Questions about recruited athletes

[camp5302]

Hello all

I have some questions regarding recruited athletes. I am a junior in high school and have recently been in frequent contact with the football staff at West Point. I've had several phone calls that went really well and they have expressed significant interest in recruiting me. West Point has been one of my dream schools ever since I was little so I am wondering how this will affect my admission.

Statistically, I believe that my resume is strong and that I would have a good chance of being accepted regardless of athletics. To elaborate, I have a 5.15 GPA, am ranked in the top 10 of my class of 650, and made a 32 on the ACT. For sports and exracurriculars, I have played two varsity sports and was a team captain, have a large amount of service hours, and have participated in and held leadership positions in clubs at my school.
I am wondering about how being recruited to play football at West Point will affect my admission and cadet life. I have excellent grades so I don't think I would need to go to USMAPS prior to attending, correct?

So, as broad a question as it is, how is the admissions process and overall cadet life for D1 athletes at West Point different from other cadets?

 

[Barky01]

First of all, college coaches will tell you anything at this point, this far out. What position do you play, your size for D-1 football? Are you a big market High School player with incredible stats? If you feel that you can eventually line up against Michigan and Notre Dame and not get destroyed, then go for it.
You academic stuff looks good, what is your SAT/ACT?
You will have to go through the whole 9 yards as any SA candidate, so get that rolling, but if the Football Coach wants you, and you have good SAT’s, you GOLDEN.
We talked with a USAFA Football Player at at SA Forum and he said he spent 6 hours a day on football related activities, film, meetings, and weightlifting and practice...
Keep working hard at both academics and football, you are on a great trajectory at this point....

 

[Casey]

Admissions process not really that different besides potentially opening up another nomination category for you (Superintendent) but that’s generally only reserved for the absolute blue chip type athlete who failed by find a nomination of any other source.

In terms of differences in life, there can be a lot but you’ll still be required to meet all the same graduation requirements. Your course schedule will generally be tailored to your in/out season if they can make it work, you’ll attend the normal D1 type practice/workout schedule, you won’t parade, you’ll travel more than your fellow cadets, and how much you participate in plebe duties will probably have a huge affect on how your peers look at whether or not you’re a team player or not. Summer schedules will also be tailored to include summer training camps but all grad requirements still stay the same in terms of what needs to be completed. I wasn’t a Corps squad athlete but one of the competitive clubs so some similarities in terms of privilege/schedules if you have more questions offline

 

[20hodgsa]

I was in pretty much the same situation this time last year. I even went out for the junior day in april and then never heard from the coach again. My biggest piece of advice is don't shoot yourself in the foot. I played OL and obviously was a bit above (270) the ideal fighting weight for West Point. Keep your goals in mind as you play through your senior season and constantly reevaluate. If they offer you take it from there but until then assume that you will have to get in the normal way. Once I hadn't heard anything back at the end of my season I went full speed ahead with training. It was tough but it's doable. Best of luck to you in your recruiting prospects but just remember that if west point is your goal regardless it's important that you're able to get in regardless too. PM me if you have any more questions.

 

[Anschutz]

If Coach Monken wants you, he'll get you. I was on another D1 Team (Rifle) and it was similar. Coach wanted me and I didn't get a nomination from Congress. Got a SUPT Nomination instead. As far as cadet life, you won't drill and you'll likely have study hall during duties but if you're available be a good dude and help out. I rarely used passes at all as a cadet because most weekends where I could I was catching up on school work. Of course try to get in the regular way because if you don't get recruited you can always walk on.

 

[jl123]

If the football coach wants you, you are virtually certain of an appointment if qualified, but first you have to determine if you are actually a recruited athlete.

Many athletes have discussions with coaches, but only some are "blue chipped" (officially listed with admissions as a recruited athlete that the coach wants). Academic requirements for appointment are far lower for candidates in this category and are often appointed as Additional Appointees - a category that allows for appointment out of Order of Merit.