he received an email last August timeframe that he was a recruited athelete from the coach. Last night he signed in and was denied . no waitlist , no hold etc. He said last week if he doesnt get in he will attend a regular college on a recruited scholarship and reapply next year. Just not sure what he right thing to do is. He is also on HOld for USMMA and was about half way up the hold list from what our person indicated indirectly and USAFA we called and its a possibilty he could get Prep school. However, his first choice is USCGA. Wondering to advise him to wait or hope for USMMA or try prep at USAFA if he is granted any of these. Thanks for advice!
Would he be able to get out of his “regular college” scholarship should he decide to reapply?
A strong desire to serve must be present. If his main interest is his sport, maybe regular college scholarship would be the best route. Make sure serving his country is his first desire. Not playing his sport. A SA is unlike any other sports ‘scholarship’ Bc an athlete can walk away from their sport, and many do. The demands of academics, company obligations, athletics among other things can be overwhelming at best and some cannot handle all those competing demands. Would he be happy without his sport? Another thing that can happen is he could get cut from the team. Would he still enjoy his SA? Still want to serve (a minimum of 5 yrs btw)?
Assuming his first desire is actually attending a SA and serving, personally I would not bet on an unknown. So much could change. And absolutely NO guarantee he would even be looked at for his sport again. It happens all the time, we read stories every year about kids banking on being recruited, and it doesn’t come to fruition (search the threads for ‘recruited athlete’). You are number 1 until a new number 1 comes along. Also SA coaches cannot guarantee getting you in. They have a couple ‘blue chips’ but recruited still have to meet SA requirements of academics, medical and physical. I would advise a sure thing, as long as he has really thought about serving. Post academy.
Being blunt, if he isn’t recruited USAFA for his sport, and communication with coach at USCGA stopped, he probably isn’t looking at true interest in his sport. And he needs to obtain an appointment on his own. If he truly wants an academy, and is passionate about that, I would advise taking one that’s for sure vs waiting and reapplying. Every year AMAZING candidates have to be turned away. Read the “waiting” threads to see what the resumes of his competition look like. It’s very humbling.
Editing to add: the number of nominations does not matter. It doesn’t indicate competitiveness for an appointment.