Need some advice

Hello SAF!
I'm a junior in high school, and I'm trying to attend Kings Point. My family runs deep in the maritime trade and its one of my goals to get into it. As a sophomore and a freshman, I did not really care too much about grades, mainly because I didnt know what I wanted to do with my life. I visited KP this fall and really liked what I saw, so here we go.

Now that I do know what I want to do, and I'm paying the price by having to retake those classes. My GPA right now is about a 3.0, mainly because of those classes last year and the year before. Last semester however, I had a 4.0 GPA, and this semester will probably be the same maybe even better. So over the summer I'm retaking those classes and I think that will bring my GPA to about 3.5-3.7.

Im a two sport athlete, Football and Track. I really would love to do one of the two in college, I heard that Track is indoors so I think I'd prefer to do Football more. Because of sports and trying to get my grades up I haven't had time for Standardized tests. Im starting my ACTs and SATs now, but on my PSAT I scored a 1200 which translates to an 1800 on the old SAT. Im shooting for a good score on the ACT as well.

Ive also applied for Boys State and a very prestigious leadership camp in my state.

So now I guess my question is, what are my chances of getting in if all goes as planned? And I've faced the possibility that it may be a little too late, but Ive heard that the Academy sometimes sends you to the New Mexico Prep academy, which Im also okay with. Do they do this for everyone?

Thanks guys!

Contact the coach for football. Recruited athletes are reviewed earlier and it may have some benefits, in addition to someone else to talk with during application process. You SAT is good, but try to take a class or tutor to get it higher. Start working on the ap and what you will have to do to get the nomination. It is VERY time consuming. My DD got recruited for West Point but we didn't like that option, so started on this last summer, which was late. Wish we had figured it out earlier!

You say your family runs deep in the maritime trade, would that give you an opportunity to do some sort of internship in the maritime industry? That type of experience would boost your total application package.

First keep up the good hard work and best of luck.

Nobody can tell you how you will stack up or what your chances of getting an appointment are because it changes every year and nobody knows what your competition for acceptance is or will be come next year and depending on what state you live in could have an impact on if you get in or not.

Track is both indoor and outdoor.

Have you done anything else besides sports? Scouts - Eagle Scout? Volunteer anyplace? Active in your community? Work? Are you a captain of your team(s)? Those help but you will still need grades and test scores. You better find the time to study for and take the ACT/SAT tests and if you do not do well you will need to take them again and again until you score as high as you can.

Not everyone is offered prep school.

It's nice that your family has deep ties to the maritime industry, but if you get in to USMMA you will have to do the work and get the grades not your family.

Again best of luck to you and keep up the hard work.

cruisemom67 said:

Contact the coach for football. Recruited athletes are reviewed earlier and it may have some benefits, in addition to someone else to talk with during application process. You SAT is good, but try to take a class or tutor to get it higher. Start working on the ap and what you will have to do to get the nomination. It is VERY time consuming. My DD got recruited for West Point but we didn't like that option, so started on this last summer, which was late. Wish we had figured it out earlier!

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I wish I could give the coach a highlight film or something but for my sophomore and junior year I was injured, unless he wants to watch my freshman tape which I doubt he really will. I've started working on my nomination process, asked a couple teachers for letters of Rec and all. Thank you for the response.

BuckeyeGuy said:

First keep up the good hard work and best of luck.

Nobody can tell you how you will stack up or what your chances of getting an appointment are because it changes every year and nobody knows what your competition for acceptance is or will be come next year and depending on what state you live in could have an impact on if you get in or not.

Track is both indoor and outdoor.

Have you done anything else besides sports? Scouts - Eagle Scout? Volunteer anyplace? Active in your community? Work? Are you a captain of your team(s)? Those help but you will still need grades and test scores. You better find the time to study for and take the ACT/SAT tests and if you do not do well you will need to take them again and again until you score as high as you can.

Not everyone is offered prep school.

It's nice that your family has deep ties to the maritime industry, but if you get in to USMMA you will have to do the work and get the grades not your family.

Again best of luck to you and keep up the hard work.

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Thank you for the reply. I've worked a couple jobs, had to quit the first one because we would have 2 practices a day for football and I couldn't find any shifts that worked. I had one later this year after football ended, I quit that one because the owners had no idea how to run a business. Not saying I do, but there's details I won't go into. Since then I figured focusing on mainly my school and sports would be my best bet.

5Day said:

You say your family runs deep in the maritime trade, would that give you an opportunity to do some sort of internship in the maritime industry? That type of experience would boost your total application package.

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I wish. My dad stopped about some time ago. When I say run deep I mean that my grandfather did it, and his father, so on and so fourth. But I do have a half brother who is currently a captain of a ship.

Nverge said:

I wish. My dad stopped about some time ago. When I say run deep I mean that my grandfather did it, and his father, so on and so fourth. But I do have a half brother who is currently a captain of a ship.

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As stated above, no one can predict your odds of getting in. You are certainly ahead of most in thinking about it in you junior year. My advice? Don't necessarily concentrate on the athletic track to get it. Work on the academics, or you will be eaten alive if you get in. . . Work on the SAT and ACT tests. I took the PSAT and also the SAT a few times, but never improved on my first go around. My grades were not so hot, but my SAT got me in. Extra activities do help. I was a three season "athlete" in high school and I know that helped in both showing that I could carry and academic load and outside activities, too. It also prepared my for the physical testing needed to get in (not really all that difficult for anyone who has been active in high school, truth be told). You do have an edge in that you have an interest and some knowledge of the maritime industry. Many who attend have little that first year. Good luck and also work with your high school guidance counselor. . . Mine was most helpful way back in the day.

A lot of the kids who were sponsored to prep were minorities or athletes that they wanted. With your current GPA and SATs I can say that you 90% won't get in. Your SATs aren't that far off but that GPA will kill it. Get it to at least a 3.4 get your SATs to a 1250 KP doesn't care about the writing section and I'd say you'll probably get in.

"With your current GPA and SATs I can say that you 90% won't get in. Your SATs aren't that far off but that GPA will kill it. "

Whoa, unless this person is an admissions officer, that's a ridiculous statement. As has been stated many times, it all depends on your competition in your state in the year you apply. Class rank counts far more than GPA. SAT/ACT are super important, but you have time to start working on it and improving if they come out low. The upward trend in your GPA will speak for itself. The school profile will also be a factor. No one can count you in or out at this point. If you are from an unrepresented (yes there are some states with zero applicants), with the minimums, you are practically a shoe-in. Work on your leadership. There are field reps who can help you get ready to put your best foot forward. PM me with your area and contact info if you want help.

Mman5247 said:

"With your current GPA and SATs I can say that you 90% won't get in. Your SATs aren't that far off but that GPA will kill it. "

Whoa, unless this person is an admissions officer, that's a ridiculous statement. As has been stated many times, it all depends on your competition in your state in the year you apply. Class rank counts far more than GPA. SAT/ACT are super important, but you have time to start working on it and improving if they come out low. The upward trend in your GPA will speak for itself. The school profile will also be a factor. No one can count you in or out at this point. If you are from an unrepresented (yes there are some states with zero applicants), with the minimums, you are practically a shoe-in. Work on your leadership. There are field reps who can help you get ready to put your best foot forward. PM me with your area and contact info if you want help.

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The admissions folks have said that if one isn't in the top 20% of their class...their chances for admissions are a lot lower. Most likely a 3.0 is not the top 20%. This person isn't a recruited athlete. I would predict a rejection with a small chance of NMMI sponsorship to prep.

I know of examples to the contrary. Every application is unique. If from a highly competitive state, I agree with you. It's probably not enough. But it's worth trying and can compensate with SAT and leadership etc. I appreciate your comments, I just didn't want anyone to think it was too definitive.

Mman5247 said:

I know of examples to the contrary. Every application is unique. If from a highly competitive state, I agree with you. It's probably not enough. But it's worth trying and can compensate with SAT and leadership etc. I appreciate your comments, I just didn't want anyone to think it was too definitive.

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Im from Arizona, it really isnt a highly competitive state for USMMA since were landlocked. Also, no one really knows about it here in scottsdale because everyone is more concerned with going to ASU and partying their ass off.

Nobody can say with any certainty if you will or will not get an appointment - period. Unless of course you are below the minimums set by the academy.

I can guarantee you one thing for sure...if you do not apply you will not get in. So, with that being said, keep up the hard work - continue to do your best - some will say to take the most difficult classes you can others will disagree. You will also need to keep your record clean - no issues with/in the legal arena - in other words stay out of trouble, behave and be good.

One issue that has not been mentioned is DODMERB - you can have all the grades and scores that will get you an appointment, but if you do not pass DODMERB (I am not a medical person) for what ever the reason, you will not get in...assuming you apply for a wavier and are denied.

Again, keep up the good and hard work and best of luck.