<p>We’ve searched this forum a bit and found a few references to the term and the potential implications but can anyone shed some more light on what it means to be told by a coach at the Air Force Academy; “he has Blue Chipped you”. </p>
<p>Based on past posts the comments range from “the coach will help push your application through admissions” to “you’re in”. </p>
<p>Are there any other implications relative to Air Force Academy Preparatory School etc. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>According to the handy dandy wikipedia!</p>
<p>
The term "blue chip" is commonly used to describe athletes who are being targeted to be drafted or signed by teams at the next level. It is most commonly used to describe high school players being recruited by college teams, but can also refer to collegiate players being scouted by professional franchises.</p>
<p>"Blue chip" players have proven themselves to be amongst the best at their respective positions in their sports and are more sought after than other players. They are typically perceived as "can't miss" prospects who are desired by most organizations. Blue chip athletes are likely to have an immediate impact on teams that acquire them and have proven skills rather than speculative or untapped potential.
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<p>Basically thats what they mean when the term "blue chipped" is used. Being blue chipped provides a great advantage to getting into the AFA. Of course good grades, etc. must be had, but it gives an immense boost.</p>
<p>I can shoot it from the other side. Being "Blue Chipped" here at the prep means that you are a recruited athelete that may not have been competitive in other areas. We get a lot of those here: Swimming, football, soccer, wrestling, track... we get them all.</p>
<p>BlueSuiter, </p>
<p>If you are at prep do you participate in your sport for the year you are there? I assume if you are recruited for a specific sport they would want you to stay in shape and practice?</p>
<p>The way I see it, is if you are qualified(Air</a> Force Academy - Academic Preparation)
but maybe not very competitive, and you are "blue chipped" then you will probably get in. However, if you are not qualified, but close and "blue chipped" then you may get a prep school slot. If someone knows where to find more details on "qualified" feel free to add that, I can't remember where I read it.</p>
<p>For the most part, yes they do a good job of letting atheltes continue working in their sport but some, like track and field, there just aren't enough of to get a team going. In those cases the C/Cs can request an alternative pc program that will give them a good enough workout to pass the CFA/PFT and still help them in their sport.</p>
<p>From what I understand, being blue-chipped means that the coach is strongly advocating for you to the board. The coaches only get a certain number of blue chips per year, and it's the their way of saying, "I want this person." </p>
<p>I think it's one of those unofficial "in's" ... meaning they can't officially say that you've been accepted, but you're nearly guaranteed acceptance in the near future.</p>
<p>So along those lines; does Blue Chipped typically lead to a LOA or do the majority of Blue Chipped applicants move through the application process normally with the additional benifit of having a coach "advocate" on their behalf? I assume some of this depends on the visibility of the sport they play; football vs. tennis and how/if you were recruited directly by the coach.</p>
<p>I am not sure, I know that the majority of the freshman on my tennis team that were blue-chipped got LOA's, but we also had really good academic composite scores. There were some that just got normal accpetance letters as well</p>