Marching Band

Hi, does anyone know if marching band is classified under "sports" or "other activities" in the Candidate Activities Record?

Other for army rotc.

Other. It took up soooo much time over 4 years, built athleticism, taught lessons in time management and leadership, and gave a "letter." It's still other, lol! My son pulled back on band activities senior year to do 2 sports to show West Point he could. Band parents always see band as so much more...but unfortunately, it's still not a sport.

Its still a very positive activity. That was one of my DD favorite activities. Just try to be in leaderdhip positions like drum major or section leader. And, with some real juggling you can play sports too. We once left a state meet as soon as she finished running and drove to bsnd competition. It can be done

If you need leadership still on your app, go after that Drum Major position. My DD was Drum Major for two years at a highly competitive band, division state champs, and had tons of responsibility and leadership practice. It and the paper she wrote about it, was enough to satisfy the leadership piece, and she got in to West Point.

Band is NOT considered a sport by any of the SA's, it is an ECA.

So this topic comes up over and over. Hopefully all know the formula for the WCS. 60/30/10. Of the 30% - 1/3 sports 1/3 Extracurriculars 1/3 Teacher recommendations. Now do the math. Sports and No ECAs is the same as ECAs and no sports. If you can get a sport in even if you dont earn a letter, you get some credit in the sports column. Conversely, if you get to be an officer on one club you get some ECA credit. There are probably some who get in with all one or the other but I suspect they are the exception than the rule. My own DS was a band geek who who threw in spring track Jr year to get some sports credit. He didnt earn a letter. Band, other clubs, Boys state, Spring Track, great grades and recommendations got him in. He is now a 2LT Engineer. Do what you love, be the best at it but know the criteria to get in and how it is calculated.

Yes, what oldcorpsdad said. Since Marching Band was a Fall activity, Track and Field is a good sport to pursue since it's in the Spring. My DD did Cross Country in the Fall, lettered twice, made for a super hectic Fall being in Marching Band too, but what kid trying to get in to West Point doesn't have a fuller than full schedule? The key is to prioritize your time according to the weighting of the WCS.

whitewolf said:

If you need leadership still on your app, go after that Drum Major position. My DD was Drum Major for two years at a highly competitive band, division state champs, and had tons of responsibility and leadership practice. It and the paper she wrote about it, was enough to satisfy the leadership piece, and she got in to West Point.

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DS is the Drum Major for a large band but he does manage to play and letter in 3 sports. He tells me the DM role has been more challenging.

Being a DM for a marching band is super challenging. For my school, it was essentially a full time job. I was not allowed to participate in sports because even a slight interference would be detrimental. I'm sitting in LGA on pass from USMA right now. It can be done if you put everything you have into being the best you can be.

On all of the demographics that show the percentages and numbers for the most recently admitted class, it has sections for valedictorian, boys state, etc., but why does it have one for drama and not band?