Individual Sports

mforesta

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
45
I don't have a varsity letter. Throughout the past four years I've been doing Judo. Will this hurt my chances at the academy. I also used to Box, should I maybe pick that back up again to help my chances next year? Is there anything I can do to help me in this department?
 
From what I understand and have read on this forum, if you do not do a school sport, then the CFA gets weighted heavily for that aspect. School athletes tend to get the benefit of the doubt. So, in order to really make up for the sport missing, I would ace the CFA.
 
Yeah, don't worry about it as long as you are in shape and do well on the CFA. I haven't done any school sports throughout high school and managed to get an LOA. Only sport I did was my town swim team every summer. However, I did well on the CFA so I'm sure that played a huge role. Probably should note that I go to the gym fairly consistently to stay in shape. Good luck.
 
also, I talked to my BGO about this, and he said that they are looking for "smart students who are fit" so he didn't think it was anything to worry about.
 
Nothing wrong with judo. There can potentially be an issue if someone is homeschooled and ONLY does a solo sport like judo. The concern there -- which CAN be overcome in many ways -- is that the candidate may be something of a loner and/or hasn't been exposed to group/team activities.
 
Many Mid candidates will have been varsity team captains, which while not necessarily a leader is at least something everyone at USNA Admissions understands. Its tough to show leadership in an individual sport. Dedication? Sure. Commitment? Absolutely. Fitness? (When was the last time you ran a mile in your Judo class? By kicking butt on the CFA and you can put that one to rest.)

So, make sure to highlight your leadership from other areas. :thumb:
 
Many Mid candidates will have been varsity team captains, which while not necessarily a leader is at least something everyone at USNA Admissions understands. Its tough to show leadership in an individual sport. Dedication? Sure. Commitment? Absolutely. Fitness? (When was the last time you ran a mile in your Judo class? By kicking butt on the CFA and you can put that one to rest.)

So, make sure to highlight your leadership from other areas. :thumb:

Also, to which usna85 mentioned, teamwork. Being an active viable member of a team is one of the initial steps in developing leadership. Admissions recognizes this. Hard to do in an individual sport.
 
I get what you guys are saying. However, in regards to leadership I was

LPO in Sea Cadets
Senator on student government (probably president next year).
Member of flying team
Member of forensics (speech and debate) team.

I'm also an assistant instructor in Judo if that helps.
 
Also, to which usna85 mentioned, teamwork. Being an active viable member of a team is one of the initial steps in developing leadership. Admissions recognizes this. Hard to do in an individual sport.

Mongo is correct. Playing a varsity sport in HS allows you to "check the box" so to speak. If you have a choice it's better to be able to say yes than no I did not but explain what else you have done.

One of the best pieces of advise I got was from a very long time BGO. Pick a varsity sport that has no cuts. In some cases it's the track team, swimming, or what ever sport. It does not matter, you are a member of the team and can put it on your application.
 
Well I could start boxing again. I'm in college guys you can't just go play football or baseball. You have to be really, reallly good to even try out for those teams. Besides they don't even do varsity letters.

So short of that, what I'm asking is how can I show my teamwork/leadership skills. I also asure you that while you get on the mat alone there are no individuals in a Judo club, it's a family.
 
I know a hometown young man that graduated last May from USNA ( commissioned a 2nd Lt Marine Corps Ground) that never earned a HS varsity letter but was an avid rodeo athlete and very accomplished in the martial arts.....I believe he was the academy's karate team captain his 1/C year......:thumb:

GO NAVY,
 
As noted, there is nothing wrong with judo! Just be sure you do well on the CFA and are otherwise well rounded.
 
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