Freshman Year

rubio1996

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2011
Messages
54
I'm about to enter my sophomore year at a top college preparatory school in my area. I recently got my final freshman year report card. My final GPA was a 3.0 (I don't know whether this is weighted or unweighted). I took two honors classes, Geometry Honors and Chemistry Honors. The Chemistry Honors course in my school is usually taken by strong students in their junior year, and the Geometry Honors course is usually taken by strong students in their freshman or sophomore year. My final grades were a C- in Geometry Honors, an A+ in Concert Band, a C in Chemistry Honors, an A- in Multimedia Design, a B- in English I, a B- in Spanish I, and an A- in Foundations of Civilizations. The classes I will most likely be taking next year are Biology (Honors or Regular), Algebra II, Concert Band, English II, Spanish II (Honors or Regular), and World History AP. Looking at my academics, what should I do to improve, so I can gain a nomination and offer of admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?

I had two unsuccessful campaigns for ninth grade class vice president and school treasurer, but I was elected class alternate representative for the ninth grade class. Over the course of my freshman year, I had over 50 community service hours, which earned me Community Service Honors. I was also a member of my church's youth group. I was cast in my school's spring drama production. Also, I wrote a play and performed a different play for a school drama festival, which had to be written, performed, practiced, and directed within 24 hours of receiving the topic for the play. Looking at my extracurricular activities, what should I do to improve, so I can gain a nomination and offer of admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?

I did not participate in my school's athletic program in my freshman year, as I was focusing on my academics during the transition from a small Catholic middle school to a rigorous college preparatory school. I plan on playing three sports in my sophomore year. Assuming I do everything else correctly for nomination and admission, which sports should I play (assume that I do not have any experience in any of these sports)? These are my options for sports in high school (I may choose one for each season):

Fall Sports:

Cross Country
Soccer


Winter Sports:

Basketball
Wrestling
Swimming


Spring Sports:

Tennis
Lacrosse
Baseball
Golf

Thank you.
 
Find an activity or sport to stay the long haul and to become a leader in that activity or sport. If you are in scouting, go for the Eagle Scout. The Service Academies see that at the same level as being a team captain. Our DS was not involved in sports but was an Eagle Scout, with a ton of other high leadership positions w/in scouting and also a long time member of the Theater Program and President of it come senior year. 1/3 of all who enter the academies are heavily involved in some arts or performing arts. Find something you love, stick with it and excel in it. Sorry I can't answer for the grades. But do take math and science all 4 years and be sure to take physics and chemistry. Calculus if you can too. Why not go straight to the top and call the academy and find out what they are looking for in grades and ACT and SAT results! Good luck.
 
Be sure to get strong and do well in Math and Science, study for the ACT and/or SAT. Visit if possible the academies you are interested in since they all have a different feel. Attend your MOC's Academy night to get as much information about the process possible.

Post any questions - the boards are a great resource.
 
Unless you excel in swimming, forget that. They are looking for swimmers that swim all year long and can compete time wise against NCAA III Division. Swimming just for the winter time will not do it.
Grades? take the SAT and ACT as many times as possible and concentrate in Math and Science. Take AP classes in math and science.
Community involvement - leadership - volunteerism - basically -
A WELL ROUNDED PERSON!
 
The more I read these forums the more I have become convinced my admission was a clerical error. No way I could compete with the kids applying these days.
 
I'm serious. If I was an incoming plebe today I would likely end up a statistic.
 
I'm serious. If I was an incoming plebe today I would likely end up a statistic.

Reminds me of a story told to me recently by DS.....story relayed to him....hearsay......not substantiated....:

A young man appealed his ARB decision for dis-enrollment. He met with the Admiral. Fell on his sword and discussed how young underprepared he was when he entered KP, and how the maturity had taken place and he could indeed remedy the poor grades going forward if given the chance. Admiral replied: Well, I guess we need to sharpen up our admission process then don't we? Decision: Dis-enrolled
 
"... Looking at my academics, what should I do to improve, so I can gain a nomination and offer of admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?....

...... Looking at my extracurricular activities, what should I do to improve, so I can gain a nomination and offer of admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?...

.... I plan on playing three sports in my sophomore year. Assuming I do everything else correctly for nomination and admission, which sports should I play (assume that I do not have any experience in any of these sports)? ....

Wow... I admire your focus and dedication but I really do not understand where you are coming from. That said to your questions:

Academics: Continue to take AP/Honors courses for Math and Science and continue to work on improving your GPA especially if the 3.0 is currently your weighted GPA. That said to my knowledge in addition to your GPA the USMMA Admissions process considers your Class Rank as well so that's something to look at.

Extracurriculars: Do things you enjoy, the community service hours you are doing, I recommend you continue doing, and as noted any sort of leadership position in an extracurricular such as Drum Major in band, or Boys State/Girls State are good things to have in your portfolio and on your applications.

Athletics: Three this year really after zero freshman year? In any case again do sports you enjoy and/or can and do excel at. It's more important to be a well rounded applicant than playing a particular sport if you are not going to be good enough to be recruited as an athlete. That's why I say do one or two that you have fun at and enjoy and can do without adversely affecting your grades.

Good luck
 
Back
Top