Sport vs. Grades

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blackandgold21

New Member
Joined
May 27, 2015
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Hello all,
I am a college student applying to West Point. I have the opportunity to walk on to the Crew team at my college, but since it is first semester, I am a little worried about my grades taking a hit with the time commitment. I am a AROTC cadet (non-contracted), I have two science classes with labs, a foreign language, and an English class. If I row, I will have to switch or drop my Chem class and lab. If I don't do rowing, I am planning to get involved with community service. I also have several varsity sports and letters from high school, and I was a team captain in two sports.
My question is: Will my WCS take a bigger hit if I do rowing now but possibly have lower grades or focus on grades and community service for now and try rowing spring semester?

Thank you!
 
Think about how the Admissions Board looks at a candidate. The big thing that all Academies hate is people who flunk out or quit as it creates a hole in the class, a hole in a future assignment, is a waste of money, and a waste of a slot for someone who could/would stay. West Point offers one of the toughest educations in the country and academics are a true buzz saw. The WCS is made up 60% academics. A college student student's big advantage over a high school student is that the college student has proven exactly what he/she can do at college level academics. The Academies want college students to take courses that mimic Plebe year. Hmmmm.....do we have any dots we can connect here?
 
My son applied from college last year. He was advised to take classes that showed he could handle college work (Calc, chem, comp, etc). He made dean's list and is now a plebe. I suggest forgetting crew and making A's instead. My $.02.
 
Thank you! That's what I'm leaning towards, mainly because I don't want to switch my Chem class around. It's great to get another opinion!
 
Another perspective is what is more likely to help you if you don't get into West Point - chemistry class or Crew. At a certain point in our lives, you have to give up what we want to do and do what we should do. A solid academic foundation/performance in college usually results to grad school/jobs. What will doing Crew get you?
 
Guess I'm a crew fan here and appreciate the athleticism it takes. For those of you who enjoy 1936 Olympic history... Boys In the Boat is a terrific book with a movie soon to be released. The link is a short video from the author.
 
You never said if you applied to WP in h.s. or just now started thinking of WP. If you were turned down on your prior attempt, I would focus on improving those things you might have gotten feedback on.
 
time2 said:
You never said if you applied to WP in h.s. or just now started thinking of WP. If you were turned down on your prior attempt, I would focus on improving those things you might have gotten feedback on.
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I didn't apply in high school, I started my application in the spring of senior year.
 
MemberLG said:
Another perspective is what is more likely to help you if you don't get into West Point - chemistry class or Crew. At a certain point in our lives, you have to give up what we want to do and do what we should do. A solid academic foundation/performance in college usually results to grad school/jobs. What will doing Crew get you?
Click to expand...

I was thinking that crew would help with the leadership and teamwork aspect of West Point but I'm getting the idea that the grades are more important for me at this point since I already have ROTC/ leadership positions and athletics. Thank you!
 
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