggling a full school course load and other activities? How do the sports you play challenge you physically and mentally. Are you a team player? A leader? If I'm a admissions board member (which I'm not) I'd probably look more favorably on the one sport swimmer practicing 25 hrs a week then the candidate who plays several recreational sports part-time. But again it depends on the broader context.

AikiBudo said:

I don't think you get "more points" for playing multiple sports in and of itself. It's more about the big picture - how much time do you commit to your sport(s) while juggling a full school course load and other activities? How do the sports you play challenge you physically and mentally. Are you a team player? A leader? If I'm a admissions board member (which I'm not) I'd probably look more favorably on the one sport swimmer practicing 25 hrs a week then the candidate who plays several recreational sports part-time. But again it depends on the broader context.

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Although there is so much emphasis on getting a varsity letter and playing sports, I feel like if you participate in a sport and can excel in everything else as well, you are more desire-able.

Purpose of sports- physically fit, teamwork, and potential for leadership
Yet, it can be argued that you can hit all three of those components and not participate in sports.

I got the LOA without a varsity letter but I do suggest everyone to participate in a sport and get/stay fit.

During interviews, once they see I participated in a sport, they moved on and ask more about academics and leadership areas.

Keep in mind that these are first and foremost academic scholarships - more than 90% of NAVY's varsity athletes graduate (per NCAA). Don't get so wrapped up in sports that your grades are suffering.

Personally, if I were an admissions officer I would be more concerned about the quality of your participation than the sheer quantity. I would want to see your ability to work within a team(s), be a leader of or within the team(s), and maintain a sense of priorities.

Use common sense... that in itself is a prized trait.

Best wishes.

Commitment to one sport is probably better than a half-hearted stab at many; stick-to-it’ness is a good trait. Excelling at a myriad of diverse activities is even better.

Had a conversation with my Youngster just this past weekend that relates to this discussion. When asked how she manages to fit in all of the activities in which she’s involved plus taking 22 credits, her response was “It’s kind of like HS; like when I was busy doing the play, softball, premier soccer and all those AP classes. It’s all about being efficient.”

I think if you can show achievement given a full schedule of classes and activities you show the admissions board that you’re likely to handle the Academy load.

Participating in multiple sports is usually an indication of a small high school. Bigger high schools, with VERY serious sports programs, usually have sports programs that demand the athlete's participation nearly all year long - even during the off season. Of course, there are those who play more than one sport - but it is far more rare at a large high school.

I think it's far more important to simply play some sport (preferably a team sport) for all four years. It's also better to excel at that sport than to simply participate in the other sports.

Play at the highest level of one sport, example, excel, make All-State, be on an AAU team.

I would add that some sports are better combined then others. I see a lot more Football guys playing Lacrosse in the spring to keep in shape and both my kids swam for their high school during the winter and local pool during the summer while playing Varsity Lacrosse in the spring (and club lacrosse the rest of the year) - the cross training was great. As Memphis noted playing a Varsity sport nowadays at a competitive school is becoming a year round effort. Many high school sports programs "require" you to attend off-season workouts and play in leagues year round if you are not playing another sport. But really it's not about which sports you play (unless you are being recruited) but whether you are in good physical shape and can handle the demands of daily running, workouts and other intense physical actives along with all the other demands of college courses and military duties. I spoke with my Plebe the other day and he said something along the lines of osdad's DD - that the intense schedule he maintained in high school playing multiple sports, taking AP classes and doing volunteer work prepared him well for the rigors of the Academy.