Acceptance without varsity sports

ZKrhs2015

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Messages
3
I know the "can I get accepted with these stats" threads are common, but I don't want to be shocked in a few years if acceptance is impossible due to a lack of varsity sports on my resume.

If I can be perfectly honest, I could earn a varsity letter in soccer, but the coach had a falling out with both of my brothers and the grudge continues on to me. In the end, I just don't want to deal with his ridiculousness for the next two years to get a letter.

With that being said, could I get in with the following stats minus varsity letter or would a varsity letter be necessary? Could I fill the void with other cocurriculars such as Model UN or leadership roles in clubs?

-3.7 unweighted GPA
-Hardest possible schedule
-Editor on the Newspaper staff (Publication has won state 17 years running)
-Varsity debate 4 years (National tournament berths at least once already)
-Classically trained pianist (Got a 2 ranking in state competition)
-Still in good shape. Could get good scores in PFT
-If all goes according to plan, I will have taken AP tests in Chem, Bio, Calc, World History, Euro history, US History, Comp Gov, American Gov't, Composition, and Literature (everything offered at my school except physics); as well as Honors Chem, Honors English 3, and Honors pre-calc. Everything else was as advanced as the school put it. (English and Math only got Honors Junior year)

Thanks for the time, I realize these posts can get annoying, and I promise it's my only one.
 
I know the "can I get accepted with these stats" threads are common, but I don't want to be shocked in a few years if acceptance is impossible due to a lack of varsity sports on my resume.

If I can be perfectly honest, I could earn a varsity letter in soccer, but the coach had a falling out with both of my brothers and the grudge continues on to me. In the end, I just don't want to deal with his ridiculousness for the next two years to get a letter.

With that being said, could I get in with the following stats minus varsity letter or would a varsity letter be necessary? Could I fill the void with other cocurriculars such as Model UN or leadership roles in clubs?

-3.7 unweighted GPA
-Hardest possible schedule
-Editor on the Newspaper staff (Publication has won state 17 years running)
-Varsity debate 4 years (National tournament berths at least once already)
-Classically trained pianist (Got a 2 ranking in state competition)
-Still in good shape. Could get good scores in PFT
-If all goes according to plan, I will have taken AP tests in Chem, Bio, Calc, World History, Euro history, US History, Comp Gov, American Gov't, Composition, and Literature (everything offered at my school except physics); as well as Honors Chem, Honors English 3, and Honors pre-calc. Everything else was as advanced as the school put it. (English and Math only got Honors Junior year)

Thanks for the time, I realize these posts can get annoying, and I promise it's my only one.

Well, I know it has happened but it doesn't happen very often. You must be a stellar candidate to make it without the letter. Certainly having the letter would help ease things. What I don't understand is why Soccer is the only route open to you for a letter. What about Track, Cross Country, Wrestling, or some other sport? Or does your school only have soccer?
 
Well, I know it has happened but it doesn't happen very often. You must be a stellar candidate to make it without the letter. Certainly having the letter would help ease things. What I don't understand is why Soccer is the only route open to you for a letter. What about Track, Cross Country, Wrestling, or some other sport? Or does your school only have soccer?
Ya, this is definitely something I've considered, and if I will need a letter, Track or XC will be the direction. I'm just wondering if my resume thus far is good enough. I guess it's stupid to think anything that adds to it, especially a varsity letter, wouldn't help.

Ya, it's a good point. Probably end up going this route.
 
Ya, this is definitely something I've considered, and if I will need a letter, Track or XC will be the direction. I'm just wondering if my resume thus far is good enough. I guess it's stupid to think anything that adds to it, especially a varsity letter, wouldn't help.

Ya, it's a good point. Probably end up going this route.

Wise decision I think. No one here can really tell you your real chances anyway. What you listed looks good but your competitors will have strong resumes too. No point in giving those with letters a leg up on you. Good luck. :thumb:
 
Impossible to say for sure but it will be difficult. People do get in without letters but not many. If you were a minority candidate or female you would have a better chance. West point wants people who are "triple threats". Strong in:
academics
atheletics
leadership

You academics sound good and you have some leadership (need more) but you do not have any atheletic accomplishments.
My adviice: If you want in West Point go get some varsity letters
 
The effort is recognized. And because it's not necessary be an athlete's athlete, what's exemplified is your perseverance and desire.
 
. . . If I can be perfectly honest, I could earn a varsity letter in soccer, but the coach had a falling out with both of my brothers and the grudge continues on to me. In the end, I just don't want to deal with his ridiculousness for the next two years to get a letter.

Is this a fact or an excuse?

Perhaps, the coach told you something along the line of "I hate your family . . ." or not.

What is his ridiculousness? My guess is that you will encounter many "ridiculousness" in a SA and in your military career, if you get accepted to a SA. Avoidance is a technique to dealing with things you don't like, but when would you confront it?
 
The effort is recognized. And because it's not necessary be an athlete's athlete, what's exemplified is your perseverance and desire.

I'm not really sure what you mean by this but no sports = no WCS points in the athletic part of an applicants file. Having zero points in 10% of your file makes it very difficult to get an appointment. You would have to be a stellar academic applicant. Think over 1400 SAT or 31 ACT. Otherwise it is very difficult to gain an appointment to WP without any sports participation in High School.
 
My DS has no varsity letters. While he was in rifle drill team, which IMHO requires every bit as much commitment, leadership, and teamwork as any other sport; he still ended up going to Marion on an AOG sponsorship with an otherwise great resume.

I was high school jock, and I feel like some of the qualities of athletic competition are overvalued. Being a team captain in football means you go out for the coin toss before the game. There are many leaders on a team, not just the captains. Yes, I played in Texas where football is king, but I witnessed my DS put every bit as much commitment and leadership into guiding his rifle drill team to nationals. The bald spot in the back yard where they constantly practiced is still not overgrown with grass, 9 months since he finished.

Can you get an appointment without a varsity letter? Yes.
Do you you have to find another route to a commission sometimes? Possibly.
Best of luck to you, and don't ever give up on what's important to you!
 
Importance of Athletics

Impossible to say for sure but it will be difficult. West point wants people who are "triple threats". Strong in:
academics
atheletics
leadership

My adviice: If you want in West Point go get some varsity letters



I agree with the above point. Whether you agree with the 'game' or not, a Varsity letter is important. I also agree with the Dad below who talked of how his son's leadership for Riffle Team was very, very valuable and maybe more so than being a team captain. But, the varisty sport thing seems to be key.
The BOG at my child's school encouarges all the kids considering an academy to do Cross Country or the distance runs on the track team...AND another sport. Marching band section lead is great. Science Olympiad team captain is great. Both are very, very time consumming and take great leadership and commitment. BUT, they are not sports. Get a sport. We hear it all the time.

The triple threat mentioned above seems to be a reality of what admissions wants to be truly in the running.

S
 
Is this a fact or an excuse?

Perhaps, the coach told you something along the line of "I hate your family . . ." or not.

What is his ridiculousness? My guess is that you will encounter many "ridiculousness" in a SA and in your military career, if you get accepted to a SA. Avoidance is a technique to dealing with things you don't like, but when would you confront it?

It is a fact. My brother was a starting central midfielder on the best team in the city and was kept on JV for three years. This was his fault as he didn't like the school, but still this was the first offense against a very ego-driven coach. My next brother didn't like the coaches attitude towards OCD and quit as well. I've kept my head down and my work ethic steady but still had no luck. Tired of trying.

I'm going out for cross country most likely. Thanks for the advice guys. Intensely helpful.
 
Well, my dad got in without a varsity letter (class of 1989). However, he grew up in an extremely poor family, so he had to work a full-time job, which kept him from playing sports. I believe they took this hardship into consideration. He also had extremely stellar academics (valedictorian, perfect ACT score, ect.), and ended up graduating in the top 1% of his USMA class. So, it is not impossible, just very difficult.
 
I'm not really sure what you mean by this but no sports = no WCS points in the athletic part of an applicants file. Having zero points in 10% of your file makes it very difficult to get an appointment. You would have to be a stellar academic applicant. Think over 1400 SAT or 31 ACT. Otherwise it is very difficult to gain an appointment to WP without any sports participation in High School.

I meant that one can still earn a letter and not be a stellar athlete. It's all relative and then there's the CFA. At the end of the day, participation does matter. No participation with regards to scoring is what you're referring to. I think we agree that there's really no reason NOT to participate in a sport despite personal conflicts.
 
I meant that one can still earn a letter and not be a stellar athlete. It's all relative and then there's the CFA. At the end of the day, participation does matter. No participation with regards to scoring is what you're referring to. I think we agree that there's really no reason NOT to participate in a sport despite personal conflicts.

If you like/ are committed to other activities more, it's a great reason.
 
I'm not really sure what you mean by this but no sports = no WCS points in the athletic part of an applicants file. Having zero points in 10% of your file makes it very difficult to get an appointment. You would have to be a stellar academic applicant. Think over 1400 SAT or 31 ACT. Otherwise it is very difficult to gain an appointment to WP without any sports participation in High School.

I just wanted to put BUFF's post back on top. It is the most objective advice for the OP.

Regardless of anything else, if the OP does not participate in a VARSITY sport he/she will be missing out on points that count for 10% of his/her whole candidate score. If the OP does not receive letter, he/she will be receiving the minimal athletic leadership score.

Will USMA take into account Club Sports activities not connected with a school? Yes, but they will not receive the same level of points as Varsity Sports unless the candidate receives state or national recognition in that sport.

Are there anecdotal accounts of candidates getting in without sports participation? Yes. They should be treated as anecdotal, though.
 
I don't think buff lost any footing before the follow up posts. And I doubt anyone thought they could get away without a varsity sport and the end of the discussion.

Personally, a little sensitivity every now and then would certainly make some of the vast knowledge more palatable. After all, most of us come here with more questions than answers--and I'm as new as they come so I'm no stranger but I know kids that think in and "all or nothing" capacity. To them, I am saying "try". Your virtual presence here indicates your desire to compete and I'd be willing to bet unless you have a medical condition, a varsity sport amounts to allocating time.

I say this with the understanding some of you really do think you're overwhelmed with unthinkable responsibilities at home. Give yourself some credit and balance some of those strengths to make room for your improvement areas. Can you have too many strengths in an area? If I am to believe that you lose more points by not participating in a varsity sport than having several leadership awards, you'll probably benefit from redirecting your attentions appropriately. You can't compete in one category alone.

So make the time, not excuses and you'll enjoy competing at the highest levels with the greatest chances at acceptance.
 
If you look at the class profile for class of 2016, it shows that out of 1193 admitted, 1079 had a varsity sport. So, yes, it is possible to win admission without one.

There are categories of nomination where WCS doesn't matter. If a person wins the principle nomination from a MC, for example, they will get an appointment as long as they meet the 3Q and DODMERB qualifications. Congressmen aren't bound to the same percentages when weighing candidates. It's even possible that a person is a recruited athelete that didn't play on a varsity team. Not all sports are "varisity" sports in all districts.

But if you are on a competitive slate, WCS is going to matter and giving up that 10% will very likely be a deal breaker.
 
There are categories of nomination where WCS doesn't matter. If a person wins the principle nomination from a MC, for example, they will get an appointment as long as they meet the 3Q and DODMERB qualifications.

Whole Candidate Score factors into whether a candidate becomes qualified or not (3Q'd). A WCS that is too low or a leadership score that is too low (athletic participation is part of the leadership score) could prevent a candidate from becoming qualified.
 
I understand WP likes varsity athletes, but I have a question about what that means. My DS plays soccer, but only made the JV team his senior year (this last fall). He goes to the 2nd largest HS in the state (>1100 in his class) and the Varsity team won state. His JV team was undefeated. If he went to the HS in the next town, he would have made varsity easily.

All WP knows is he played 4 yrs of soccer but never lettered and that he goes to huge HS. They do know he has been captain of his travel team the past three years. They also know he runs track in the spring, but hasn't lettered in that either (JV only).

Does that count for anything?

His academics and leadership are otherwise very competitive (he is 3Q with 4 noms).

Thanks!
 
I understand WP likes varsity athletes, but I have a question about what that means. My DS plays soccer, but only made the JV team his senior year (this last fall). He goes to the 2nd largest HS in the state (>1100 in his class) and the Varsity team won state. His JV team was undefeated. If he went to the HS in the next town, he would have made varsity easily.

All WP knows is he played 4 yrs of soccer but never lettered and that he goes to huge HS. They do know he has been captain of his travel team the past three years. They also know he runs track in the spring, but hasn't lettered in that either (JV only).

Does that count for anything?

His academics and leadership are otherwise very competitive (he is 3Q with 4 noms).

Thanks!

So many on here with direct experience and knowledge can tell you way more than I can. However, my child has been told that they really want Varsity athletes. That being said, part of that is to show commitment, physical fitness, working with a team and ability to manage the demands of school sports with academics and other activities. Our child was told being a great athlete is wonderful, being team cpt. even better...but being good and dedicated paramount.
Seems to me that your son showed all of the above.
He was clear in his dedication to soccer for 4 years, in school and out of school
With soccer, track and club soccer his fitness regime is demonstrated
He managed strong academics, leadership, etc. with sports

I will be curious to see what others say, but I would think that in his case (though not in most), the package of athletics in general would equate to being a varsity athlete.
 
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