Sophomore looking for advice

Austin79928

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
2
I'm currently a sophomore and a JROTC cadet. I had a 3.8 in my freshmen year, however this year we transferred from MS to TX because my dad is in the Air Force. The transition period has been more difficult than usual, because Mississippi's curriculum is different than Texas. So for the past term, my GPA suffered a little bit. Although I had a rough start, I am back on my feet, and plan to get back on track and get the best grades I can. I am in JROTC, and was one of the small group of freshman that got a chance to go to a Summer Leadership school, and get promoted to 2nd. Lt, and lead people my age and mostly older. I am on the cross country team, and plan to do more volunteer work. I was just wondering how any of the 5 academies will look at me, compared to other applicants out there, and how I can improve myself. I was also wondering if any other military kids faced any problems with moving schools, and how it affected their chances into the academies.
 
I'm currently a sophomore and a JROTC cadet. I had a 3.8 in my freshmen year, however this year we transferred from MS to TX because my dad is in the Air Force. The transition period has been more difficult than usual, because Mississippi's curriculum is different than Texas. So for the past term, my GPA suffered a little bit. Although I had a rough start, I am back on my feet, and plan to get back on track and get the best grades I can. I am in JROTC, and was one of the small group of freshman that got a chance to go to a Summer Leadership school, and get promoted to 2nd. Lt, and lead people my age and mostly older. I am on the cross country team, and plan to do more volunteer work. I was just wondering how any of the 5 academies will look at me, compared to other applicants out there, and how I can improve myself. I was also wondering if any other military kids faced any problems with moving schools, and how it affected their chances into the academies.

Well I can tell you from MY perspective since I'm in JROTC as well; rank doesn't matter, its the position that you hold in the core and what you do in it. :thumbdown: I'm a fking Master SGT (AS-4) yet I hold a pretty damn high position in my core and have about 200 hours of documented service hours.

I've been to the Summer Leadership school just like you; did you receive the "honor" graduate for being in the top 10% of the graduating class? What about the award for excelling at sports? (If they awarded it at yours). I can say that really helps show that you have a high caliber of leadership, military excellence, and teamwork experience.

Also based from what I've seen on the forums, GPA doesn't matter a whole lot compared to class ranking; you should post what GPA you have for your Sophomore year.

It is good that you have a sport as I've seen a few people apply to the academy with no sports at all and I don't think they will get in because they are not physically prepared/no teamwork relationships. Maybe if you continue cross country you could reach the "varsity" level which is really great on your AFA application. It is track season right now; are you in the sport? Baseball season is also on right now.

Based on what you posted though; if you continue to do them community service projects, keep that really high GPA/class rank, join other clubs and attain high positions, and continue to excel in JROTC, you will be on the "right" track.
 
Last edited:
Here are some things you (and any candidate) can do:

1. Focus on academics--work hard from here on out to ace your classes. Take the most challenging course load (honors, AP, IB) that you can handle and still get good grades--you know your strengths/weaknesses. Take lots of science (including chem and physics) and math (algebra/calc).

2. Since you seem to enjoy it, continue JROTC. Shoot for leadership positions. You would benefit from getting involved in some other extracurriculars, again something you enjoy (so that you'll keep with it) and try to get in to positions of leadership. You didn't really say what kind of volunteering you do, but keep up with it. Quality extra curriculars are better than a huge quantity of activities that you only got involved in on the surface.

3. Keep up with cross country, maybe by jr./sr. years you can become a captain. Consider track as a second sport since you enjoy running. Being part of a team (for the teamwork, working for a common goal, leadership aspects, etc.) is impt. just like the physical fitness part. You'll have to take a fitness test as part of your academy application process, you can research that (AFA has 5 events I think) and start practicing that by your junior year.

4. When the time comes next school year, prep for and take the ACT/SAT, multiple times if necessary, to get your best scores.

All of the academies will be looking for well rounded candidates--ones that can handle many things (school, activities, sports, etc) at a time. If you go back and search this forum you'll find many threads that give advice for high school students considering the academies. I'm sure others will offer advice too, hopefully you'll hear from some military kids that have been in the same spot you're in. Good luck!
 
@Austin.
Your GPA and SAT scores are the most important but they are not only thing they considers. it is 60% of your app. If you have any extra time and I mean any you should do more sports and possibly join something like CAP especially if you want to go USAFA. Sports like football and basketball take up a huge amount of your time. If your school has a track team or swimming or something that almost everyone makes and is less time consuming that is good. You will be able to say you have 7 or 8 letters when you graduate. Also the more activities you have the more things you will be able to talk about in your interviews.

Having said that dont do any activity that will take away so much time that you cant keep a good GPA. Basically the most important thing is figuring out how to balance everything which is what USAFA wants to see in their applicants. Best of luck to you.
 
Back
Top