potential recruited athlete question

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Mere2033

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Hi all, I'm a current West Point parent so I've been through this nerve racking process already but now I have my son who is a freshman in college and soccer player that would like to play for West Point and serve in the Army. He has been corresponding with the coach and has been invited to an ID camp in July. My question is whether or not there is more he can do at this point. Would attending the ID camp be a good plan to start off with? He will have two years of college by the time he attends if he gets accepted.
Thanks!
 
He should clarify his priority: to attend West Point or to become a commissioned officer or to play college soccer. They’re related but not necessarily compatible as the path forward.

If his priority is to attend WP (which by default also means his priority is to become a commissioned officer), is he willing to do so if he can’t play soccer there?

If his priority is to become a commissioned officer, is he in ROTC or plan to be in ROTC as another path to butter bars, in case WP doesn’t work out?

If his priority is to play college soccer, would he rather do that than attend WP or join ROTC?

These are good topics to contemplate and resolve before entering the arduous application process. Especially since he’ll be a sophomore applying, which has major implications on WP and ROTC.
 
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Mere2033 said:
Hi all, I'm a current West Point parent so I've been through this nerve racking process already but now I have my son who is a freshman in college and soccer player that would like to play for West Point and serve in the Army. He has been corresponding with the coach and has been invited to an ID camp in July. My question is whether or not there is more he can do at this point. Would attending the ID camp be a good plan to start off with? He will have two years of college by the time he attends if he gets accepted.
Thanks!
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As Midcake said, his priority should be to commission as an officer. There are two things he should do to maximize his chances of appointment:
  1. Make his application as strong as possible: At this point, most of his points are locked in, with little he can do. But he can control his courses (for next Fall) and standardized tests. If SAT/ACT scores are marginal, keep taking the tests. College grades/subjects will be very important, but test scores will also be a factor. ROTC might be a good option if he is not already in it. A good starting point is to get feedback from his RC/FFR on how to strengthen his application.
  2. Become a recruited athlete: Not all athletes that interact with coaches are officially recruited athletes - big distinction in the eyes of admissions. The ID camp and contact with the coach is the place to start. I'm not familiar with soccer, but for some other sports like hockey USMA coaches go to tournaments to scout players. That might be an opportunity for an extra look if available.
 
Also, keep in mind that he may not be allowed to play college soccer for West Point all four seasons. I'm not sure if your son is playing college soccer now, but if he is then his NCAA eligibility will be limited. From the little research I have done, it looks like you can only play four seasons of division one college soccer in five years. If he plays two seasons at his current college and then goes to West Point he will only be able to play two seasons there from the looks of it. However, if your son is not playing college soccer now he should be fine.

Great posts above as well that bring up some other important information to consider. It is more important that your son wants to go to West Point to challenge himself and become an Army Officer than to go there to play soccer.
 
Thanks for the great feedback. These are important questions he's going to have to ask himself and dig deep down. He'll have to prove himself, no doubt.
 
On May 7th it was announced that the Army men's soccer coach is leaving USMA. Hopefully the coach shared this information with your DS and he gets a chance to speak with those who will be leading the team next year.
 
Mere2033 said:
Hi all, I'm a current West Point parent so I've been through this nerve racking process already but now I have my son who is a freshman in college and soccer player that would like to play for West Point and serve in the Army. He has been corresponding with the coach and has been invited to an ID camp in July. My question is whether or not there is more he can do at this point. Would attending the ID camp be a good plan to start off with? He will have two years of college by the time he attends if he gets accepted.
Thanks!
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Freshman in college or high school?
 
LOVEtheUSA said:
On May 7th it was announced that the Army men's soccer coach is leaving USMA. Hopefully the coach shared this information with your DS and he gets a chance to speak with those who will be leading the team next year.
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Wow, thanks for that info. We had no idea. That makes a big difference.
 
I believe transfers have to start WP as plebes. Does your son really want to attend 6 years of college? Something to consider.
 
DomerDad said:
I believe transfers have to start WP as plebes. Does your son really want to attend 6 years of college? Something to consider.
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Just had this discussion with him again yesterday. He says he understand it and wants to peruse it. I'm not convinced and not sure if I want to go through the time and expense taking him clear across the country for the ID camp.
 
DomerDad said:
I believe transfers have to start WP as plebes. Does your son really want to attend 6 years of college? Something to consider.
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It isn’t uncommon to have spent a year or two somewhere else (college, prep, enlisted time) prior to attending the Academy. For most that do, it serves as good time to mature and figure out their preferences and goals better as an adult before committing to the Army for the next decade of their life (including the Academy time) and they don’t tend to regret it. If anything, the extra time to mature helps them to perform better in the Academy’s environment, but yes, everyone goes through the same 47 month experience regardless of background.
 
Mere2033 said:
Just had this discussion with him again yesterday. He says he understand it and wants to peruse it. I'm not convinced and not sure if I want to go through the time and expense taking him clear across the country for the ID camp.
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If it is what he wants I would do it! What do you pay for tuition now? Considering he is aware he will be starting over and is good with that all that knowledge will only help in the classes he takes at the academy. My cadet did one year at a prep school prior to entering usma. She felt it really helped her mature and prepare for the rigors of a cadet.
 
DDmom said:
If it is what he wants I would do it! What do you pay for tuition now? Considering he is aware he will be starting over and is good with that all that knowledge will only help in the classes he takes at the academy. My cadet did one year at a prep school prior to entering usma. She felt it really helped her mature and prepare for the rigors of a cadet.
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That's what I'm struggling with. He's 19 so I believe he has an idea what he's in for. I'm wondering if the fact he had all A's in his first year of college will help his application? His sister is applying too and she's worked so hard with Academics, leadership etc... I just wasn't sure if the process is any different for recruited athletes.
 
The process for recruited athletes will be explained by the coach doing the recruiting. It is key for DS to CONFIRM he is being recruited by the new coach. The old coach left and his promises likely went with him.

Once DS speaks with Coach Plotkin (who is a class act), DS will know if he is a recruit, will be offered a chance to walk-on if he gets in on his own merits, or something else. Make sure DS knows exactly where he stands at all stages of the process.

If timing is still right, the ID camp is also a great chance to see post, stay in the barracks, and experience New Cadets drilling in Beast while DS plays on Clinton and down by Shea. FWIW - it was his time at the ID camp that sold our DS on applying to become a cadet and future army officer.

Good luck to your DS!
 
LOVEtheUSA said:
The process for recruited athletes will be explained by the coach doing the recruiting. It is key for DS to CONFIRM he is being recruited by the new coach. The old coach left and his promises likely went with him.

Once DS speaks with Coach Plotkin (who is a class act), DS will know if he is a recruit, will be offered a chance to walk-on if he gets in on his own merits, or something else. Make sure DS knows exactly where he stands at all stages of the process.

If timing is still right, the ID camp is also a great chance to see post, stay in the barracks, and experience New Cadets drilling in Beast while DS plays on Clinton and down by Shea. FWIW - it was his time at the ID camp that sold our DS on applying to become a cadet and future army officer.

Good luck to your DS!
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Very insightful. Thank you!
 
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