Freshman Year

[rubio1996]

I'm about to enter my sophomore year at a top college preparatory school in my area. I recently got my final freshman year report card. My final GPA was a 3.0 (I don't know whether this is weighted or unweighted). I took two honors classes, Geometry Honors and Chemistry Honors. The Chemistry Honors course in my school is usually taken by strong students in their junior year, and the Geometry Honors course is usually taken by strong students in their freshman or sophomore year. My final grades were a C- in Geometry Honors, an A+ in Concert Band, a C in Chemistry Honors, an A- in Multimedia Design, a B- in English I, a B- in Spanish I, and an A- in Foundations of Civilizations. The classes I will most likely be taking next year are Biology (Honors or Regular), Algebra II, Concert Band, English II, Spanish II (Honors or Regular), and World History AP. Looking at my academics, what should I do to improve, so I can gain a nomination and offer of admission to one of the U.S. Service Academies?

I had two unsuccessful campaigns for ninth grade class vice president and school treasurer, but I was elected class alternate representative for the ninth grade class. Over the course of my freshman year, I had over 50 community service hours, which earned me Community Service Honors. I was also a member of my church's youth group. I was cast in my school's spring drama production. Also, I wrote a play and performed a different play for a school drama festival, which had to be written, performed, practiced, and directed within 24 hours of receiving the topic for the play. Looking at my extracurricular activities, what should I do to improve, so I can gain a nomination and offer of admission to one of the U.S. Service Academies?

I did not participate in my school's athletic program in my freshman year, as I was focusing on my academics during the transition from a small Catholic middle school to a rigorous college preparatory school. I plan on playing three sports in my sophomore year. Assuming I do everything else correctly for nomination and admission, which sports should I play (assume that I do not have any experience in any of these sports)? These are my options for sports in high school (I may choose one for each season):

Fall Sports:

Cross Country
Soccer


Winter Sports:

Basketball
Wrestling
Swimming


Spring Sports:

Tennis
Lacrosse
Baseball
Golf

Thank you.

 

[Lynpar]

Rubio, if you are the least bit interested in politics and beginning scouting and getting to be an Eagle Scout is a little out of reach I have an idea for you. Look into the congressional page program. They are offered from the House of Representatives and from the US Senate as well. While you are looking at you congress people's websites form nomination information anyway, check out about the page program. There are various sessions you can compete for to take place during your Junior year of High School. ( some shorter versions over the summer but that may not have the same impact) My DS was a US Senate Page for spring term 2010 and lived 600 hundred miles away in Washington DC from January til June and yes the Page school is rigorous ( it blew his mind). It was hands down the coolest experience of his life. It gave him skills and experiences we never dreamed of! The third day he was there he was in the room for the Presidents State of The Union Address, in the room! Also it may have been the very thing that made him competitive enough to get in KP. Take a look at both of your Senators programs as well as your House Representative. Another of the only 30 Senate Pages nationwide for that spring term is getting ready to go to Westpoint, another to Yale, another to Stanford, another for overseas studies, another stayed in DC and interned for a Senator, etc.

 

[rubio1996]

Could you please post a link to this?

 

[Lynpar]

You will have to go the websites of the congress people in your state. Both Senators and your member of the House of Representatives. Dont get hung up on political party. The house and the senate programs differ in size and the senate program is slightly harder to get into due it's small size of only 30 students selected nationwide per term. Look for a section entitled "for students" or something simallar on their websites. This program is for part of your your Junior year only, so you have plenty of time but check it out to see if it is something you might be interested in. Selection requires kind of a mini version of the academy process, grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, essay, etc. Good practice even if you don't get in. I am sure DS did not have the highest GPA of those who applied. What he had was desire and work ethic. But seriously I cannot recommend it enough. May truly be a life changer! I don't know how much weight it carried in the admissions process. But may have been looked at as community service, leadership, a leg up maturity due living away from home, etc.