HomeSchool Sports

[IamtheFred]

I am a homeschooled junior. I was recently invited to attend NASS ( I accepted). However, I feel that my application is not that strong. I have about a 3.5-6 gpa, I scored 1380 on the SAT ( I will be taking it again), but the area in which I lack is ECA and sports. My family has never really been involved in ECAs and my parents are not in favor of me playing teen sports (as in they won't allow me at all). Does any one have any suggestions to raise my application? I would appreciate all possible help.

 

[commando530]

I am a homeschooled junior. I was recently invited to attend NASS ( I accepted). However, I feel that my application is not that strong. I have about a 3.5-6 gpa, I scored 1380 on the SAT ( I will be taking it again), but the area in which I lack is ECA and sports. My family has never really been involved in ECAs and my parents are not in favor of me playing teen sports (as in they won't allow me at all). Does any one have any suggestions to raise my application? I would appreciate all possible help.

A part/full time job certainly has its benefits for all the aspects of the application, monetary compensation, and work experience. Maybe your parents will let you get a job if you tell them of all the benefits. I started my first job at around this time last year starting my USNA app and I would definitely it say it helped me in all those aspects listed above. (Would suggest pizza maker like I did rather than driver if you can, MOC board specifically asked me about this)

 

[usafcellist2026]

This is interesting, I never heard of parents who would restrict their kid from sports. I don't know how it is where you live, but where I'm at we have zoned schools, which is based off of where you live. I attend a magnet school that doesn't have sports, so I enrolled in marching band there. Maybe see if your parents will let you join a community or youth orchestra, I think it's never too late to pick up an instrument! Try also looking at Boys State and Boy Scouts

 

[usna1985]

OP, for SAs, including USNA, sports aren’t just an ECA, they are mandatory and a way of life. That means it’s really hard to be appointed without being active in sports and almost impossible to enjoy SA life once there.

Since you’re both both a homeschooler AND someone not active in sports during h.s., USNA will place great emphasis on your CFA. You can practice for that on your own. Lots of advice on this forum - just search for it.

However, USNA also likes to see sports on a candidate’s resume because it shows teamwork, determination, etc. as well as fitness. You might ask why your parents don’t want you to participate. Is it fear of injury? Maybe choose a sport where injury is less common. Are they afraid it wil
take time from your studies? Most successful candidates do it all - school, sports and ECAs. And you can d sports during the summer. Do they not understand the benefits - maybe ask your BGO to talk to them about sports and USNA.

Band is great but, in the eyes of USNA, it’s not a sport.

if USNA is important to you, try explaining to your parents how critical it is for you to be fit and involved in sports in order to be a successful candidate. If all else fails, set up your own workout routine and try to crush the CFA.

 

[Navy2025&27]

Not sure all the elements that constitutes an ECA, what about actively volunteering and being involved in community service?

 

[FrauTeufelshund]

Make sure you bring it up in your essays or interviews that you were not allowed to play sports but work out on your own so that you do well on the CFA and show them you have a strong body none the less. What else do you do besides school? Are you active in church? Volunteering anywhere? There are always community projects and volunteering that need you. I think it's a lot about teamwork. If you can't be on sports show where you have been an important part of a team effort. Find a cool job this summer where you are part of a team.

Also use the search bar in the top row (homeschooling, homeschooled, homeschool) and some similar threads will come up. Good luck to you.

 

[Wagmore]

Will your parents allow you to compete in local running events (5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon)? While not a team sport, it would show athletic participation. If this is an option for you, I would recommend retaining records of your official times in these events.

 

[PV35]

Might want to have a talk with parents that you do not want ( and they do not want) you to participate in sports for the first time at a SA. USNA has required swimming, wrestling, boxing, and lots of running.