Sports cannot replace test scores and grades. I am neither varsity letter nor did I do exceptionally well on the CFA but being top of my class and taking advanced classes at a college level is what pulled through. The USNA is VERY academically focused and strongly pushes science and engineering. The more varsity sports the better but you want to make yourself as unique as possible. What can you offer that other typical varsity letters that have it all like you can't offer? Maybe trying to talk to your Blue and Gold Officer about your experiences in France during the interview. If you did any volunteer work list it! Volunteer work is also extra points.
What is a good "hook" for the USNA?
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Happy2BaNavyMom
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My DS, between 2 Varsity sports, a part-time job and full AP course load, had little time for Volunteering. BUT, his HS offers a CLASS called Service-Based Leadership. He spends about 6 hours a week at a local fish hatchery volunteering for some (you can imagine) GROSS jobs and our HS "Clothes Closet" (offers clothes for students in the District who cannot afford). Regarding his application, I think his JOB really helped as one of his Managers wrote an incredible Letter of Recommendation. This day and age, having a job (even part-time) is unique. [At least it is in California]. MOST of his friends (none of his close friends) have a job. He had to take Independent PE (his HS requires 4 years of PT) to fit it in his schedule, but the mile under 7 minutes every 3 weeks is not a problem. I hear so many people say, "He/She just can't find a job!" DO NOT apply on-line. Go business to business in a local strip mall and introduce yourself to every manager there. If the store/business requires that you apply on-line, I guarantee the hiring person will notice your name when it pops up on-line. It's rare that kids search for jobs the old-fashioned way...but both my 23 y.o. MBA daughter and 18 y.o. USNA Appointee did just that. Just a thought.
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Sometimes it is the unique (leadership) activities that candidates participate in that can be the most influential. Do not feel that you have to do all of the "check in the box" activities. Although, I would agree that participating in some form of (team based) sports is a necessity. So if you have a unique activity...find a way to apply some type of leadership, management, and team skills to it.
Trackgirl1999
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I agree. My friends can't believe the amount of hours I put into the dojo teaching kids and going to their karate tournaments and not being paid for it. But the parents appreciate me and the kids do too.
Actually, athletics and leadership are the same category already. Athletics fall under "leadership". Fitness is the CFA alone. I'm not disagreeing with your points though, as being well rounded is key. And being involved in both athletic and nonathletic activities shows balance.
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The only time there is an intersection of athletics/leadership is IF that individual is the team captain or similar position (as is in my original post). In all of the literature provided to BGOs, physical activities (sports/athletics) and leadership are broken apart...this is particularly true with the BGO interview and how records appear to the Admission Board. I would also argue that if one plays on a sports team, that doesn't necessarily mean they demonstrated "leadership," as USNA1985 alluded to in her post regarding the role of a team captain.
Also, the CFA appears in the physical activities section.
Also, the CFA appears in the physical activities section.