Wrestling and Football

Prosepekt

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
6
Hello all,

I am a student at an all-male military school. I am very interested in the Academy and know my chances are decent. Every year, my school sends multiple kids to service academies and I've heard we are known to admission boards as having good cadets. However, not all do get in.

My question is, do I need to add another sport for the spring? I play football and wrestle, and in the spring spend my time in the weight room. Does track add any real benefit, or is too short distance to matter? Plus, football and wrestling are two physically demanding, high contact, athletics so is that enough?

Thanks so much!
 
It just depends. Adding another sport will add more points to your file. It all depends on what that will effect. If you can't manage your grades well while playing three sports, then stick to two. I made straight A's, and I only played football. That being said, it can help, but is not necessary. Also, if you are team captain, or varsity letterman, that helps more too. One more point people don't realize - if you are a starter on a good team (My team won state twice in a row my junior and senior years), it gives you more points, and being a team captain and letterman definitely help a lot.

I am saying all this to say, it depends on which area of your file needs more work. If you don't participate in that many Extra Curriculars, then you need to be focusing on that rather than adding another sport. Or maybe your grades/test scores need improving. Two sports is more than enough to get you a good amount of points in your athletics area of your profile, so I wouldn't stress that. Do what you want as far as sports, and work on improving everything else.
 
Ok, I understand what you mean.

As far as letter winning, I earned a varsity letter this year, my sophomore year, in football. I shouldn't have much of a problem earning letters for my junior and senior years as well.
I did not letter in wrestling this year, but will probably be able to do so the next two seasons.

My grades are pretty decent. I take honors and AP classes, and earn A's and B's in all my classes. Last year, I had a GPA in the top 20 or so of my class.

I'm an editor on my school paper, and the guidon bearer for my company this year. I am also involved in a few church groups, and co-coordinate a church summer camp for kids and middle schoolers.

Am I looking like a pretty average candidate or would a new thread with more detailed info be of more help? Also, does coming from a military high school make my chances any better? Does the admissions board like a nominee who already has the patience and discipline to shine brass and shoes as well as iron, and just take general pride in uniform?
 
What about school clubs? (Ex: NHS, optimist club, etc.) Scouts?

Look up the ℅ 2017 profile and see how many groups you would be listed under, the more the better.

Get involved with SGA.
 
My grades are pretty decent. I take honors and AP classes, and earn A's and B's in all my classes. Last year, I had a GPA in the top 20 or so of my class.

"Decent" might not be good enough. The candidate evaluation is 60% academics, 30% leadership, and 10% physical. It sounds like you should do well on the leadership and physical evaluations. If so you need to focus on academics. Playing another sports will only improve your leadership point incrementally, whereas as you could move up 19 more spots on your class rank. Also, 20 out of 60, 100, 200, or 400 - comes to top 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5%.
 
It's a class size of around 130, so 15% roughly. We're a college prep school, in addition to being a military institute, and all of our classes are at what would be an honors level at an average public school. So taking honors and AP classes within an already tough school is an academic step I have.

We have put out one appointment to West Point this year, as well as Naval Academy and the USCGA, but I know that's a different process.

I know my grades could definitely be higher. Why not strive for all A's instead of just settling for taking a few B+?

I think I'll stay away from a spring sport for that reason, as per your suggestions. 2-3 hour football practices are lengthy enough :p
 
What about school clubs? (Ex: NHS, optimist club, etc.) Scouts?

Look up the ℅ 2017 profile and see how many groups you would be listed under, the more the better.

Get involved with SGA.

Freshmen year, I was part of the Orienteering club, and I'm currently an editor on the school paper. Plus, I have numerous church groups I'm with.

I'm planning on being in Latin club (yes, the dead language), and Conservative Club as well. I've also been nominated to be a weight room captain, but that isn't a varsity sport so I don't know how much pull that really has.
 
Good. Get involved in as many clubs as possible though. I mean any and all. Become a leader in those too. Get those grades up like you said! How are your standardized test scores?
 
Well, as a sophomore, I have yet to take the ACT or SAT or even PSATs. We have however taken what is called a PLAN test which is made by ACT as a pretest to give an early indication of what you will likely score of the ACT. My projected score was 31. I placed in the 90th percentile in every category.
 
That is a good sign. I'd just say keep it all up. Do your best to raise your grades. Focus on maintaining your strong points, and work on making your weak points better. Good luck!
 
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It's all about balance and quality. Excel at what you do choose. Spend quality time doing it.
 
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