athletics

[leaders101]

Hi! I am extremely interested in the academy, but the only varsity sport I do is track. I also dance, do crossfit, compete in Spartan races, and am a skiing instructor as well. Do you think that is enough for the athletic aspect? I have very good academics, service, and leadership qualities I am just nervous on the sports part, although I am extremely athletic.

 

[Miracle]

My RC said it would be best to be in 2 or more sports. But at the very least make sure all those activities you listed go on your resume.

 

[MidCakePa]

SAs favor candidates who have participated in varsity athletics and who are physically fit. Those concepts are related but not necessarily one and the same.

Varsity athletics help someone gain traits such as leadership, teamwork, discipline, resilience, perseverance, grit and time management. While varsity level isn’t a must, it does imply a certain level of achievement of those traits.

Physical fitness can be achieved outside of varsity sports. It’s mainly measured by the CFA, because being a varsity athlete is no guarantee that one is fit in the eyes of an SA.

So it’s as simple as this: If you don’t play a varsity sport, use your other experiences to demonstrate that you have the desired traits. Most, but certainly not all, cadets/mids played a varsity sport. It’s preferred, but not a showstopper if you didn’t.

And work toward high performance on the CFA. Show that you’ll be able to handle the physical demands of academy life and active duty. Officers lead from the front, and that features physical fitness at a high level.

 

[Volbeater7734]

Hi! I am extremely interested in the academy, but the only varsity sport I do is track. I also dance, do crossfit, compete in Spartan races, and am a skiing instructor as well. Do you think that is enough for the athletic aspect? I have very good academics, service, and leadership qualities I am just nervous on the sports part, although I am extremely athletic.

I got an LOA without having any sports at all. Of course, to piggyback off what MidCake said, you have to express the traits they want from sports through other avenues. Teamwork, responsibility, discipline and more. I took the advice of this forum and showed I had these traits in the essay and interviews. Also must have great academics and leadership to counter it.

 

[cb7893]

the only varsity sport I do is track. I also dance, do crossfit, compete in Spartan races, and am a skiing instructor as well.

Call me naive, but the responsibility and leadership required to be a ski instructor is exceptional for a high school student. Just getting beginners safely on and off the lift and down the hill without injury is an accomplishment. Managing the egos of would be hot dogs down a mogul field may be an even greater accomplishment. I think @AROTC-dad would agree with me.

As far as what improves your chances of entering an SA, I'm sure that awards earned in any of the activities would impress those looking at your resume, but Ill leave that to others to advise you.

You certainly don't sit around doing nothing.

Best of Luck!

 

[leaders101]

I got an LOA without having any sports at all. Of course, to piggyback off what MidCake said, you have to express the traits they want from sports through other avenues. Teamwork, responsibility, discipline and more. I took the advice of this forum and showed I had these traits in the essay and interviews. Also must have great academics and leadership to counter it.

Thank you! What other activities did you have that replaced the sports aspect?

 

[leaders101]

SAs favor candidates who have participated in varsity athletics and who are physically fit. Those concepts are related but not necessarily one and the same.

Varsity athletics help someone gain traits such as leadership, teamwork, discipline, resilience, perseverance, grit and time management. While varsity level isn’t a must, it does imply a certain level of achievement of those traits.

Physical fitness can be achieved outside of varsity sports. It’s mainly measured by the CFA, because being a varsity athlete is no guarantee that one is fit in the eyes of an SA.

So it’s as simple as this: If you don’t play a varsity sport, use your other experiences to demonstrate that you have the desired traits. Most, but certainly not all, cadets/mids played a varsity sport. It’s preferred, but not a showstopper if you didn’t.

And work toward high performance on the CFA. Show that you’ll be able to handle the physical demands of academy life and active duty. Officers lead from the front, and that features physical fitness at a high level.

Thank you so mcuh!

 

[leaders101]

Call me naive, but the responsibility and leadership required to be a ski instructor is exceptional for a high school student. Just getting beginners safely on and off the lift and down the hill without injury is an accomplishment. Managing the egos of would be hot dogs down a mogul field may be an even greater accomplishment. I think @AROTC-dad would agree with me.

As far as what improves your chances of entering an SA, I'm sure that awards earned in any of the activities would impress those looking at your resume, but Ill leave that to others to advise you.

You certainly don't sit around doing nothing.

Best of Luck!

Yeah handling the kids is something else haha, thank you!

 

[TB_Rays]

Hi! I am extremely interested in the academy, but the only varsity sport I do is track. I also dance, do crossfit, compete in Spartan races, and am a skiing instructor as well. Do you think that is enough for the athletic aspect? I have very good academics, service, and leadership qualities I am just nervous on the sports part, although I am extremely athletic.

To echo what everyone else has said, sports help a ton not only for your resume but in developing you physically and mentally. Another piece of advice is to stick with crossfit...it makes a high ACFT score much easier.

 

[jl123]

Sports participation primarily factors into the Leadership category of the WCS calculation. As long as you have other activities that contribute Leadership WCS points, only having one sport will not hurt you. Of course you must pass the CFA and satisfy the general question, "Can this candidate handle the physical requirements of USMA?".

RC's also have some discretion in calculating the WCS score when a candidate has activities that do not correspond to the standardized checkboxes. It is important that you use the comments section of the application to clearly explain your non-standard activities, especially any leadership roles. It would also be wise to send an email directly to your RC explaining your activities and expressing your concern.

Be sure to note any significant accomplishment in your activities, such as winning dance/race/CrossFit competitions, skiing certifications, etc. Admissions favors candidates that excel, regardless of activity.