What sports should I participate in to help for admission to the Academy?

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peterdoyle

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What sports should I participate in to help for admission to the Academy?
I'm entering high school this year, and I was wondering what sports I should participate in during high school to help for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Academically, I have a strong background, and during my freshman year, I will even be taking an honors chemistry course designed for juniors. I know that the Merchant Marine Academy will prefer me doing something that I love, but I have no experience in any of the sports that my new school offers, and I want to pick up a new sport in high school. With that said, which sports from this list should I participate in during high school to help me for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?

These sports are the only ones offered at my school.

[Choose One Sport Per Season Only From This List (Assume you have equal or no experience in any of these sports)]

Fall Sports Season
- Cross Country
- Soccer

Winter Sports Season
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Wrestling

Spring Sports Season
- Lacrosse
- Tennis
- Baseball
- Golf

Also, please explain why you would choose the specific combination? Thank you very much.
 
Please don't make multiple thread with the same question. Most of us will read all the sub-forums for each academy. Refer to my post in the other forum for my previous input.
 
Darts - demonstrates your ability to be "on target"

Bowling - demonstrates hand eye coordination and assuming the admissions director is a beer drinker bowling may appeal to his/her weekend hobby

Billiards - playing pool should be a prereq for any future officer. Fighter pilot wanna be should substitue with "crud"

Frisbee golf - a favorite regimental physical training event. Demonstrated expertise in this sport may expidite your rise to company PT officer

Asking this question for the second time. Priceless
 
bugsy said:
Darts - demonstrates your ability to be "on target"

Bowling - demonstrates hand eye coordination and assuming the admissions director is a beer drinker bowling may appeal to his/her weekend hobby

Billiards - playing pool should be a prereq for any future officer. Fighter pilot wanna be should substitue with "crud"

Frisbee golf - a favorite regimental physical training event. Demonstrated expertise in this sport may expidite your rise to company PT officer

Asking this question for the second time. Priceless
Click to expand...

:yllol:

Like I said earlier in the USMA forum... wrestling.
 
Going on the notion of something that will look good on paper - from that list, I'd probably not do golf or tennis since those two are not particularly big at KP. All of the others are well established and have dedicated coaches so not only does it look good on your application, but if you stand-out, you may be recruited (or at least get a coach to influence your application in a good way).

Do you have any sailing experience? Are there any waterfront opportunities where you live? Sailing teams? Rowing? Such sports are heavily recruited at KP - moreso than football or any other varsity sport.

Ultimately though, pick one that you'll be good at and will enjoy.
 
Fall Sports Season
- Pocket Billards/Pool to prepare you for Plebe Year before recognition and overnight liberty;

Winter Sports Season
- Competitive eating since you indicate " have no experience in any of the sports that my new school offers, and I want to pick up a new sport in high school." you may as well pick one where you might be able to compete at the world championship level;

Spring Sports Season
- Lacrosse: since I think any sport where it's legal to beat your opponent with a stick AS LONG AS YOU KEEP BOTH HANDS ON YOUR STICK is just too cool and if you can get good at that you won't care whether they reinstate IT or not.:biggrin:

Seriously just pick one or two you think you might enjoy and go have fun.
 
Last edited:
jasperdog said:
Fall Sports Season
- Pocket Billards/Pool to prepare you for Plebe Year before recognition and overnight liberty;

Winter Sports Season
- Competitive eating since you indicate " have no experience in any of the sports that my new school offers, and I want to pick up a new sport in high school." you may as well pick one where you might be able to compete at the world championship level;

Spring Sports Season
- Lacrosse: since I think any sport where it's legal to beat your opponent with a stick AS LONG AS YOU KEEP BOTH HANDS ON YOUR STICK is just too cool and if you can get good at that you won't care whether they reinstate IT or not.:biggrin:

Seriously just pick one or two you think you might enjoy and go have fun.
Click to expand...

You left out 12 ounce curls and, uh, oh, never mind.
 
For the OP . . .

First, as noted, please don't make the same posts in multiple forums. Yes, you MAY get different answers but it's annoying and against site rules.

Second, you should pick a sport that interests you, not one based solely on what you think will help you get into a SA. You may well be doing this sport for 4+ years, so you might as well enjoy it.

For SAs, team sports are good as are sports that require a lot of running. That said, many successful SA applicants participate in individual sports and sports that require less running, such as wresting (for men) or sailing (both genders).

As one of the above posters noted, if you have ideas of continuing your sport at a SA (varsity, club or intramural), you should check out what each SA offers and at what level(s). However, as a general rule, most SAs offer a wide variety of sports on all levels and, even if your particular sport isn't offered, if you like sports and are in good shape, you may find a new sport that interests you.

Of the ones you listed, I would shy away from golf as your only sport. It's fine to do that in addition to any of the other sports listed. It is better to commit to one sport (or two) and do it/them really well for 4 years than to hop around from sport to sport each year. That's why you should pick something that you at least think you'll enjoy and that you might be good in based on your physical attributes and skill set.
 
Pick a sport you enjoy and stick to it.
Keep your academic grades as high as possible
Do well on your SAT/ACT
Work on the CFA skills
Get a nomination from an MOC
The above will help you get into USMMA
Good luck in High School and post your questions, just remember you do not have to duplicate general questions.
 
Doesn't matter kid. Do something you love and enjoy. Some kids play three sports, some play one and are involved in other activities, others work part-time cutting grass. Just try to be well rounded and involved. Keep your grades up and take the SAT/ACT test as many times as possible. We're looking for the whole student. So keep that in mind. All the best.

LT Broxton
USMMA Admissions
 
As a point of reference, I played football, wrestled and ran track. I also had two part time jobs.
 
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