Recruited Athletes

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
1

<p>I will be applying for class of 2013.</p>

<p>I have been wondering…as I read all of the discussions about applying to a service academy…</p>

<p>Right now the acceptance letters to the service academies are being mailed…I run cross country and track . In Cross Country the signing day is February…what do you do if you are offered a scholarship do you wait to sign until you get the letter from the academies???</p>

<p>From what I have read on the board some people do not hear until April or even later??? anybody else in this possible situation???</p>

2

<p>My S got his LOA relatively early in the fall, had his official recruiting visit in November, and had the nomination in Jan, which left plenty of time to consider other official DIV I offers. Contact the coach now and get that ball rolling.</p>

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<p>Just curious Kmjg, what sport do you play?</p>

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<p>I'm going to guess that he runs cross country and track. ;)</p>

5

<p>kmjg; If you are going to be recruited by the academy for your sport, then they have done a lot of homework on you. They know your athletic potential for contribution to the team. They also know your academics, gpa, sat/act, ranking, etc.... I have been told by both football and basketball coaches that they WON'T make you an offer for the academy for athletics unless they are extremely confident that you will be able to get an appointment.</p>

<p>So what I'm saying is; if the coaches for that sport are talking to you this summer or fall and are making you any type of an offer, then there's a real good chance you could go to the academy. This gives you more than enough time come February to make a decision. If you haven't been approached by coaches from the academy, and you're expecting to walk on, then yes indeed you are taking a chance of not knowing about your academy acceptance until March/April. Only you know the answer to this.</p>

<p>Remember; just because the athletic department may have a certain amount of "Slots" or some pull in the process of getting an athlete an appointment, doesn't mean it's a guarantee. These recruited athletes need to be academically stellar just like those trying to get to the academy without the thought of playing a sport at the Division I level. In other words, you could be one of the best at cross country and track, but if you have a 2.5gpa, they "probably" aren't going to talk to you. The academy's #1 priority is getting cadets who are going to become military officers. </p>

<p>Now, if you happen to have both sides working for you; especially academics; then it is quite possible that you will know about your options with plenty of time to decide. If you've read these threads, then you know that that in November and December that a couple hundred applicants will receive their appointments or LOA's. Appointments are obviously a guarantee, but LOA's are very strong. Almost a guarantee. While this is only a couple hundred out of the 1700 offers that will be given, it helps with providing time for decisions. The reason I brought this up, is because of these few hundred applicants, they were already in academically, and the athletics portion actually happened later. So, if you are stellar academically and have the "Whole Package" that the academy is looking for, and you've completed your ENTIRE application by the first of September, then there's a chance that your appointment/loa can come in the fall and it gives you even more time to work with.</p>

<p>Again, only you know the answer to all these questions. You know your gpa, class ranking, ACT/SAT, volunteer time, physical fitness, leadership achievements, extra curriculum, and in your main question; your athletic recruitability. Only you know if you will have enough time between February's signing day and whether you will have a chance at the academy. Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all of the input....this is truly a great place to come with questions!</p>

<p>I am a female cross country/track athlete. I am strong in my academics and test scores...and very sound athletically, my real worry is so are LOTS of other people. </p>

<p>I am fairly certain that I will get combo altheltic/academic offers from other public/private schools.. but have my heart set on USAFA. So my big worry is timing...I think like everything else in life it is a matter of timing.....
Thanks for the help!</p>

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<p>christcorp can definitely help out with the sport recruiting part, seeing as he went through it all. but in regards to the application: get it done as soon as you can! if you think everything is up to par, your test scores, your CFA events, go ahead and turn everything in. my app was done in mid-october and i got an LOA in december. earlier is better, almost always, unless you have something to majorly improve. but if your scores are at or above average, get it in as soon as you can. if an LOA or early appointment doesnt come your way, then the rest is up to you.. i'm sure if you accepted a scholarship in february but then got an appt to the AFA in march or so, you could reject the scholarship if you still wanted to. it's all up to you! best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Yes; HNeedle is dead on about getting the application done early. My son had his entirely completed in July. This allowed him to be considered during the early appointments in November. Nothing is guaranteed of course, but if your SAT/ACT are done and decent; if you've got the GPA, class rank, etc... Then there is really nothing else that you can gain by waiting until the fall to have your application submitted. The sooner it's in, the more time you will have.</p>

<p>Word of advice on trying to get things done early. Part of the application is having 3 of your teachers give recommendations. I believe it's a math, english, and a teacher of choice. I can't quite remember because it's been almost a year. BUT, if you could get a hold of these teachers in advance, then when they receive the email asking for their assessment, it will be quick. If you don't talk to them until after you totally wait for the online application to begin, you may not be able to get a hold of them until after school restarts in the fall. Also, being ready to take you CFA as early as possible will help also.</p>

<p>Out of the 10,000 +/- that will show ANY interest in the academy, only about 1000 will have their application totally complete by September. If you can get into the early considerations, it will give you more time. My son busted his butt, but in looking back, he has said a number of times it was well worth it. He was able to start his senior year without any of the pressures of trying to apply. For what it's worth, he also did all of her other college apps early also. He had all the schools done by September. It makes for a nice Senior year. The the hardest thing is which school to choose. Good luck</p>

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<p>Fencersmother -- I'm dying to know if your son has made his decision yet? Or is he waiting for after the appointee orientation weekend? I just got back from dropping our son off after their spring break. He is truly enjoying himself, especially now that he has been recognized.</p>