Old Team Captain

Joined
Apr 1, 2015
Messages
46
I am aware that the service academy admissions holds being an athletic team captain in high regards, but will admissions still take into consideration the fact that I was a team captain if at the time I apply (I am currently a rising junior) I am no longer holding that specific leadership role? My freshman and sophomore years I played for and captained an elite select soccer team, but this summer (due to several circumstances) I have had to switch teams. Still on the same level of competitiveness, just a different club. However, seeing as I'm coming in as a newbie, it's more than likely that I won't be a captain on this particular team. Should I be concerned about this or will admissions still give me credit for the two years I was a team captain? Thank you in advance for any help I receive.
 
Paperplane, it won't matter that you were captain in your freshman year, as the academies only look at extracurriculars for 10 - 12th grade. As a junior, you still have time to take on leadership roles, even if not on a sports team. Look for other opportunities to be a leader such as clubs, student council, NHS, Girls/Boys State, church leadership roles etc. The academies want to see you in some kind of leadership role and it does not necessarily have to be sports. You could even be a supervisor at a part-time job or the editor for the school newspaper/yearbook. Seek out any opportunity to be a leader, and you will be okay. Good luck to you, and kudos for starting to think about these things early.
 
West Point looks at your leadership roles throughout high school (9-12th grade) and beyond. The complicated part is you will have to show that your club team that you were a captain on really was elite and comparable to being a team captain of a high school VARSITY team (not necessRily in terms of ability of the team, but leadership of the team as well). Varsity is key, as being captain of a JV team is not the same (so if it was team captain of a U16 team, well, that is like being on a JV team compared to a U18 team).
 
845, thanks for the clarification. USAFA looks at only 10 - 12th grade. I should have been more specific. :)
 
Falcons Rock, I apologize for not thanking you for your reply as well, I only saw 845's for some reason! But on a more related note, I have already taken up leadership roles outside of sports. I am currently my school's junior class vice president, a treasurer in HOSA (Health Occupational Students of America), volunteer as a mentor in the local youth soccer association I referee for, and plan to take on one or two more roles in other clubs I plan to join in the coming school year. Will this be enough to help out with the fact that I am not currently a captain of my soccer team (still keeping in mind that I have being captain my freshman and sophomore year on my resume)?
 
Oh, and on top of this I am a member of Student Council and NHS. I do not necessarily hold an officer position within these organizations, but just being a member may attest to my leadership abilities as being a leader is essentially what being a part of these clubs is all about.
 
No worries paperplane, it sounds like you are on the right track as far as leadership goes. Keep in mind there are many other factors that come in to play here and no one knows 100% if one will be appointed no matter how stellar they are. Keep striving to present the best picture of your whole self and leave the rest to the board. If you don't have the best SAT/ACT or CFA or anything else, keep trying to improve and never give up! Aim high!
 
Thank you for your words of encouragement FalconsRock. These next two years are vital for me, and I will make sure to give it everything I have in order to put myself in the best position for appointment.
 
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