Almost Done!

[CGA17]

Ok! So I joined this forum over a year ago and have been working on myself for my academy application since freshman year. First and foremost, can someone tell me where I stand--I know I will get a whole bunch of "no-one knows for sure", but I need an honest opinion on where I stand as people's polite demeanor sometimes gets in the way. I'm Not trying to be a "jerk" or anything...

Thanks!

Academics:
3.8/4.0, top 10% of H.S. class
680 Math, 670 Reading, 660 Writing (SAT)
Took Chem, Physics, Biology and AP Environmental, 8 AP total, Honors Precalc, no calc...

Marching Band, Capt.
Tennis (Varsity 12, JV 10, 11)
Nat'l Honor Society, A co-chair of committee
Tri-M Music Honor Society, PR Officer
400 volunteer hrs. @ Hospice
Bugles Across America
Region Band
Founded and run a school group
Peer Mediation
Rotary Youth Leadership Conference
Prez.'s Volunteer Award
Part Time Job (Summer)

USNA Summer Seminar
Boys State
Rotary Youth Leadership Conference
Invited and attended USNA Sept. CVW

DoDMERB--Results pending but told by doc no complications (knock on wood)
CFA--retaking...

Thanks ahead of time! As I said please be honest. I know nobody knows for sure, but an honest evaluation would be nice to know where to focus these last important months!

Thanks!
TrumpetTennis

 

[CGA17]

I wasnt trying to be cynical or anything about the polite demeanor part...just realistic!

 

[robinhood17]

Personally, as a candidate myself, I think you rate pretty well amongst the pool. Anyone here would probably tell you to keep trying to increase your SATs, until you have an 2400, theres always room for improvement right?

to me, It looks good on paper, but there are other major factors. did your interview go well? dodmerb of course needs to be in the green, and the cfa scores should be good too.

i tried to level myself among other candidates, but for me, in the end it's only you that knows if you put 150% into everything, and your heart into getting that appointment.

Good luck!

 

[AikiBudo]

TrumpetTennis - You have compiled a strong resume that will serve you well in applying to college (SAs or otherwise). As you said no one knows for sure so all you can do is present the best picture you can of yourself and your accomplishments. Keep working on the CFA requirements and if possible take the SAT again (although you have good scores) or perhaps the ACT as some seem to do markedly better on one or the other. Good luck.

 

[hawk]

how did your CFA turn out at NASS?

Also, while those are excellent stats, you are close enough on the SAT's to study and try to break 700 on math & reading. That's will help with civvy schools for sure. (And won't hurt with USNA)

This is a very good start. My suggestion would be to not stop until you feel like you have done your best and can no longer improve. Use your liaison as a sounding board as well.

Competition was very tough last year.. I'm aware of applicants with higher SAT, GPA, more AP with comparable athletics & EC's who did not get an appointment. That does not mean you will not, just that there are very few slam dunks even with strong stats. But again, you have a very strong base going for this early in the process. My recommendation would be to schedule some SAT's for early fall!

 

[Whistle Pig]

3 thoughts:

1. None on here can tell you where you stand. Like spitting in the wind.

2. Conversely, YOU can and should answer your own question by looking at the profile. It will lend you a very general idea of your comparative standing, but even that will not lend much clue as to what the profile of your MOC district, state, and national pool for your target class looks like. And you've no idea about the degree to which specific priority targets might help or hinder your own candidacy. And that's what counts.

3. All you can do is your best, but you cannot, nor can any others, scoop or "chance" you on this. Do your own homework. You appear to be a reasonably strong candidate and we've seen candidates with superior stats and info who did not receive offers of appointment. Many.

Did you purposefully leave off your CFA results? In posing this as you did, did you anticipate being perceived as "jerk?"

So, if you knew you'd get truthful answers, why ask? You wanted an "honest opinion."

P.S. I'd guess you might be below average in your PT? No CFA? One year of varsity tennis, presumably? How below average? Lots of band stuff though.

 

[CGA17]

Whistle Pig--

Your'e right. My cfa at NASS wasn't as good as it should be and I just needed some outside motivation to take it again.
I now know where to focus--retaking the SAT, the CFA, and not worrying so much!

Thanks everyone for your honest advice and realism, as these final months can be trying!

PS--I will take a look at last year's profile--great advice.

Thanks!

 

[Whistle Pig]

Go get 'em! You are good, now work at better, best! That'll be the measure that makes the diff for you and gives you your best shot @ moving this minor mountain. You can.