Travel Vs Highschool

Vista123

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Son played hockey since he was three. He played travel hockey since five years of age. He made it to the state championship game 4x. (he played varsity one year-his sophomore year since he was playing against seniors he thought it would be a challenge.


In our area (not commenting on other areas)Travel Hockey is FAR more rigorous than high school hockey and the competition is fierce. His team has made it to the state championship game 4x in a state that plays high level hockey.
1. Travel:practices 4 times per week and games 2-3 nights per week, High school 2 practices and 1-2 games per week
2. Travel: off ice training 5 times per week, High school-no off ice training
3. Travel-strict code of conduct no drinking, drugs etc.-High school...well not the same...at all.
4. Travel-deep cuts-hard to make the team, high school no cut sport
5. Travel-playing top teams around the country-High school -not strong competition in his league.
5. etc etc etc

Problem: On the USNA CIS when it talks about sports it only asks about highschool sports. So it asks about high school but the levels are only:
Junior Varsity
Varsity (Varsity as a sophomore)-though he has played travel all the way through.
Varsity Letters Earned (he did earn one sophomore year)
Team Captain or Co-Captain (yes)
Special Awards/ All-Star Selection (yes)

This would make it look like he only played one year of a sport. He isn't sure how to answer-when he asked me I had no idea either.

It would be misleading (and to his disadvantage) to mark only one year. His high school guidance counselor suggested to mark four years of varsity since travel is higher but would that be misleading as well? He can define it more in the remarks section-but he is "out of characters" as there is a character limit in the remarks section.

has anyone been in the same predicament? Should he ask his BGO? this is the last part of his application and he keeps turning it around in his head.
 
Son played hockey since he was three. He played travel hockey since five years of age. He made it to the state championship game 4x. (he played varsity one year-his sophomore year since he was playing against seniors he thought it would be a challenge.


In our area (not commenting on other areas)Travel Hockey is FAR more rigorous than high school hockey and the competition is fierce. His team has made it to the state championship game 4x in a state that plays high level hockey.
1. Travel:practices 4 times per week and games 2-3 nights per week, High school 2 practices and 1-2 games per week
2. Travel: off ice training 5 times per week, High school-no off ice training
3. Travel-strict code of conduct no drinking, drugs etc.-High school...well not the same...at all.
4. Travel-deep cuts-hard to make the team, high school no cut sport
5. Travel-playing top teams around the country-High school -not strong competition in his league.
5. etc etc etc

Problem: On the USNA CIS when it talks about sports it only asks about highschool sports. So it asks about high school but the levels are only:
Junior Varsity
Varsity (Varsity as a sophomore)-though he has played travel all the way through.
Varsity Letters Earned (he did earn one sophomore year)
Team Captain or Co-Captain (yes)
Special Awards/ All-Star Selection (yes)

This would make it look like he only played one year of a sport. He isn't sure how to answer-when he asked me I had no idea either.

It would be misleading (and to his disadvantage) to mark only one year. His high school guidance counselor suggested to mark four years of varsity since travel is higher but would that be misleading as well? He can define it more in the remarks section-but he is "out of characters" as there is a character limit in the remarks section.

has anyone been in the same predicament? Should he ask his BGO? this is the last part of his application and he keeps turning it around in his head.

Perhaps explaining under "other".

This is the type of things that a BGO can explain in his interview statement and make a big impact on admissions.
 
Another option is to draft up a letter (as if it was coming from his team coach) explaining the sporting requirements, the competitiveness, his accolades, and maybe why this option was done over a high school team; the coach should then sign at the bottom. Thus, you have the room to explain yourself and don't have the worry about the application checkboxes and this would appropriately give the attention it is due....if it comes up in a BGO interview, it is likely to get attention, but not as much.
 
For ice hockey, is he good enough to get recruited?

I'm from MN, where high school hockey is the way to go outside of the guys who go to the Western Hockey League.

Are you from the East Coast? I'm assuming that's the case if Travel is better than High School.

Also, is the hockey AAA or Tier Hockey?

Also, if he got a letter sophomore year, as long as he is still playing competitive hockey I'm sure they'll understand.

If he is playing Tier 1 hockey and an all state select he may be good enough to get recruited, which I think would help with admissions.
 
My 2/C had similar experience (only in soccer). I don't recall exactly where on the app she put it but her commitment to and performance in club soccer was definitely part of her package. Yes, she played HS soccer too so was able to answer those questions as well. Her attitude was: HS is just for fun, club is for real.
 
Thanks so much for the tips so far!


Another option is to draft up a letter (as if it was coming from his team coach) explaining the sporting requirements, the competitiveness, his accolades, and maybe why this option was done over a high school team; the coach should then sign at the bottom. Thus, you have the room to explain yourself and don't have the worry about the application checkboxes and this would appropriately give the attention it is due....if it comes up in a BGO interview, it is likely to get attention, but not as much.

His Goalie Coach who has worked with him for over ten years did write a letter and it does mention championships, awards, dedication, propects etc.. We aren’t sure how to send this letter though. Does it just go to admissions? BGO?

For ice hockey, is he good enough to get recruited?I'm from MN, where high school hockey is the way to go outside of the guys who go to the Western Hockey League. Are you from the East Coast? I'm assuming that's the case if Travel is better than High School. Also, is the hockey AAA or Tier Hockey?Also, if he got a letter sophomore year, as long as he is still playing competitive hockey I'm sure they'll understand. If he is playing Tier 1 hockey and an all state select he may be good enough to get recruited, which I think would help with admissions.

Yes MN is THE place to be for highschool hockey! I hope you know hockey lucky you have it! We live in Chicago. Illinois is considered in the top tier with regards to Nationals-(3A) so we play top states like Boston, NY, NJ for our national championships. Son Plays in CSDHL League (central states developmental hockey league) and has consistently gone to state and is consistently highly ranked in the national rankings.

As far as recruiting. Son talked to WP coach. They basically take kids (plebes) that are twenty and have two years of Junior before Div 1. You don’t go to UMaps –you just go play juniors someplace and billet. These days there is always a Junior team that will take a kid but Son is not interested in waiting two years to start a service academy so he can billet in some state and play junior hockey for two years. USNA does not recruit for hockey at all. He went to a meeting with the hockey coach at NASS and DS feels good about his chances of playing for NAVY. But they do not recruit its not Div 1.


My 2/C had similar experience (only in soccer). I don't recall exactly where on the app she put it but her commitment to and performance in club soccer was definitely part of her package. Yes, she played HS soccer too so was able to answer those questions as well. Her attitude was: HS is just for fun, club is for real.

Son did one fall and three spring seasons at Highschool (dual roster)-so I suppose those can be counted as three years, even though its spring and not fall. But he does want ‘credit’ for the travel hockey. (does that make sense?) Do you recall how your daughter wrote up her soccer? My son didn’t use it as part of his essay. He does have that 2000 character spot that he can use but it listed all of his volunteer and school awards and accomplishments.

Overall, the concern is that they are going to look at his application in a pile of 15,000 other applicants and not see the heavy focus on team sports and eliminate his easily because it is hard to find.
 
Son did one fall and three spring seasons at Highschool (dual roster)-so I suppose those can be counted as three years, even though its spring and not fall.

Yes, I'd say that counts. I know of no HS sport that plays year round.

But he does want ‘credit’ for the travel hockey. (does that make sense?) Do you recall how your daughter wrote up her soccer?

No I honestly do not. I did not review her application. I do know it came up when she talked with her BGO and again when the Dir of Adm was talking to her in our home.

My son didn’t use it as part of his essay. He does have that 2000 character spot that he can use but it listed all of his volunteer and school awards and accomplishments.

That would be a good place. The SA's are looking for committment and this shows his.

Overall, the concern is that they are going to look at his application in a pile of 15,000 other applicants and not see the heavy focus on team sports and eliminate his easily because it is hard to find.

My DD plays club softball and loves it. She sees the pressure on the varsity athletes and is glad she doesn't have it. So I think your son would enjoy playing hockey for Navy.
 
My DD plays club softball and loves it. She sees the pressure on the varsity athletes and is glad she doesn't have it. So I think your son would enjoy playing hockey for Navy.

The advice on here is great-thanks!

My son would love to play for USNA. Navy hockey is ECHA not division 1 and he would like to play there if he makes it into USNA. He went to hear the coach speak and felt good about it but USNA does not recruit for hockey so it wont help for admissions. of course no guarantees on even making the team- he would try out along with everyone else like every club sport.

...on a side note...USMA DOES recruit for hockey- but its division 1. highschool graduates dont (as a rule) play division 1-they play juniors for ~2 years. If you look at the WP roster the players played two years after highschool on a Jr team before applying to USMA. USMA has gone to the frozen 4-they are a top div 1 team.

My son LOVES hockey, and will probably play for life-all the way into the beer leagues;) but is now motivated to start his quest to become an officer and start his career.

The concern is past sport choices negatively impacting his current quest-and how to mitigate that.
 
jadler03, DS has similar situation with swimming... so would the letter "from" the club coach then just be mailed to admissions? DS did not include it on activities record (which has already been submitted) but on reflection is thinking he should include that information. Also, I believe he DID include it on his NASS app, so would that be part of his total file anyway making it redundant to send a letter? Thanks for your help!
 
Vista/MMMom,

Yes, you should snail mail or scan/email updates to Admissions. Someone must verify updates to a candidate's activities record. Therefore, having the coach sign, would validate your son/daughter's activity.
 
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