Application Help and Questions

J

jaxlax

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
6
Hello,
I came across this website today and found a lot of great information on the Academy, and I have a few questions of my own, so hopefully someone can help me out.

I am a Junior in High School in Maryland. I have also always had a huge interest in the Naval Academy. Recently a senior friend of mine was accepted to USNA and I realized that I need to get working on an application now!

Because of this, I have been working hard to make sure that I am prepared for the application process and, hopefully, the Academy itself.

I'm not sure how the application process works, and because this is a huge commitment I still have a ton of questions. So I will wondering how does my high school resume look?
I go to a public high school which is one of the top in the nation, I am in the (International Baccalaureate) program at my school and take the following classes:
IB Physics HL, IB HL English, IB HL History, IB SL Chinese (AP Level 5), IB SL Psychology (AP Testing), and IB Theory of Knowledge.
Also during middle school and freshman/sophomore year I was in IB MYP program.
GPA unweighted is 3.44, weighted is 4.02 or something. and our school doesn't have class rank...
I currently have 367 SSL hours, and continuing to earn more every weekend through volunteer coaching (lacrosse) and working at the pet shelter.
Athletics:
9th- Varsity Soccer, Varsity Lacrosse, JV Basketball
10th- Varsity Soccer, Varsity Lacrosse, JV Basketball (Earned MVP)
11th- Varsity Soccer, Varsity Lacrosse (Captain)
12th (I can assume)- Varsity Soccer (Captain), Varsity Lacrosse (Captain)
Clubs:
National Chinese Honor Society (Public Relations Representative), Model UN, The school newspaper (writer and photographer), Asian American Club
Jobs:
Intern on Capital Hill, US Lacrosse Ref, Intern at a local sports company, and I just applied for internship at NIH(Hopefully i get it!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated, along with any tips or other comments.

Thank you!
Jackie
 
I would say you have a good resume for any academy. Of course the process is very competitive and grueling, especially in MD for USNA from what I hear on this forum. You should try regardless. You can't win a competition if you don't enter. Good luck to you.
 
Looking at your Stats, I'd say that you have a shot. Extracurricular looks good as well as athletics. You might consider running for some type of Student Gov't office but otherwise it looks strong. Your course load looks good as well but the GPA may be a little low considering that you are located in one of the most competitive areas of the country. This late in the game, however, you probably aren't going to be able to do anything about that. Your best bet is to kill the ACT/SAT's. You need to shoot for well above the averages if you hope to compete for a nomination in MD. The nearer that you are to any Academy, the stiffer the competition. You will therefore have a better shot at USAFA than USNA. My son got into USNA with a 31/30 M/E ACT but he had a 3.85 GPA in an AP curriculum. We, however, live in Wisconsin, not an uncompetitive state by any means but certainly not a MD. Take the SAT/ACT as many times as possible, take the prep courses, get a tutor. You need to be shooting for 34's. Also, train hard for and blow away the PT test. It won't help you with the nomination but if you make a competitive slate (i.e. 1 of 10 where the Academy makes the choice). It will help to win the appointment. I suggest that since you're in MD, call admissions and ask for an invite for a CVW (candidate visit weekend). You will really get some insight into the application process there. Take a Parent. They attend some briefings that you don't. This will max yours and their understanding of the entire process. Hope this helps.
 
Have you applied for NASS yet? I don't think it's too late yet, but if you haven't applied yet you should get on it right away. Your NASS application serves as a preliminary application, and if you go to Summer Seminar, you will take the CFA while you're there - one more thing done - then you can spend the rest of the summer working on the rest of your app. Go back and read through the forums here. You'll find lots of info on the whole process.
 
What are your PSAT/SAT/ACT scores. With your school and academic rigor, you've no doubt taken several of these exams by Jan of junior year?
 
Psat/sat/act

PSAT from sophomore year was a projected 1980
SAT junior year 2020 (first try) second will be in march
ACT I have not taken it. Should I?
 
Your resume is a bit above average but as you neglect to mention any advanced math I suspect that that's an area that might drag you down. SAT 2020 is a good score but, again, if its V800, W800, M420 - it will impact you.

Bottom line is that the only way to be assured of not getting in is not to apply. Study the application and all of the nomination processes and follow them exactly. My 2C made a spreadsheet listing all of the requirements and checked them off as they were completed. Out dining table a covered with piles of paper for months as each step was completed.
 
The following are my suggestions primarily from my son’s experiences over the past year and from other’s input.

CFA
One thing that you can do your junior year is begin your CFA practice. I would suggest that you approach your high school PE teacher with a print out of the CFA instructions. http://www.usna.edu/admissions/cfainstructions.htm. Explain to them that your goal is to become an officer in the military (be prepared to explain why). Ask them if they will help you. Starting now- try to meet with them once per week after school, or before school or they may even allow it during your actual PE class. You can then run through a mock CFA --this will only be about 10-12 minutes weekly. Given your sports, you are most likely a good runner-so that part may be easier than the others.

ACT/SAT
As you are aware the Service Academies super score. It is ONLY to your benefit to take the ACT/SAT as many times as possible. If you take the ACT for example, they offer it September, October, December, February, April, June. You should be signed up for all of them. Shoot for top quartile in each as your lowest acceptable personal goal. If you are not in the top quartile take it again (and again)-actualy unless it is a perfect score-why not take it again? why leave any points on the table?

TEACHER BUY IN JUNIOR YEAR
You will need the very active support of your Math and English teachers (and science teacher for USMA) throughout this process. Their LOR are extremely important! Believe it or not they will have to do a lot of work for you and they may not want to, have moved, retired etc. They will have to fill out on-line evaluations of you over their summer vacations. The will have to write a letter for you as part of your member of congress nomination packet. The will have to write a letter for you as part of your NROTC/ROTC/AROTC application packet. The will have to write a letter for you as you apply to the colleges or universities that will direct your NROTC/ROTC/AROTC scholarship. The will have to write a letter for you to square away your Plan B and Plan C colleges or universities. They will have to evaluate your: Cooperation, Dependability, Productivity, Attitude, Leadership Ability, Consideration for others, Initiative, Ability to Plan and Organize work, Attendance and Punctuality, Drive and Character. You will NEED to get their buy in. This does not mean simply being nice to them. Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it. This means 1.) Working hard for them in their class 2.) Going above and beyond to demonstrate the above characteristics 3.)Explaining articulately what you are trying to accomplish and why 4.) Showing your appreciation for them throughout this process by writing hand written thank you notes. One important thing to know is that 99% of teachers became a teacher because they enjoy kids and sincerely want to help them. Many (most) high school students have not yet formulated their goals. You have. Share that with the teachers early on and ask for tips and suggestions. Their tips and suggestions may not be 100% helpful but you may get a nugget in there. More importantly, they will be glad that you are sharing with them and are asking for their help and guidance, and then will buy into your plans.


BOYS/GIRLS STATE
Find out when your Boys/Girls State is. Learn about the process to being chosen to represent your high school. In some states it is extremely competitive. This may sound like merely a check mark but it is much more. It is a check mark in that it is looked on very favorably by the admissions board and increases your points/score for admission. However, it is far more fun than it sounds like it will be. You will learn a lot. It will be filled with others trying to get into Service Academies so you will get a chance to meet more people like you who have the same motivations. Boys/Girls State will let you experience leadership training in an exciting learn-by doing environment. It is fun.



Good Luck!
“The difficult we do immediately. The impossible takes a little longer.”
—Motto of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II,
 
Last edited:
I'd say you have a great resume. The one thing I would ask myself if I was you is if you are trying purely for the education and prestige that you would receive or because you wish to serve. I know that for me making it clear that my ultimate goal is to serve in the USMC was a major factor in my nominations and BGO interview, both of which are extremely important in receiving an appointment. Remember that they want people who they feel will be career officers and think long about the commitment
 
I agree with a lot VISTA123 has said. My DS approached his teachers in April last year and asked if they would be willing to write him the recommendations he needed. He also outlined the process since he knew they wouldn't be checking email, or thinking about submitting them over the summer. Since teachers are writing recommendations for seniors, it is hard for them to think about doing anything for juniors. By approaching them early, his teachers submitted them within days of getting the email.

Take SAT, ACT multiple times until you have scores in the stratosphere. Remember to include the Writing Section of the ACT for USMA.

Although late, I would still apply NASS, AIM (USCGA), and SLS (USAFA, USMA) - all ASAP! Even if you don't think you want to go into the Coast Guard or Army, if you get that chance you might be surprised at what you learn and experience that week. I think your resume is strong for a summer program, it is just late in the game since many applied the day it opened online.

Boys State/Girls State looks great to admissions. Get in touch with local VFW halls and find out if they have named anyone. Also ask your counselors. My son was persistent - when he never could connect with anyone in the closest hall, he contacted one in a neighboring community. The second one got the closest to sponsor him.

Lastly - MD is one of the hardest states to get nominations to the USNA. That doesn't mean you can't, it just means it is tough because all of you Terps have seen the beauty of the academy, and the mild weather compared to RI/NY/CO. If you are in suburban DC, there is always interest in all of the academies. If you want to serve, don't overlook the other branches, USMMA (you can cross-commission), or ROTC. Also remember - CGA does not require a nomination.

If you are serious about an academy, you are going to be doing stuff all summer and fall, along with your normal class and ECs. Be prepared for a long haul!

Good luck with all of the above, and I'll be anxious to follow your progress on these forums.
 
Last edited:
osdad said:
Your resume is a bit above average but as you neglect to mention any advanced math I suspect that that's an area that might drag you down. SAT 2020 is a good score but, again, if its V800, W800, M420 - it will impact you.

Bottom line is that the only way to be assured of not getting in is not to apply. Study the application and all of the nomination processes and follow them exactly. My 2C made a spreadsheet listing all of the requirements and checked them off as they were completed. Out dining table a covered with piles of paper for months as each step was completed.
Click to expand...

I can't believe I left out math! OOPS!! I am currently in IB PreCal honors, and next year I am going into APAB Calc.
 
You asked about taking the ACT. Answer is yes, the two tests are different in their format. You may find that you do better on one vs the other. In the end, USNA converts the scores to SAT format for comparison. OBW USMA looks at the reading and science scores from the ACT. USNA only looks at the math and English.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top