Finish AA or Do Sports?

Mom_CHgn

Mom_CHgn

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Jul 5, 2015
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Our DD is 12.5 credits from getting her AA and starts her Senior (HS) year at the end of August. We have suggested maybe getting another Fall sport in and she will do track again in the Spring (only sports she has been in where all in her Freshman year). This would then keep her from finishing her AA ( :( ). Good or bad idea? She wants to complete her AA (completely understand) but not having much sport participation may hurt her chances. She says that she feels that her completing her goal of getting her AA should weigh just as heavy as a sport (Lol...I told her to write about it). FYI we live in a VERY small town and Sports are huge here...Education and enrichment of Education isn't much of a priority and she chose to make it hers and not about the sports. Prior to 10th grade she was a competitive swimmer (since 5), played soccer (since 6) and played volleyball and ran track. Sophomore year she started college classes and dropped competitive sports....She still runs, crossfit and swims. Any suggestions? In the end it is her choice and we will support her, just want to give her all the tools necessary to reach her goal.
 
Oh boy. Here we go. Dropped sports to do well in academics. She knows she's applying to a school where people do very well in academics, PLUS play a multitude of sports at a high level (usually, not always), PLUS hold down a part time job, PLUS PLUS PLUS... Of course, she will take the CFA and that will give her an idea of how she will do in a highly competitive athletic arena. All SAs like to see their applicants succeed in athletics, and especially, captain a team (or two).

Has DD contacted her ALO?

FWIW, my twins both had 45+ college credits going into USAFA, but I don't think USAFA cared about whether they had an AA or AS coming in.

There are occasional ppl here who do not participate in regular high school sports (mine, PIMA's...) but they almost always have some other sport. An associates degree is no substitute for athletics.

Does your daughter have a job? What leadership skill will she bring to the table?
 
She works as a lifeguard and swim instructor at our local pool, volunteers 10hrs a week between the hospital and Senior Center and she will be running for Senior Class President (that happens in the first 2 weeks of School).
 
Not sure the decision at this point will make much difference. However, the decision to essentially discontinue sports for the past two years could turn out to be a bad one.

As the poster above stated, SAs are about doing well at many things at the same time. You have to be able to juggle tough academics, sports, military activities and ECAs. The fact that your DD was not able to do sports (even in the summer) and academics at the same time could be an issue. Certainly, I would expect folks, including the MOC nominating committees, to ask about it. And, being honest, I don't think they'll like her answer.

She needs to do very well on the CFA to demonstrate she has the athletic aptitude to do well at USAFA. She may be the best athlete in the world but, right now, there's no way for anyone to tell. I would probably suggest she do sports in the fall to show that she likes sports but, as noted, not sure it makes all that much difference.

USNA wouldn't care whether someone had their AA. No benefit at all because one of the things you get upon graduation from a SA is your BS degree. USNA at least is more concerned with the courses one takes in h.s. and the grades one receives. And with sports.:) But maybe USAFA is different . . .
 
You said she does crossfit, does she do any crossfit games competition? Does she compete in open swim events? Triathlons, etc? Even if she doesn't do well in the "women's" division, she must still put up very good numbers. Those can all go on the resume. Also, you say you are from a small town, is your congressional district small? When my son went for his interview with the Senator, he met a couple of kids whose constituency was so small, that basically anyone who showed up received the nom. It obviously doesn't guarantee an appt, but you have to get a nomination first.

Her resume it basically a sales pitch. If she can mold it in a way that makes her desirable, that is half the battle.

Regardless of what anyone here says or thinks, she won't know anything until she applies. Also, as many people on this board have pointed out, there are also ROTC scholarships, etc. In other words, more than one way to skin a cat if she wants to serve.
 
Per her ALO:

"As long as you have other extra- curricular activities, you should be fine."

So just going to let her lead the way!
 
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