No Sports - Uh oh

wolfcave

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Messages
2
Hello! I'm a high school junior interested in the USMA. I apologize for the lack of introduction, but I have a question that's bothering me so much that I'm diving straight into it:

Since my parents have taken a relative hands-off approach with my academic career, I've just now come around to considering college. So, while I'm highly interested in making West Point my first-choice school, there's appears to be a pretty big problem at hand...

I have virtually no athletic history. No varsity sports, no martial arts. Nothing. My public high school is ranked #1 in the state and is among the top ten nationally, but due to an evil school board that dislikes my school's existence (it siphons off all of the high-achieving students from the other schools), the school has lackluster funding. So, there are no school-sponsored sports of any sort that I could participate in.

Furthermore, my family was/is/will be unable to provide transportation that would allow me to join a non-school sport (like rowing) or another district school's team.

From looking at the USMA class profiles, its evident that participation in sports is a quite crucial part of acceptance and nomination. So, will this be a completely disqualifying setback for me?

The only sort of sport-y thing I've done during high school is help spearhead a summer-long junior golfing program at the local golf course that helps children of less-wealthy families play the sport. I supervise, advise, and otherwise assist with the program in every way that's helpful. I have a good rapport with the golf pros who head this non-profit and they recognize me as the best and most leader-like of the 40 or so high schoolers who volunteer with the program. I'm sure that there would be no problem getting a positive letter from the main coordinator, but it certainly wouldn't describe my athletic ability.

I independently maintain a high degree of physical fitness and shouldn't have trouble passing the CFA with a little more cardiovascular stress in my workout. The rest of my application wouldn't be quite as bad:

  • 229 on PSAT (so expecting National Merit)
  • 2250 on SAT - 800 CR/760 Writing/690 Math (first time taking and I flubbed my bubbling on the math and did poor on the essay, so I shouldn't have a problem getting it above 2300 the next time)
  • 4.0 unweighted GPA, but school doesn't do class rank
  • Rigorous schedule (All honors + AP classes; Sophomore Year: AP World History and Dual Enrollment [with state college] Precalculus and Trigonometry; Junior Year: AP Calculus, AP Language + Composition, AP US History, AP Comparative Government, AP Microeconomics; Next Year: AP Statistics, AP Literature + Composition, AP US Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology)
  • Anticipating AP Scholar with Distinction
  • National Honor Society + National Junior Honor Society
  • Rho Kappa - Social Studies Honor Society (mock trial coordinator and judge for yearly school simulations)
  • Mu Alpha Theta - Math Honor Society
  • "Scholars for Scholars" - tutor students struggling to maintain the required 2.5 GPA
  • Online School Newspaper Editor-in-Chief (junior year and will retain position senior year, + serving on paper for all four years of school, have also been Photography Editor and other minor roles)
  • Teen Court Attorney (crucial role - prosecute and defend real under-18 criminals referred from juvenile court)
  • Teen Court Intern (manage the program's website, prepare documents, and assorted clerical work)
  • Will be interning with a judge this summer and next school year
  • Too late to apply for Boys' State :(


I'm expecting the worst, so lay it on me. Sorry for the long post.
 
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Well it won't be easy but it's not out of the question. Perhaps something you could do athletically is participate in 5K or 10K runs on weekends. In any case you need to be working out and hit the CFA out of the park to demonstrate your ready athletically. Just my opinion though. I'm sure others will jump in and share theirs. Be sure to work on backup plans though.
 
I know you say that you don't have transportation, but getting into a club sports team (soccer, basketball, etc) will mitigate somewhat your lack of a school sport. School sports count more, but club and league sports give some points.
 
Thank you guys for the input!

I know you say that you don't have transportation, but getting into a club sports team (soccer, basketball, etc) will mitigate somewhat your lack of a school sport. School sports count more, but club and league sports give some points.

The only "sport" club my school has is Ultimate Frisbee, and I'm fairly certain its a joke (it replaced the Quiddich Club, I believe).

Any advice, given that reality? :frown:
 
Thank you guys for the input!



The only "sport" club my school has is Ultimate Frisbee, and I'm fairly certain its a joke (it replaced the Quiddich Club, I believe).

Any advice, given that reality? :frown:

Competitive games of Ultimate (as it is officially called - Frisbee is a trademarked name) do require a good deal of athleticism. It is by no means an easy game or a joke. To be truly good at it, you need to be explosive and be able to maintain full control of your body as you jump or pivot and throw. It can be a lot of fun, though. And, honestly, if it's your only option, the more WCS points you can net, the better your chances. As stated above, be ready to destroy that CFA to show them that you really are an athlete and ready to take on the challenge of a service academy.

Ultimate might actually give you an edge at USMA. Flickerball is one of the intramurals there, and it is basically Ultimate with a football instead of a Frisbee. I've only played it a few times, but it could get you used to the feel of the game if you so choose to go that route while you're there.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck. :smile:
 
Club sports are not typically done through the schools. They are run by communities, or other organizations. For example, we have summer soccer ,in our community for young children, and then the kids move up to travel soccer teams. We have AAU basketball for all ages, which is also a travel type scenario. We live in a small rural community so most high school level sports involve travel to other communities to play. Our kids always shared rides to practices and games - always someone available to help with transportation, even the coaches.
 
Club sports are not typically done through the schools. They are run by communities, or other organizations. For example, we have summer soccer ,in our community for young children, and then the kids move up to travel soccer teams. We have AAU basketball for all ages, which is also a travel type scenario. We live in a small rural community so most high school level sports involve travel to other communities to play. Our kids always shared rides to practices and games - always someone available to help with transportation, even the coaches.

This is a great point, and I can definitely relate to it. The closest place my sports teams ever travel is 80 miles away. I am one of the few people on our teams with a driver's license, so I carpool with other teammates who can't drive or their parents can't take them that day to help them out. See if anyone in your community would be willing to help you out with transportation.
 
Wow. It's is hard to believe there is a public high school with such a high rating and has no sport program.
 
Do frisbee, that's a sport at West Point (not NCAA), but I think a part of Company Athletics. MAX OUT THE CFA. That is a MUST. With no Varsity Sports, that is the only basis they will have to evaluate your physical condition. Do 5ks, 10ks, marathons, join a shooting club, etc,. Show them effort. Show them that you're physically capable of handling the rigors of Army life.


Jackie, USMA USAFA USMMA Candidate for Class of 2018
Principally Nominated to USMA & USAFA
Appointed to USMA and USAFA
USMA Class of 2018
 
Competitive games of Ultimate (as it is officially called - Frisbee is a trademarked name) do require a good deal of athleticism. It is by no means an easy game or a joke. To be truly good at it, you need to be explosive and be able to maintain full control of your body as you jump or pivot and throw. It can be a lot of fun, though. And, honestly, if it's your only option, the more WCS points you can net, the better your chances. As stated above, be ready to destroy that CFA to show them that you really are an athlete and ready to take on the challenge of a service academy.

Ultimate might actually give you an edge at USMA. Flickerball is one of the intramurals there, and it is basically Ultimate with a football instead of a Frisbee. I've only played it a few times, but it could get you used to the feel of the game if you so choose to go that route while you're there.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck. :smile:

I'm pretty sure he was implying its a joke at his school, not that ultimate frisbee is a joke in general, thus the quiddich mention. Something where few people show up and those who do probably don't even play untlimate frisbee much, they just mess around or something.
 
I'm pretty sure he was implying its a joke at his school, not that ultimate frisbee is a joke in general, thus the quiddich mention. Something where few people show up and those who do probably don't even play untlimate frisbee much, they just mess around or something.

Perhaps I did misread the original post. I apologize if my post appears to contain any malice; that was not my intent.
 
If you truly cannot participate in any sort of organized athletics, whether club or school-sponsored, the advice I've always seen given is that you should try to crush the CFA. Not just "get a little more fit and pass" the CFA.

How about getting on the internet and finding a training program for running to work on making your run time as absolutely impressive as possible? (Not to mention becoming a sit-up and pull-up warrior.) And maybe signing up for 5K and 10K fun-runs (they seem to be ubiquitous most everywhere) and working on getting your times as low as possible -- that would give you something to talk about to, say, the nominating committee or interviewer for your Congressperson or Senator.
 
Start doing 5ks and triathlons. Run to them if you must. Where there's a will...
 
Plan B....

I know you feel within your heart WP is the place for you, be prepared, to have a Plan B. WP is not the "be all, end all" schools.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
If you truly cannot participate in any sort of organized athletics, whether club or school-sponsored, the advice I've always seen given is that you should try to crush the CFA. Not just "get a little more fit and pass" the CFA.

Sports in the context of the application measures part of the Leadership Potential dimension, not athletic prowess. Doing outstanding on the CFA will not make up for not playing sports. If you are unable to play any sports, you need to crush your entire application: top test scores, top class rank, multiple top level club leadership positions, great teacher evaluations, and crush the CFA AND HOPE that no one else has all of that plus a sport in your district.
 
Ultimate might actually give you an edge at USMA. Flickerball is one of the intramurals there, and it is basically Ultimate with a football instead of a Frisbee. I've only played it a few times, but it could get you used to the feel of the game if you so choose to go that route while you're there.

Flickerball prowess is probably the last thing you should be concerned about at West Point
 
Flickerball prowess is probably the last thing you should be concerned about at West Point

Oh I know. I wasn't trying to stray away from the big picture and true purpose of USMA, but why not have a little fun along the way? :smile:
 
Same Boat - 2018

Wolfcave, I was in a similar position last year since my school only has a Ping Pong club for sports. Luckily, I have now accepted my appointment for USMA Class of 2018. It can be done!
Like you, I attend a top school (ranked around 30 nationally) that has no sports teams. My best suggestion would be to follow the recommendations from some of the other members. Do some 5/10ks and triathlons and make sure you do really well on the CFA.
While applying, realize since you don't have sports all of your other activities, grades, and interviews will count that much more. I was also lucky as I was able to meet with my RC twice and was able to talk with him briefly another time when I went up to visit West Point.
In case your curious, I'm from a highly represented state and city so I was definitely not a diversity case.
Good luck!:thumb:
 
Start running now. Do some 5K and 10Ks-- get official times and submit to MALO.
You can run-- max the CFA and show them you can do it.
Athletics is a leadership deal too.
GET TO BOYS STATE-- find your guidance counselor and get yourself sent from your school. Huge points there.
American Legion runs Boys state and you may try to go directly through them .
Any chance you are a Boy Scout? If so, run and get that Eagle asap.
 
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