What should I do?

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rubio1996

5-Year Member
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Jun 27, 2011
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I was cast in my school's spring drama production. Also, I wrote a play and performed a different play for my school's drama festival, which had to be written, performed, practiced, and directed within 24 hours of receiving the topic for the play. I did not participate in my school's athletic program in my freshman year, as I was focusing on my academics during the transition from a small Catholic middle school to a rigorous college preparatory school. I plan on playing three sports in my sophomore year (Cross Country/Wrestling, Swimming, or Basketball/Lacrosse). However, by playing sports in my sophomore year, I would not be able to participate in my school's fall or spring drama productions. I would still be able to participate in the annual drama festival, though. My options are the following (for the sports, assume that I have no experience in any of them and for the drama productions, assume the fall and spring productions are equal and that I will still be participating in the drama festival):

- Participate in the Fall and Spring Drama Productions, Play a Winter Sport (Wrestling, Swimming, or Basketball)

- Participate in the Fall Drama Production, Play a Winter Sport (Wrestling or Basketball) and a Spring Sport (Lacrosse)

- Participate in the Spring Drama Production, Play a Fall Sport (Cross Country) and a Winter Sport (Wrestling, Swimming, or Basketball)

- Do Not Participate in the Drama Productions, Play a Fall Sport (Cross Country), a Winter Sport (Wrestling, Swimming, or Basketball), and a Spring Sport (Lacrosse)

Assuming I do everything else right (academically, extracurricular activities, etc.), out of these four options, which one would look better for nomination and admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?
 
Also, for the Winter Sport, can someone please help me decide between Wrestling, Swimming, and Basketball? Which would the Academy rather see excellence in? The only one I've had experience on a team would be Basketball (but it was only for my Catholic middle school, and I wasn't very good).
 
Whoa son, the first thing you should do is relax and take a deep breath. My concern for you is that you are looking for other people to make decisions for you in order to build a silver bullet resume. If you are not making choices based on your own preferences and interests you may have trouble achieving the excellence you reference.

That being said, your focus is admirable and you are right to be thinking about it this early in your HS career. A failure to plan is a plan to fail.
 
If you are not good in sports, why play? I believe they are looking for sports kids that excel in their field. Not saying you could not be a late bloomer. I know for a fact that unless you have quick times that can only come from swimming for years and year round, you probably won't make the cut.
Just because you played that sport doesn't mean that will even look at you. There are many kids that enter KP without playing any sport or playing in the band.
Concentrate on your studies, math and science especially, volunteer and become a leader in what you are good at. There isn't a set list of what K P is looking for, they are just looking for an all around high school student that can handle the math and science that you will be doing the first year. Calculus 1 & 2, Physics 1 & 2. These are the classes that stump those that are not strong in math and science.
Hope this helps
 
My opinion

I believe that unless you are being recruited to play a particular sport at KP or you are a Team Captain (leadership), that sports are not that important (other than to maintain physical fitness). You would be better off pursuing those extracurricular activities that you excel at (or some community service) and concentrate on your grades especially math and science, along with your SAT/ACT scores..
 
Looking back, I'll probably play a Fall Sport (Cross Country) and a Winter Sport (Basketball or Wrestling). I'll participate in the Spring Drama Production and the School Drama Festival, as I did this year. Although Basketball is the only sport I have team experience in, the only problem is that I am not nearly as good as the varsity, or even some of the junior varsity, basketball players, and therefore, I would probably not be given any leadership roles, such as captain or co-captain. Wrestling is a much smaller team, so there would be a better chance for me to become captain/co-captain. Can someone please help me decide which one would be a better fit for me?
 
rubio1996 said:
Looking back, I'll probably play a Fall Sport (Cross Country) and a Winter Sport (Basketball or Wrestling). I'll participate in the Spring Drama Production and the School Drama Festival, as I did this year. Although Basketball is the only sport I have team experience in, the only problem is that I am not nearly as good as the varsity, or even some of the junior varsity, basketball players, and therefore, I would probably not be given any leadership roles, such as captain or co-captain. Wrestling is a much smaller team, so there would be a better chance for me to become captain/co-captain. Can someone please help me decide which one would be a better fit for me?
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Have you ever wrestled? Wrestling requires a level of fitness far and above an other sport that I have participated in, about level to that when I played rugby, but without all of the beer drinking.

Not only is there a conditioning aspect to wrestling, it is very much a thinking and strategy sport. You should choose a sport that you have a passion for, not one where the odds are in your favor for a leadership role. Captains/co-captains, or at least effective ones are those that have a passion for their sport and an ability. I think that you are heading into it all wrong. Wrestling is certainly not a sport entered into casually. There was a movie back in the 80's, Vision Quest, I think it was called. Aside from the usual teen "coming of age" stuff, it showed some of what folks even at the high school level were willing to do to compete.

I participated in sports all three seasons, for most of my high school years. Fall was football (with one year running cross country for a very competitive season where I got cut from football), Winter was wresltling and Sprint was track. I was certainly not a gifted athlete, but I was competitive. Participation is the important thing. Participation and a passion, not just for a specific goal, but for your overall well being.

It is good that you are thinking along the lines to get into the Academy, but also have a fall back plan.
 
I found wrestling easier than ice hockey. :biggrin: :wink:

Of course, both gave me something to remember them by... wrestling a broken right arm, hockey a torn left labrum.
 
Okay. So, I have narrowed it down to two options:

- Participate in the Fall and Spring Drama Productions, Play a Winter Sport (Wrestling)

- Participate in the Spring Drama Production, Play a Fall Sport (Cross Country) and a Winter Sport (Wrestling)

Between these two, can someone please help me make a decision?
 
rubio1996 said:
Okay. So, I have narrowed it down to two options:

- Participate in the Fall and Spring Drama Productions, Play a Winter Sport (Wrestling)

- Participate in the Spring Drama Production, Play a Fall Sport (Cross Country) and a Winter Sport (Wrestling)

Between these two, can someone please help me make a decision?
Click to expand...

If I were you I'd smoke a couple of bowls and then go with whatever "feels right"...
 
Academies/universities/employers want people who can make their own decisions and have the ability to explain why they made a given choice. Those who choose wisely tend to move along a bit more rapidly. While it is true people tend to judge you by the decisions you make, when you make the decision that is right for you, you care little about the judgments of others. But one thing you should cherish is the freedom to make a decision, and live by it. Many are not so fortunate.
 
I recommend dumping the spring/fall dramas and doing sports to build up some muscle. You'll need it to get through PT.
 
How about band? KP has the only all student band! They are a great organization for those who are interested and I believe they have the highest graduation rate of all the group organizations. It may be a good match for some one who likes performance over athletics. As I understand it they are having a time of trying to fill their numbers. Obviously high test scores, GPA, nomination, Leadership, physical fitness etc. Are all necessary to gain an appointment, I'm just sayin'.

Side note: if a pleebe started or join a signing group would they be "glebes"?

Not my family, we can't carry a tune in a bucket!
 
Oh dear, am I mistaken? If so it is a frequent occurrence, darn it. I just bet the USCGA has a student only band as well. Ya, maybe Rubio would be better suited there with more drama when KP kicks your butt! Spank! Kidding, kidding! Love USCGA and Luigi! Please do set me straight anytime.
Go KP Beat CG
 
have not read all the other replies, but would highly recommend cross country for fall and 100% swimming for winter sport. Swimming is a fairly important thing to master at a maritime school.........just saying.
 
Lynpar said:
I just bet the USCGA has a student only band as well.
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Yep, 8 of them.

  • Regimental Marching Band
  • NiteCaps Jazz Band
  • Pep Band
  • Concert Band
  • Pipe & Drum Band
  • Polished Brass Quintet
  • Saxations Sax Quartet
  • Windjammers Drum & Bugle Corps
 
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