<p>What you have to understand is that when your file goes before the admissions board, it will be presented in a very abbreviated format. The admissions board will not thumb through a scrapbook, no matter how alluring you make it. Your file will be read by someone, who will then “brief” the admissions board of your qualifications… such as class rank, SAT scores, leadership positions, varsity sports, etc. Included in that brief will be a summary of your BGO interview, and your BGO recommendation- which are taken under careful consideration. Having sat through several “case studies” this past summer of how candidate files get briefed, trust me when I tell you that even the star athletes did not have one word wasted on what newspapers they had their name in, or how many articles where dedicated to their athletic prowess. (which is not to say a coach many not have had his/her head turned a bit, but even there they are only interested in how high you can jump, how fast you can run, how hard you can hit, and how well you have achieved on the field! They don’t need newspaper clippings to do that!) </p>
<p>Please consider the advice offered here- send the articles to the USNA coach (only if you must) and get him interested in you- (I presume that is the goal)- and let him/her advance your case from there. Again, I still hold this is most unnecessary and will matter little in the big scheme of things. You can ask your BGO if he/she is interested in looking at it, but don’t be surprised if you get a pass there as well- this is not the “meat and potatoes” your BGO is after either. Which is not to say your BGO will not be interesed in your accomplishments- but they want to hear it from you, not read it from a newspaper article, even if it does glow in the dark! </p>
<p>Your goal is to get your accomplishments conveyed to the admissions board.
Present that in the form of an athletic CV or activity CV, or a combination of both, depending on what you have to report. If either of those exceed one page, then tuck a summary page in to highlight KEY accomplishments. The admissions board is looking for key indicators- leadership, physical fitness and mental /scholastic aptitude. Concentrate on highlighting those activities and accomplishments that demonstrate those key components. The rest is just fluff.</p>
<p>I will share one “adage” relayed to me by someone who worked in an admissions office at St. Elsewhere… to put it simply, it went something like this: “the thicker the file, the weaker the applicant.” </p>
<p>Select carefully what you want to have considered when your “few minutes of fame” come to the table… don’t make an admissions board hunt and peck or otherwise wade through some newspaper article to get the info they need to make their decision- the odds are very, very high that they will do no such thing, and it is quite risky, if you ask me. Do you really want to take the chance that they find the key attributes when they are under a time crunch and have to read through your file, and the 50 other ones that are coming right behind it- if you ask me, the odds are better that they will get it if you list it! So keep it simple, and more importantly, keep it succinct- meaning, stick to the essential stuff and leave the fluff out. Keep the file slim but chock full of the essential points!</p>
<p>I am going to offer one other comment, and hope anyone reading this will take it for the good itent in which it is offered. Humility is a good trait in a leader. You are applying to an institution that attracts thousands of really qualified kids- including many, many scholar athletes. You will be standing next to, and amongst, some of the best scholars and scholar athletes from all over the US- and there will be over 10,000+ of you in the mix to get a seat in the next class. No doubt each one of you will have had your picture in some paper, or your name appear in some article, and that is wonderful! But it is small-time compared to what you are entering. While you may have been a big fish in your community, it is a mere puddle compared to what you are entering, and the company you will be keeping. </p>
<p>Bottom line: save the scrapbook for your relatives- they will appreciate it much more!</p>