Extra Curricular Activities

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HopefulUSNA

5-Year Member
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Mar 24, 2012
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Hey everyone I am just finishing up my freshman year and have been striving for the Naval Academy since I was young. I was wondering what some of the best extra curricular activities are? I am planning on starting Civil air partol and I am doing some volunteering activities. I just want to find out the best things to take part of and start them early so I have the best chance at being accepted!:thumb:


Thank you all in advance!
 
I posted a longer version of this in other extra curricular thread, but start an FBLA chapter and make yourself CEO. My chapter is selling Arnie palmers during our school lunch, it's pretty open what you do, just do something otherwise it looks like you just hold the position, which anyone can do. I am also a freshman.
 
HopefulUSNA said:
Hey everyone I am just finishing up my freshman year and have been striving for the Naval Academy since I was young. I was wondering what some of the best extra curricular activities are? I am planning on starting Civil air partol and I am doing some volunteering activities. I just want to find out the best things to take part of and start them early so I have the best chance at being accepted!:thumb:


Thank you all in advance!
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If you look at the Class of 2015 profile (http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/) you will see a snapshot of the background for those who've received and accepted an appointment. 90% of the incoming class were varsity athletes, 65% Captain/Co-Capt. and 65% had student body leadership. Add a good amount of community service to the mix, with excellent grades and SAT/ACT scores and you'll be very competitive. I'm sure CAP would be a great club to join too. I'd also recommend being a Page in your state's house or senate, as well as Boys' State at the end of your junior year.

Good luck on your goal and it's great you are planning ahead so you can reach it!
 
There are numerous threads asking this or similar questions and the answer from those who know is always the same: there is no "right" EC except one you're passionate about. Doing something because you think it will look good on your application is a recipe for disappointment. Plus, admissions departments can see right through those kinds of activities. Don't join CAP unless you want to fly. But if that's truly your motivation, then becoming the leader of your group is a good thing.
 
HopefulUSNA said:
Thank you! And I was wondering what a page is and how to become one?
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I'm not sure which state you are from but if you look at the website of your area's State Senator, they will have information there. In our state, you have to be between 14-16 years old. The program starts on a Sunday with orientation and you are finished on Friday. Everyone that I know that's participated has had a great time.
 
HopefulUSNA said:
Hey everyone I am just finishing up my freshman year and have been striving for the Naval Academy since I was young. I was wondering what some of the best extra curricular activities are? I am planning on starting Civil air partol and I am doing some volunteering activities. I just want to find out the best things to take part of and start them early so I have the best chance at being accepted!:thumb:


Thank you all in advance!
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It's great that you are planning ahead for your career! As osdad said, the specific ECAs you choose really don't matter, with the exception that, if possible, you should plan to play a varsity-level sport, and you should pick something that is of interest to you, not something you think "will look good." What does matter is that you show that you can balance the demands of sports and ECAs while still earning top grades in the hardest possible courses. It also is important that you find your own personal ways to show leadership ability. That can be done in many ways, and it's not always shown with a title. Good luck and best wishes.
 
I recommend checking out Civil Air Patrol, my experiences as a cadet helped me decide whether a career in the military was right for me or not. The activites offered are things you wouldn't even consider doing as a teenager in high school. The leadership opportunities are plenty and the chance to do something with your life even in high school is always a good thing for that college resume :biggrin:
 
Simply participating in a sport, or any other ECA is laudable, the SA's are looking for you to hold a leadership position. So my suggestion is that you choose among those activities at which you have an interest and talent, to rise into leadership. If you are on a soccer or football team, try to become the captain. If you're into the outdoors, join the Scouts and become an Eagle and a Senior Patrol Leader or Junior Asst. Scoutmaster (incidentally, Scouts offers many opportunities for community service too). If you're in Civil Air Patrol, HS ROTC, FFA, FHA, UIL scholastics, School clubs, whatever...seek to be the leader. You know where you excel, rise into leadership.

And of course maintain outstanding grades and take as many AP and honor classes as you can. Remember always that everybody that competes for a position at the Academy is doing these same things. You MUST be outstanding when the time comes for you to apply. You can do it if this is what you really want.
 
HopefulUSNA,
You remind me of myself a couple years ago! I received my appointment to USNA in February for the Class of 2016! Here is some of my advice that I think boosted me! Like everyone has already said, make sure that you join a sports team and give one hundred and fifty percent so by the time your a junior or senior you will be the captain. Make sure that you know your classmates and have a great personality. You may laugh but your classmates will play a vital role in your application. They are the ones who elect you and allow you to put those appointed positions on your application. If you do not necessarily want to fly, there are other options like JROTC, and Sea Cadets. I did Sea Cadets and they are an amazing experience. Also, when the time arises apply for Boy's state and NASS. The next couple summers though, make sure that you apply for other camps, seminars, and conventions. Try to get in touch with your BGO officer...it's never too early! Stay on your game academically! Take AP courses, Honor classes, and vocational classes if offered. I can not hound you enough to take the ACT/SAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! Retake it over and over and get self-help books! They will become your best friends. Try and start a club at your school. (EX. at my school: Teens Fighting Animal Cruelty-TFAC, Students against violation of the earth-S.A.V.E., Supporting our Soldiers-S.O.S.) Find a job! If you aren't old enough there are always plenty of odd jobs you can do around your neighborhood. These will be the people willing to write a letter of recommendation when the time comes. Also, it is never to early to get in touch with your senators and congressman. There is one piece of advice I cannot stress enough..."The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Your senior year, after you submit your application to your senators and congressman continue to send them letters with your updates! I sent a letter weekly to all three until I heard their final decision. By the way, they all gave me a nomination..so I don't know if that had a large part in it? All I can say is, be the best that you can be and stay involved in everything that you possibly can!!! Best of luck to you and I hope to see you in three years! :smile:
 
MScandidate2016 said:
HopefulUSNA,
You remind me of myself a couple years ago! I received my appointment to USNA in February for the Class of 2016! Here is some of my advice that I think boosted me! Like everyone has already said, make sure that you join a sports team and give one hundred and fifty percent so by the time your a junior or senior you will be the captain. Make sure that you know your classmates and have a great personality. You may laugh but your classmates will play a vital role in your application. They are the ones who elect you and allow you to put those appointed positions on your application. If you do not necessarily want to fly, there are other options like JROTC, and Sea Cadets. I did Sea Cadets and they are an amazing experience. Also, when the time arises apply for Boy's state and NASS. The next couple summers though, make sure that you apply for other camps, seminars, and conventions. Try to get in touch with your BGO officer...it's never too early! Stay on your game academically! Take AP courses, Honor classes, and vocational classes if offered. I can not hound you enough to take the ACT/SAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! Retake it over and over and get self-help books! They will become your best friends. Try and start a club at your school. (EX. at my school: Teens Fighting Animal Cruelty-TFAC, Students against violation of the earth-S.A.V.E., Supporting our Soldiers-S.O.S.) Find a job! If you aren't old enough there are always plenty of odd jobs you can do around your neighborhood. These will be the people willing to write a letter of recommendation when the time comes. Also, it is never to early to get in touch with your senators and congressman. There is one piece of advice I cannot stress enough..."The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Your senior year, after you submit your application to your senators and congressman continue to send them letters with your updates! I sent a letter weekly to all three until I heard their final decision. By the way, they all gave me a nomination..so I don't know if that had a large part in it? All I can say is, be the best that you can be and stay involved in everything that you possibly can!!! Best of luck to you and I hope to see you in three years! :smile:
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"You may laugh but your classmates will play a vital role in your application. They are the ones who elect you and allow you to put those appointed positions on your application"

I disagree with this point. If you are naturally a charismatic person and are popular that will help you hold an officer position, however if you are not then there are plenty of other opportunities to lead. For example, I started tutoring afterschool on my own initiative. The important part of applying is to be yourself!do what you are passionate about.
 
Make sure that you know your classmates and have a great personality. You may laugh but your classmates will play a vital role in your application. They are the ones who elect you and allow you to put those appointed positions on your application.
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Great leadership tip, but some schools let your classmates vote and some have the coaches/teachers select students, this is not within your control. Peer leadership/respect is one of the most difficult to master, so you should "practice" it.

Try to get in touch with your BGO officer...it's never too early!
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Great tip!

Also, it is never to early to get in touch with your senators and congressman. There is one piece of advice I cannot stress enough..."The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Your senior year, after you submit your application to your senators and congressman continue to send them letters with your updates! I sent a letter weekly to all three until I heard their final decision.
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I'd NOT recommend sending a letter to the MOCs on a weekly basis. I'd agree you want to show that you are committed and that you want to keep your application "up-to-date," but realize that for many Senator MOCs, they receive LOTS of applications. At some point, you might convince the SA coordinator or their review board that you are more desperate vs. committed. You should send updates when you need to and try to piggy-back multiple updates on a single letter.

Lastly, don't do activities because they "make you look good." This WILL become evident during your BGO interview, trust me, it will. You need to do activities because it excites/interests you. What I will recommend is that you exhibit leadership skills/positions in the activities you do (where it is possible) and it doesn't have to be as a FR/SO, but by a JR, you want to.
 
Thank you all for your help! I want this more than anything, your advice will deffanitely be put into actions! I sure hope I see you in three years!
:smile:
 
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