I've read that the academies look at the profile of the school one attends and weights that in the application process. To be blunt, my school's horrible in terms of mean test scores and other academic areas. I make a 4.0 with AP/honors courses and I'm ranked 13/~500, so will all of this be for nothing since my school isn't very good? I don't think it's fair that someone gets points deducted because other students don't pay attention in class and score well. We follow the same curriculum as everyone else and I've gotten a "Pass+" (highest grade awarded) on all of my state assessments.
Basically, I just want to know if all of my hard work will count for nothing since my school isn't considered to be a good one. Others have said that academies no longer do this; is that true?
Thanks for the help!
I don't know who said the academies no longer look at the school profile; but for air force at least, they most certainly do. And contrary to what you believe, one of the reasons is exactly for people like you.
Do you realize how many "School Districts" there are in the country? I live in the least populated state in the entire country. Wyoming. There isn't one state with fewer people. Yet, we probably have close to 50 school districts in our state alone. Each school district will have some differences in what/how they teach. There are more than 18,000 high schools in the united states. Some have just regular classes available. Some have honor classes. Some have AP classes. Some are fortunate and have the IB (International Baccalaureate) program. Some have lots of sports. Some have very little. Some are home schooled. Some have a lot of students who go on to college; some have very few. How do you think the academy determines how you actually did in high school? How do you think any college determines that?
The number one thing the academy looks at in the profile is "What classes are available". Then,,, they look at: "What classes did you take". Then they look at how well you did in those classes. If your school doesn't have the IB program, currently less than 1000 schools offer it, you aren't penalized for that. If you don't have AP classes and therefor can't take them, you aren't penalized.
However: While an individual won't be penalized for what isn't available to them, they are definitely rewarded for going above and beyond. You are rewarded if you do take AP classes or the IB program. If these aren't available, most school district offer classes for higher students at the community college. Many during their normal high school time and taken instead of certain high school classes. You are definitely rewarded for this.
That's also why the ACT and/or SAT is so important. It is the one constant nationally. And it's not uncommon to see someone with a 3.95 gpa get 25/26 composite on their ACT or 500-550 on their SAT. Or for the 3.5gpa student to get 32-33 ACT and 700+ on their SAT's. Obviously, when the academy sees a "validation" trend such as the person who has the 3.9-4.0gpa unweighted, and they also have the 30+ ACT and/or 675+ SAT, they probably are a very good student. And the ACT/SAT are things that any student, from any school in the country, can do well on if they prepare.
As much as I hate to place blame, one of the main reasons many students don't do as well academically as some others, isn't because of their school; it's because of their parents. A student's success in high school is totally related to their parent's involvement. Which has to start the first day of Kindergarten and continue every day until graduating high school. Mind you I said "many" students. There are some that will kick butt academically and they didn't need any assistance from anyone. And there are some that simply aren't going to be the 3.95-4.0gpa #1 in their class no matter how much assistance and support they get.
I bring this up, because part of the school profile ALO/Admissions looks at is: How many individuals from your school have applied to the academies? How many have actually received appointments? Part of the "Diversity" factor is: Are you the first in your family to attempt going to college? Do you come from a school where few if any every attend college.
So while you might think your school sucks, and you are at a disadvantage, the whole reason for the school profile, is to assist people just like you be compared with students who come from schools that are the best in the country. The paid private schools where everyone has opportunities for any and all classes. Where they have every sport imaginable. But you have to do your part. (I say this part for the freshman, sophomores who still have time to control their academic future). You need to make up for your school's shortcomings by kicking butt on the ACT/SAT. NO, a 26 ACT composite is NOT good enough. It's definitely within minimum standards, but you're probably never going to receive an appointment with those scores. If you've taken the hardest classes at your school, and you're acing those classes, see about taking a summer class in math or sciences at the local community college. When I interview and the academy reviews applications, they want to see the person who challenges themselves and excels. The academies have been doing this for a very long time. They have a pretty good idea how you stand academically. Sorry for the novel, but the school profile is a very important piece of the puzzle to determine an applicant's true academic achievements and capabilities. And if the official school profile is no longer used at some point, there will be some other method of comparing apples with oranges and not winding up with a fuel injector. Basically; a 4.0gpa student means nothing to us unless we know the baseline in which that 4.0gpa was measured.