Quention Regarding Varsity

Zaggs

Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2017
Messages
71
Ok, I know I'm beating a dead horse with a stick, but I'd like to see my options (Candidate for '24)

I currently run cross country and track and am on JV teams for both, as well as a team captain for this year. We recently had time trials for cross country and I placed 12th on the team (need to be 10th for varsity) by maybe 30 or 40 seconds. While this is JV, I have been on varsity rifle for 4 years and served as a captain for 1 year (no letters in our program, but have highest recorded score in county to my knowledge).

I know that varsity rifle doesn't compare as much to athletics like cross country and track, so I want to know if I should submit my candidate activity page now, or see if I can climb up to the varsity spot later this year and then submit the activity record (I would submit no later than the end of October).

Also to note: I passed my CFA, but will be retaking because a few things are only slightly under the avg. Don't know how much weight they look at with CFA and varsity sports.
 
CFA and sports are looked at rather independently, unless one has no sports and then one better knock it out of the park.

The important part about the rifle team isn't about the "sports" aspect of it but the leadership you showed as the captain. Hopefully you didn't just "occupy" the position but did something to improve the team or to get the team to contribute to society as a whole.

You should read the first post on this valuable thread by a long time contributor to understand sports with respect to your application. It isn't necessarily being the best in your sport or even, if I might extrapolate, about varsity vs JV. Yes, it's on a USAFA thread but it applies to all academies.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/sports-and-your-academy-application.44076/
 
Last edited:
CFA and sports are looked at rather independently, unless one has no sports and then one better knock it out of the park.

You should read the first post on this valuable thread by a long time contributor to understand sports with respect to your application. It isn't necessarily being the best in your sport or even, if I might extrapolate, about varsity vs JV.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/sports-and-your-academy-application.44076/
I remember that post and it did help me out a lot. I guess I'm mainly concerned about varsity itself, seeing how almost all cadets participated in a varsity sport. I'm worried that if I cannot, it will severely hinder my chances of an appointment.
 
So what will you do differently with any information you gather here? Will you give up your dream and not apply? Will you spend now to mid-April fretting over this each and every day? What would you change if you are able to change anything to make an impact?

Truth is there is nothing you can do at this point, or there is and you should do it, but you waste your time worrying about what you can't control.
 
Rifle is actually a pretty important activity to USMA. USMA has a Rifle team.

Every cadet has to qualify with a rifle and about 25% of each class branches Infantry.
 
So what will you do differently with any information you gather here? Will you give up your dream and not apply? Will you spend now to mid-April fretting over this each and every day? What would you change if you are able to change anything to make an impact?

Truth is there is nothing you can do at this point, or there is and you should do it, but you waste your time worrying about what you can't control.
I never thought about it like that. I'm glad you pointed that out so I can have some self-realization about wasting my time worrying about the uncontrollable. I'll work as hard as possible and let fate decide what happens.
 
I'll work as hard as possible and let fate decide what happens
Be sure you have a plan B, C and D set up. That is far more productive than worrying.

Four years ago, my DS was turned down by USNA, USMA and NROTC/MO scholarships.

However, his plan D ended up working out. He earned an Army ROTC scholarship and is now an Army 2LT on his way to Armor BOLC in November.
 
Rifle is actually a pretty important activity to USMA. USMA has a Rifle team.

Every cadet has to qualify with a rifle and about 25% of each class branches Infantry.
This. Have you reached out to the USMA rifle coach?
 
Back
Top