Track/Cross Country

grking

5-Year Member
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Feb 6, 2013
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At the info night I went to, it seemed the admissions officers there (particularly the ROTC woman) did not think too highly of Track, saying one should try to get a varsity letter on the track team if they could not make the cut for a team sport, because it was "easier". Does this mean Track/XC V-letters do not have the same weight as Football, Baseball, or Soccer letters?
 
At the info night I went to, it seemed the admissions officers there (particularly the ROTC woman) did not think too highly of Track, saying one should try to get a varsity letter on the track team if they could not make the cut for a team sport, because it was "easier". Does this mean Track/XC V-letters do not have the same weight as Football, Baseball, or Soccer letters?

I read somewhere on these forums, rather recently, an explanation that made some sense to me. I can't verify it's correct, but here is the gist of it. Sports are considered in tiers. Football, Soccer, and maybe baseball can be considered to be sports where multiple players must execute simultaneously, or in sequence, on the same play. These carry somewhat more weight, in terms of the teamwork lessons learned, than sports where team members must execute but there is no simultaneity, or sequence, on a play. These would be things like track and wrestling. These are more individual skill sports. Yes, you learn some teamwork but it's considered to be a somewhat different animal from football.

As I said, I cannot confirm they are awarded points differently in the whole person score, but it's a plausible argument.

In any case, I'm sure you've put together the best package you possibly can given what you have to offer. There is no point worrying about it now. And I doubt any point difference is very much. Running and wrestling aren't exactly easy individual sports. Badminton? Maybe not so much.
 
I actually have some somewhat insider information in that I spoke to someone in he admission department here, and they told me the jist of how everything works. Basically team captain on large team sports like football where you won the state championship trumps all. It is a tier system, and while being team captain is a boost yes, being on a team sport definitely increases one's "score" in the sports department. I also learned every candidate is ranked on a 400 to 800 scale, with academics, faculty ranking, sports, extracurriculars, and cfa all having an individual score in the 400 to 800 range. Pretty interesting system. The key thing is in every activity you do, find a way to show leadership. That is the biggest key.
 
Just a little information. DS, now Class of 2017 at WP, was a Winter and Spring Varsity Track runner throughtout his entire high school years and earned 4 Varsity Letters. Was the fastest runner in his company during Beast. Was able to handle rucking quite well. As a result of running track, he felt it helped him in so many ways during beast and now during his AY. I do not know how WP factors it in with regard to your WCS. All cadets work out pretty much daily and are seen running around base everyday. Good Luck!
 
At the info night I went to, it seemed the admissions officers there (particularly the ROTC woman) did not think too highly of Track, saying one should try to get a varsity letter on the track team if they could not make the cut for a team sport, because it was "easier". Does this mean Track/XC V-letters do not have the same weight as Football, Baseball, or Soccer letters?
I understand the whole teamwork part of team sports like football, basketball, etc as kinnem explains and how they may be considered more valuable. That said the statement about lettering in track/XC being "easier" is a bit naive. There are a lot of varsity highschool football players that could never letter or even make varsity in track or XC just as there are track/XC folks that would never letter or make varsity in football/basketball. Different skill sets. Then there are the more gifted athletes that seem to be able to excel in any sport. Easier was a poor choice of words but it does seem that the academies in general and perhaps WP in particular place somewhat more value on sports like football. Nothing you can do about that, so you need to maximize your opportunities with the skill/ability set you have. Go be a leader in whatever you participate in.
 
Sports

Interesting. I get the whole leadership thing. Having kids who have played Softball, XC, Wrestling and Lacrosse I would argue they each offer a unique leadership experience. XC and Wrestling provide an endurance mentality that few sports can match. Having a kid who that has gone through the whole Plebe thing, XC is a huge benefit. Having been an Officer in the field, XC endurance was a plus.
But I am not on the Admissions Board.
 
lol. My son has run track and cross country for four years. They have about 150 boys on each team -- yes 150. To earn a varsity letter, you need to be on the State team -- in track there are two spots in each event -- for the distance events 800, 1600 and 3200 -- there are only SIX varsity letters available (and some spots are taken by the same guy). In Cross Country, there are only TWELVE spots available. Where the football team gives them away if you played a few downs in a game.

As for leadership, a lot more opportunities to lead when there are 150 boys on a team than 15 on a basketball team.

Now -- the key is to effectively articulate that and not just rely on tick boxes on the application
 
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