varsity sports really required?

che527

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Jul 31, 2016
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i was told that varsity sports are really great for the USNA academy due to a lot of physical work and commitment. is this true? i was only in Cheer JV. Also, I was placed in Lacrosse JV, but I had to quit due to personal issues.
 
i was told that varsity sports are really great for the USNA academy due to a lot of physical work and commitment. is this true? i was only in Cheer JV. Also, I was placed in Lacrosse JV, but I had to quit due to personal issues.

Recommend searching "Chance Me" and "Stats" threads, to see what successful and unsuccessful candidate profiles look like. You will see heavy sports elements.

Sports demonstrate physical aptitude, fitness, time management skills, ability to function as part of a team, leadership. Whatever you bring to bear in that area - and there are people with unusual solo sports or those who have limited access due to location, small/homeschool - will have to deliver the same weight to your application.
 
Class of 2020's facts listed 92% varsity athletes and 72% team captains. I wouldn't want to be outside that statistic if at all possible.
 
Class of 2020's facts listed 92% varsity athletes and 72% team captains. I wouldn't want to be outside that statistic if at all possible.
oh wow, okay. It's tough to get into varsity sports though, because I have never been the sport type. My only two options are Cheer and Golf which are really easy to get into.
 
oh wow, okay. It's tough to get into varsity sports though, because I have never been the sport type. My only two options are Cheer and Golf which are really easy to get into.
Then decide which one sounds more appealing to you!
 
"oh wow, okay. It's tough to get into varsity sports though, because I have never been the sport type...."

Does this give you any concern in light of the numbers above ...92% varsity atheletes, 72% team captains ? Why do you want to attend USNA ? DO you think you will fit in with this demographic ? I can assure you, regardless of whether varsity sport, club sport, or just intramurals, athletics is a integral part of the program. Don't want to discourage you, but you should know what you are looking to get into.
 
My son had his BGO this past Sunday, my son is the same, not sporty just got into Lacrosse Junior year.
I explained my concern, honestly because of this forum, and he said that yes there are athletes, but that if someone shows leadership in other areas, and of course is physically fit, they are competitive also.
Being a Varsity athlete doesn't make you a good leader, it shows you can work as a team, and just because you were Varsity doesn't mean you got play time so it doesn't really show teamwork either. And just because you aren't an athlete doesn't mean you don't have a reason to attend the Academy.
I would suggest you speak with your BGO about your concerns. Do your best to excel in those other areas of academics, testing, Volunteering, and work out to stay fit.
 
OP, it's not just sports at USNA. It's an expectation you will live a physically active, regular hard exercise type of life. That's the norm in military service and becomes a lifelong habit. Military service is physically demanding: long hours in rough conditions, endless hours standing, periods of little sleep, carrying heavy gear, pulling G's as pilots. The military needs people who know how to stay strong and fit, and to push the limits of endurance.

Pick your sport from what you mentioned above, but if you are not currently a runner and doing strength training, you should start.

As always, I recommend reading every drop down, every link, on USNA.edu Admissions, so you are clear on wanting to serve at least 5 years in some part of the Navy or Marine Corps. If you can see yourself doing that, then figure out the steps to become competitive for USNA or NROTC.
 
"oh wow, okay. It's tough to get into varsity sports though, because I have never been the sport type...."

Does this give you any concern in light of the numbers above ...92% varsity atheletes, 72% team captains ? Why do you want to attend USNA ? DO you think you will fit in with this demographic ? I can assure you, regardless of whether varsity sport, club sport, or just intramurals, athletics is a integral part of the program. Don't want to discourage you, but you should know what you are looking to get into.
Thanks, that really pushes me. I totally understand now.
 
My son had his BGO this past Sunday, my son is the same, not sporty just got into Lacrosse Junior year.
I explained my concern, honestly because of this forum, and he said that yes there are athletes, but that if someone shows leadership in other areas, and of course is physically fit, they are competitive also.
Being a Varsity athlete doesn't make you a good leader, it shows you can work as a team, and just because you were Varsity doesn't mean you got play time so it doesn't really show teamwork either. And just because you aren't an athlete doesn't mean you don't have a reason to attend the Academy.
I would suggest you speak with your BGO about your concerns. Do your best to excel in those other areas of academics, testing, Volunteering, and work out to stay fit.
How would I start a conversation with my BGO? How do I email him?
 
OP, it's not just sports at USNA. It's an expectation you will live a physically active, regular hard exercise type of life. That's the norm in military service and becomes a lifelong habit. Military service is physically demanding: long hours in rough conditions, endless hours standing, periods of little sleep, carrying heavy gear, pulling G's as pilots. The military needs people who know how to stay strong and fit, and to push the limits of endurance.

Pick your sport from what you mentioned above, but if you are not currently a runner and doing strength training, you should start.

As always, I recommend reading every drop down, every link, on USNA.edu Admissions, so you are clear on wanting to serve at least 5 years in some part of the Navy or Marine Corps. If you can see yourself doing that, then figure out the steps to become competitive for USNA or NROTC.
Thank you so much.
 
If you are currently a candidate, you will be assigned a BGO, and they should be contacting you. However, if you are not a junior/senior yet, you may have to reach out to USNA Candidate Guidance Office and find out who the Area Coordinator is for your location, reach out to him/her and they will get a BGO in touch with you. (I think the AC is identified on the USNA website ).
 
If you are currently a candidate, you will be assigned a BGO, and they should be contacting you. However, if you are not a junior/senior yet, you may have to reach out to USNA Candidate Guidance Office and find out who the Area Coordinator is for your location, reach out to him/her and they will get a BGO in touch with you. (I think the AC is identified on the USNA website ).
can i just email my BGO directly?
 
My DD is c/o 2019. She did not have any varsity sports in high school. She did do tae kwon do to the red belt level. She did not get in straight out of high school, but when she went to college, she took up club rugby. She was not a captain or club officer. She re-applied and was appointed. Then we sat there and chewed our knuckles hoping she wouldn't break anything before I-Day.
 
Yes! Outside sports can definitely help. On the USAFA side the fencer twins, two very competitive fencers in my class are an example. Also for me, most of the tennis I played was not high school as my region was fairly weak. I have also had classmates with high level belts in various martial arts or for the case of a small or homeschooled kid, a mainstream sport such as soccer played at the club level instead because it was more competitive or the school didn't have a team.

Rev clubs are probably not great for this since the competition element isn't really there, but every case is different. That's what the essays are for, to explain how you are unique.
 
My DD is c/o 2019. She did not have any varsity sports in high school. She did do tae kwon do to the red belt level. She did not get in straight out of high school, but when she went to college, she took up club rugby. She was not a captain or club officer. She re-applied and was appointed. Then we sat there and chewed our knuckles hoping she wouldn't break anything before I-Day.
Great to hear haha!
 
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