Christcorp
15-Year Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2008
- Messages
- 5,381
When it comes to this forum, and appointments, topics like this can be difficult for many people. It gets even more difficult to comprehend when there are so many individuals who do not receive an appointment. But there are so many facets of this topic that many people overlook.
1. As I and others have pointed out, this individual has NOT received an appointment to the academy yet. Simply a coach that is offering him the opportunity, should all the stars align properly. No different that any other school.
2. How many times have we discussed that the academies want a "Well Rounded" individual. This person has a 3.8+gpa and also a star athlete. That commitment to both says a lot. Chances are, he's also involved in other school and community activities; but some people are assuming he's not. "Because he's an athlete".
3. In the "College Athletic World", the word "Committed" is simply a word that means you choose to play your sport at a particular school. It is separate from being accepted. I've seen many non-academy athletes who committed to a particular school, but because of the entrance requirements, were not able to attend.
4. This is WAY too early to determine if he's only interested in the academy because a coach spoke with his, or if he truly wants to serve.
I was so happy my son received an early appointment to the academy in November 2007. Why; because he was also an athlete, and there are a lot of stereotypes about athletes. Even at the high schools. So when he was recruited by air force to play football, and he already had an early appointment with a presidential nomination, that made it easier to say he made it to the academy not just because of sports. He was ranked #1 in his class. Took the entire IB program. Received the IB diploma. Always had a 4.0gpa; never had less than an "A". Had all the boy's state, community, leadership, etc... But the stereotypes remained. Even in his high school. He was the only football player who was in the IB program. No one thought you could do both. No way could you be a star athlete and be the class Valedictorian, and be offered academic scholarships to multiple schools. Excelling in athletics, academics, and socially did have it's conflicts. He could hang out and walk down the halls with the jocks, and stop in stride to talk to a fellow IB student about an upcoming math competition; while also dating the head cheerleader and being friends with some of the computer nerds.
We had to explain to a lot of people "Especially on National Signing Day for Football", that he had received his appointment PRIOR to being formally recruited and blue chipped. But at least we knew the truth.
So I think that this early in the process, some people need to back off of this young man. Deal with only the facts. 1) He wants to go to the academy and serve: "He said so". 2) He has a 3.8+ gpa. 3) He's a stellar athlete. I've seen 4.0gpa students NOT receive an appointment, because they had NOTHING ELSE. No sports, leadership, teamwork, etc... The academies/military want a well rounded person. And because of the physical and teamwork factors involved, HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS has a high percentage chance of building this type of person. 90%+ of ALL cadets have a varsity letter in some sport. If this was MIT, we probably would care as much about physical fitness and teamwork. But it's the military. We do care about athletics in a person. Plus; as much as some hate to admit it, college sports brings in money to the school; and the academies are no different. They need money. Not everything is paid for by tax dollars. So finding a balance between inter-collegiate athletics and academics is very difficult for the academies. "Hence, why we aren't the superstar college sports school like USC, Michigan, Ohio State, etc...". Give this kid a break. Until you find out that all his classes were basket weaving and home-ec, there's absolutely no reason to be down on him. He's actually a great example of the type of cadet the academies want. Great academics and great athletics.
Have some athletes made it to the academy with not so stellar academics or additional attributes? Yes, we all know that some do. But this kid doesn't seem to be one of them.
1. As I and others have pointed out, this individual has NOT received an appointment to the academy yet. Simply a coach that is offering him the opportunity, should all the stars align properly. No different that any other school.
2. How many times have we discussed that the academies want a "Well Rounded" individual. This person has a 3.8+gpa and also a star athlete. That commitment to both says a lot. Chances are, he's also involved in other school and community activities; but some people are assuming he's not. "Because he's an athlete".
3. In the "College Athletic World", the word "Committed" is simply a word that means you choose to play your sport at a particular school. It is separate from being accepted. I've seen many non-academy athletes who committed to a particular school, but because of the entrance requirements, were not able to attend.
4. This is WAY too early to determine if he's only interested in the academy because a coach spoke with his, or if he truly wants to serve.
I was so happy my son received an early appointment to the academy in November 2007. Why; because he was also an athlete, and there are a lot of stereotypes about athletes. Even at the high schools. So when he was recruited by air force to play football, and he already had an early appointment with a presidential nomination, that made it easier to say he made it to the academy not just because of sports. He was ranked #1 in his class. Took the entire IB program. Received the IB diploma. Always had a 4.0gpa; never had less than an "A". Had all the boy's state, community, leadership, etc... But the stereotypes remained. Even in his high school. He was the only football player who was in the IB program. No one thought you could do both. No way could you be a star athlete and be the class Valedictorian, and be offered academic scholarships to multiple schools. Excelling in athletics, academics, and socially did have it's conflicts. He could hang out and walk down the halls with the jocks, and stop in stride to talk to a fellow IB student about an upcoming math competition; while also dating the head cheerleader and being friends with some of the computer nerds.
We had to explain to a lot of people "Especially on National Signing Day for Football", that he had received his appointment PRIOR to being formally recruited and blue chipped. But at least we knew the truth.
So I think that this early in the process, some people need to back off of this young man. Deal with only the facts. 1) He wants to go to the academy and serve: "He said so". 2) He has a 3.8+ gpa. 3) He's a stellar athlete. I've seen 4.0gpa students NOT receive an appointment, because they had NOTHING ELSE. No sports, leadership, teamwork, etc... The academies/military want a well rounded person. And because of the physical and teamwork factors involved, HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS has a high percentage chance of building this type of person. 90%+ of ALL cadets have a varsity letter in some sport. If this was MIT, we probably would care as much about physical fitness and teamwork. But it's the military. We do care about athletics in a person. Plus; as much as some hate to admit it, college sports brings in money to the school; and the academies are no different. They need money. Not everything is paid for by tax dollars. So finding a balance between inter-collegiate athletics and academics is very difficult for the academies. "Hence, why we aren't the superstar college sports school like USC, Michigan, Ohio State, etc...". Give this kid a break. Until you find out that all his classes were basket weaving and home-ec, there's absolutely no reason to be down on him. He's actually a great example of the type of cadet the academies want. Great academics and great athletics.
Have some athletes made it to the academy with not so stellar academics or additional attributes? Yes, we all know that some do. But this kid doesn't seem to be one of them.
