[Tamster548]

Our team, born 5 years ago, started out with these problems. Too many people showed up at a minimum number of meetings for the opportunity of a free trip and a chance to throw the words "FIRST Robotics" up on their college applications.

Two years ago, the mentors decided to have "try-outs" for the first time. Students had to fill out an application about what they were interested in, and they had to write a resume to show what they have been involved in and their high school history of extra-curriculars. Finally, they had to undergo an interview with a group of mentors.

That year (the first year there were tryouts), our team worked amazingly and placed 1st and one regional and 3rd at another. However, this was because out of over 50 students, it was easy to narrow it down from 23 because the mentors knew who/ they were getting.

Since then, each year has become more difficult with this process. Newer students do not know what they are getting into untill they are "stuck with it" while students that are not selected, end up caring more than some of the non-shower-uppers on the team.

I think selection is a good thing. After all, 6 weeks is extremely short and robotics is an extremely expensive program to fun. But I don't think that this is the way to go because like I said, wit this selection process, you end up with people who don't care, and miss out on people who do.

So here's my proposal. Have a mock build-season in the fall right when school ends. Let anyone be a part of this who wants to be, and propose a challenge (even designing a universally themed robot within 6 weeks as a prep to the actual build season). Have some way to evaluate who worked hard and was involved, and who only showed up once in awhile. Then have a selection/elimination right before the Kickoff and that's your team.

What do you think?