Admission??

[mswan.school]

I have just finished freshman year of high school and even before the beginning the only thing on my mind was admission. My sister went to the summer seminar and this preview of the academy got me hooked. I'm working as hard as I can, and doing everything I can to get in. How does my resume look so far and is there anything that stands out that I need to do.

~3.85 GPA
-Cross Country, Winter Track, Spring Track.
-All Honor Classes.
-Volunteer every weekend at local stables. (Approx. 5+ hours Per Day)
-Began Private Pilot schooling from my father.
-My father is a Colonel.
-Becoming a life guard.

****This is my blog that I started at the beginning of freshman year and I will continue through senior year, where I post my progress and what is going on. http://themidswan.livejournal.com/

THANKS,
Matthew.

 

[Redbull{wings}]

Looks good just stay on track. Looks like your very involved outside school which is good. Right now I'd say the biggest thing is just keep working on academics and towards those ACT and SAT scores.

Also, I know your only a freshman, but look for leadership poistions! Looks like you have lots of sports so go for captain and try for supervisor positions in your job and in volunteering. Those will help you greatly.

 

[Texasrocks]

work the track so you become a recruited athlete, that will help

 

[Mikeandcris]

Leadership

Looks good....gymnastics and running, which means you can probably do 15 pull-ups with just one hand! Keep the upper body strong (pull-ups, push-ups and throwing.) Be the captain of the cross country and track teams (if they have one.) It's never too early to practice the SAT...especially over the summer. Keep up the great work.

 

[OBXmom]

I suggest taking both SAT and ACTs. They are formatted differently and most people will do significantly better on one than the other. (The SAT flip flops between math and english for six segments. The ACT has all math, and then all english.) People's brains respond better to one format or the other.
We are from the East coast, so most folks just take SAT's here. My son had taken the SATs three times, and then fall of his senior year he took ACTs for the first time. He scored (the equivalent of) almost 200 points higher.
I recommend taking both early. You will know which format works better for you. And then take it multiple times.
With the number of applications the service academies are receiving, the competition seems to be getting keener and keener. You have to be well rounded (which it seems you are well on your way) but your SAT/ACT scores are unfortunately (in my opinion) an easy measure which is given much weight by the academies and your senators and congressmen.
What will help you most, is that you have a goal to work towards!
Good Luck!

 

[OBXmom]

Also, for any high schoolers who play a fall sport, especially football, plan on taking the SATs/ACTs twice during the spring of your junior year. Or once in spring and once in the summer. The reason is this: Alot of kids count on getting their best SAT/ACT score fall of senior year. SAT/ACTs are always given on a Saturday (at least around here). Our football games were all on Friday nights and began at 7:00pm. We had to travel in excess of three hours for most of our games, and getting home at midnight after being tackled 32 times doesn't fall under recommended activities for the night before your tests! If you've taken them multiple times and have already gotten scores you're happy with, the pressure will be off. I saw too many of his teammates that had blown it off in the spring and summer, and were needing to get their best scores in the fall. One boy even fell asleep during the exam! It takes some planning, but its well worth it!