Varsity Sport / Large School

Objective

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I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:

1) DS was a varsity wrestler and Capt. His school has 3500 students. Sports are extremely competitive. Football & Basketball teams frequently compete for state titles. Many athletes of various sports go on to play D1 in College. My son is a good athlete but it would be virtually impossible to make the BB team, track team, etc.

- Does the USMA account for this in the WCS (eg small school its easier to play multiple sports)?

2) DS played Premier Soccer and for the State Cup Team. More competitive than Varsity but no letter.

- Will that get recognized?

Appreciate any insight
 
I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:

1) DS was a varsity wrestler and Capt. His school has 3500 students. Sports are extremely competitive. Football & Basketball teams frequently compete for state titles. Many athletes of various sports go on to play D1 in College. My son is a good athlete but it would be virtually impossible to make the BB team, track team, etc.

- Does the USMA account for this in the WCS (eg small school its easier to play multiple sports)?

2) DS played Premier Soccer and for the State Cup Team. More competitive than Varsity but no letter.

- Will that get recognized?

Appreciate any insight
Assuming he is not a recruited athlete: There is no differentiation in WCS calculation for large/small school or by level of competitiveness. A varsity letter is a varsity letter regardless of school, and you are out of luck for automatic WCS points if you play premier soccer or other club sports. But if you win significant individual recognition, it does count even if earned outside of school sports.

However, your RC has some discretion to account for unusual situations. It is important to communicate directly with the RC about your situation and address it in the application. Also, note that these activities lead to WCS points in the Leadership category. There are many other ways to earn those points outside of sports.
 
I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:

1) DS was a varsity wrestler and Capt. His school has 3500 students. Sports are extremely competitive. Football & Basketball teams frequently compete for state titles. Many athletes of various sports go on to play D1 in College. My son is a good athlete but it would be virtually impossible to make the BB team, track team, etc.

- Does the USMA account for this in the WCS (eg small school its easier to play multiple sports)?

2) DS played Premier Soccer and for the State Cup Team. More competitive than Varsity but no letter.

- Will that get recognized?

Appreciate any insight
Assuming he is not a recruited athlete: There is no differentiation in WCS calculation for large/small school or by level of competitiveness. A varsity letter is a varsity letter regardless of school, and you are out of luck for automatic WCS points if you play premier soccer or other club sports. But if you win significant individual recognition, it does count even if earned outside of school sports.

However, your RC has some discretion to account for unusual situations. It is important to communicate directly with the RC about your situation and address it in the application. Also, note that these activities lead to WCS points in the Leadership category. There are many other ways to earn those points outside of sports.

So does a varsity letter fall under the physical category or leadership category of the WCS? Or does it factor into both categories?
 
I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:

1) DS was a varsity wrestler and Capt. His school has 3500 students. Sports are extremely competitive. Football & Basketball teams frequently compete for state titles. Many athletes of various sports go on to play D1 in College. My son is a good athlete but it would be virtually impossible to make the BB team, track team, etc.

- Does the USMA account for this in the WCS (eg small school its easier to play multiple sports)?

2) DS played Premier Soccer and for the State Cup Team. More competitive than Varsity but no letter.

- Will that get recognized?

Appreciate any insight
Assuming he is not a recruited athlete: There is no differentiation in WCS calculation for large/small school or by level of competitiveness. A varsity letter is a varsity letter regardless of school, and you are out of luck for automatic WCS points if you play premier soccer or other club sports. But if you win significant individual recognition, it does count even if earned outside of school sports.

However, your RC has some discretion to account for unusual situations. It is important to communicate directly with the RC about your situation and address it in the application. Also, note that these activities lead to WCS points in the Leadership category. There are many other ways to earn those points outside of sports.

While I understand your statement "a varsity letter is a varsity letter", there is certainly a tremendous difference in earning a Varsity Letter/Captain at a school with 3500 students vs on with 800. DS could have easily played three varsity sports at the nearby Prep School. But, we all understand life isn't fair and obstacles are there to overcome. Good life lesson. Thank you for the clarity. Much appreciated
 
I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:
While I understand your statement "a varsity letter is a varsity letter", there is certainly a tremendous difference in earning a Varsity Letter/Captain at a school with 3500 students vs on with 800. DS could have easily played three varsity sports at the nearby Prep School. But, we all understand life isn't fair and obstacles are there to overcome. Good life lesson. Thank you for the clarity. Much appreciated

Not Necessarily true-DD played at a very small Charter school (500 total) and her team was stacked and won the State Championship against much larger schools. Some schools develop reputations for better programs and kids attend to compete on those teams regardless of size. Under this premise it would be hard to evaluate a program based off of size and much more accurate to assess based on the programs success. ie. how many kids qualified for regionals, how many went to states--Team accolades are valuable but being recognized for individual awards would go a long way to max out WCS---ie. All State, Wendy's Heisman State winner/finalist, Gatorade player of the year/finalist, ranked by national organization etc.
 
I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:
While I understand your statement "a varsity letter is a varsity letter", there is certainly a tremendous difference in earning a Varsity Letter/Captain at a school with 3500 students vs on with 800. DS could have easily played three varsity sports at the nearby Prep School. But, we all understand life isn't fair and obstacles are there to overcome. Good life lesson. Thank you for the clarity. Much appreciated

Not Necessarily true-DD played at a very small Charter school (500 total) and her team was stacked and won the State Championship against much larger schools. Some schools develop reputations for better programs and kids attend to compete on those teams regardless of size. Under this premise it would be hard to evaluate a program based off of size and much more accurate to assess based on the programs success. ie. how many kids qualified for regionals, how many went to states--Team accolades are valuable but being recognized for individual awards would go a long way to max out WCS---ie. All State, Wendy's Heisman State winner/finalist, Gatorade player of the year/finalist, ranked by national organization etc.

Obviously, I am making a general statement. You are pointing to the exception. I absolutely guarantee you no small school in our state could compete with DS's H.S. football or basketball teams which frequently compete for the state championship and routinely send multiple athletes to D1 colleges. A few have made the pros.

While I applaud your daughter's achievement, my point was obviously lost on you
 
I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. Two questions:

1) DS was a varsity wrestler and Capt. His school has 3500 students. Sports are extremely competitive. Football & Basketball teams frequently compete for state titles. Many athletes of various sports go on to play D1 in College. My son is a good athlete but it would be virtually impossible to make the BB team, track team, etc.

- Does the USMA account for this in the WCS (eg small school its easier to play multiple sports)?

2) DS played Premier Soccer and for the State Cup Team. More competitive than Varsity but no letter.

- Will that get recognized?

Appreciate any insight
Assuming he is not a recruited athlete: There is no differentiation in WCS calculation for large/small school or by level of competitiveness. A varsity letter is a varsity letter regardless of school, and you are out of luck for automatic WCS points if you play premier soccer or other club sports. But if you win significant individual recognition, it does count even if earned outside of school sports.

However, your RC has some discretion to account for unusual situations. It is important to communicate directly with the RC about your situation and address it in the application. Also, note that these activities lead to WCS points in the Leadership category. There are many other ways to earn those points outside of sports.

So does a varsity letter fall under the physical category or leadership category of the WCS? Or does it factor into both categories?
Leadership. Extracurricular activities, including sports, fall under the leadership category. Physical is CFA.
 
Nothing was lost on me. Your point was not accurate. Outside of football it is common for smaller private/charter schools to compete and dominate in high school athletics. Your son wrestled so he is probably familiar with Blair Academy, Bergen Catholic, Graham all small schools and always ranked in the top ten in the country. Shattuck St Mary’s and Padua Academy in girls soccer and too many private basketball factories that I don’t have time to name them. I believe your sons individual accolades would boost his WCS much greater then checking off a box he was a two sport athlete in high school. Captain of wrestling, boys state, school government, NJROTC etc all would add much more to his leadership metrics then playing a second sport he would not necessarily excel at. As stated before his CFT will be what is considered for physical score. If he trains to the test he can probably max out most of the events especially with the fitness wrestling requires. There are plenty of BG and FFR reps on here that have reiterated these points over and over if you search. They are much closer to the appointment process than most.
 
Nothing was lost on me. Your point was not accurate. Outside of football it is common for smaller private/charter schools to compete and dominate in high school athletics. Your son wrestled so he is probably familiar with Blair Academy, Bergen Catholic, Graham all small schools and always ranked in the top ten in the country. Shattuck St Mary’s and Padua Academy in girls soccer and too many private basketball factories that I don’t have time to name them. I believe your sons individual accolades would boost his WCS much greater then checking off a box he was a two sport athlete in high school. Captain of wrestling, boys state, school government, NJROTC etc all would add much more to his leadership metrics then playing a second sport he would not necessarily excel at. As stated before his CFT will be what is considered for physical score. If he trains to the test he can probably max out most of the events especially with the fitness wrestling requires. There are plenty of BG and FFR reps on here that have reiterated these points over and over if you search. They are much closer to the appointment process than most.


Again, you are citing an exception we are all familiar with. I am speaking to the kid that attends a small school and is able to play 2-3 Varsity sports a year. That same student likely would not earn three Varsity letters at a much larger school - yet, he gets credit for it on the WCS. I simply asked if that was considered during the admissions process.

The occurrence I referenced is far more prevalent that the Blair Academy, Bergan Catholic, etc scenario you keep pressing. I asked a simple question and received the answer (earlier). I appreciate your input and commitment to educating those of us that are new to the process
 
Again, you are citing an exception we are all familiar with. I am speaking to the kid that attends a small school and is able to play 2-3 Varsity sports a year. That same student likely would not earn three Varsity letters at a much larger school - yet, he gets credit for it on the WCS. I simply asked if that was considered during the admissions process.

The occurrence I referenced is far more prevalent that the Blair Academy, Bergan Catholic, etc scenario you keep pressing. I asked a simple question and received the answer (earlier). I appreciate your input and commitment to educating those of us that are new to the process

If I may, according to West Point, WCS and successes (I.e. grades, rank, graduation, etc) at West Point have a direct relationship. No system is perfect. Personally, I would take no varsity letter at a larger school over a varsity letters at small school with other things relative equal. Top 10% at a large school with the class size of 500 is about #50 whereas as in a smaller school of with the class size of 100 is about #10. Yes, I am comparing different things, there are some possible advantages to attending a large high school.
 
Regardless of advantages, one is usually attending a high school they are required to attend, nless they can afford to go to a private high school. One makes the best of the cards one is dealt.
 
I thought the questioning was regarding maximizing his sons WCS score--I do not think admissions quantifies participation in Varsity sports between schools (nationwide) as it would be impossible and at times would be unfair for the reasons I stated. I was only giving examples why it is not always true. Participation in a second Varsity sport may add some quantifiable difference but everything I have read said that individual accomplishments and participation in other Leadership opportunities add much more. End game is to maximize WCS and be offered an appointment (and beyond that is to make it through the four years and commission).
 
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