Varsity letters related to appointments

BravoTL

USMA Class of 2028
Joined
Jan 14, 2021
Messages
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I'm not the most gifted athlete out there. I make strong efforts, and don't quit, but it seems I'm not rewarded for this. As a sophomore who has done two seasons of football, with no varsity letter, one season of wrestling, with no letter, and one season of track, with no letter, is this normal for a USMA applicant thus far? I know it says a vast majority of appointees are varsity athletes, but how many of them were athletes who had varsity letters freshman year, etc. Will this put me behind on my application? Thank you for all feedback, and I'm sure others are wondering the same thing.
 
You’ve probably seen that more than 90% of DOD SA cadets/mids played varsity sports in high school. Some were stars, some were scrubs. But the main thing the SAs like about varsity athletes is that they had prime opportunity to develop competitiveness, teamwork, leadership, perseverance, discipline, determination, resilience and time management. The cadets/mids without varsity letters were able to demonstrate that they gained these traits and attributes via other activities. So if you’re able to do the same, then the lack of a varsity letter doesn’t have to be a handicap.
 
TJ, I'm unclear what is your question. My DD has played on her varsity teams from freshmen year. So, she will list in her athletic accomplishments that she's been a multi-sport varsity athlete. Are you saying you have been on the Junior Varsity (JV) teams vs. Varsity teams?
 
Thank you for the question. I had the same question before, as my school doesn't offer varsity letter for all the sports. But since I want to apply for SA, I can't think much for what is out of my hands. So I left it and continue my application. The overall impact is more important than the letter.
 
TJ, I'm unclear what is your question. My DD has played on her varsity teams from freshmen year. So, she will list in her athletic accomplishments that she's been a multi-sport varsity athlete. Are you saying you have been on the Junior Varsity (JV) teams vs. Varsity teams?
Most schools have a requirement to play a minimum amount in order to be awarded a varsity "letter." So there could be players who were on the Varsity team, but due to lack of play time, they do not letter.
 
I'm not the most gifted athlete out there. I make strong efforts, and don't quit, but it seems I'm not rewarded for this. As a sophomore who has done two seasons of football, with no varsity letter, one season of wrestling, with no letter, and one season of track, with no letter, is this normal for a USMA applicant thus far? I know it says a vast majority of appointees are varsity athletes, but how many of them were athletes who had varsity letters freshman year, etc. Will this put me behind on my application? Thank you for all feedback, and I'm sure others are wondering the same thing.


Yes, you are a sophomore and that is normal (depending on the sport and school, and not as a recruited athlete) to not have a varsity letter yet. It is assumed you will play varsity football next fall as a junior when you are in the application cycle, correct? Maybe you can get moved up to varsity wrestling this winter or track this spring?

Assuming the rest of your application is as strong as possible, you are in the same boat as many applicants that are ultimately admitted and even those that have not played a sport at all.
 
How in love with with Football? Do you think you could switch gears to X-Country and get a guaranteed letter in the fall?

I see you do track. I don't know if that is long distance or not.

I know some wrestlers do X-Country to build endurance.

I probably wouldn't switch sports unless it was a sure thing. Even then it's a risky proposition.
 
I got an appointment last year to USMA without any sports. Sports is a big factor, but it isn't the only deciding factor.
 
TJ, I'm unclear what is your question. My DD has played on her varsity teams from freshmen year. So, she will list in her athletic accomplishments that she's been a multi-sport varsity athlete. Are you saying you have been on the Junior Varsity (JV) teams vs. Varsity teams?
Question, what if candidate played varsity but not varsity? As if senior year?
 
Question, what if candidate played varsity but not varsity? As if senior year?
zombie thread...but it all depends on whether you can list varsity participant vs varsity letter. Each has its own amount of WCS points. Both are good; one is better.
 
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