Improvements I could make?

Jason922

Future USNA Candidate '20
5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2012
Messages
119
Notice: I'm less interested in whether I can get in now versus what I can improve on my resume.
GPA: 3.581 UW (Class rank: 96 out of 341)
SAT: 710M 660R 610W
AP Scores: Bio/4; Eng Lang/3 (I don't think they even count)
Varsity Wrestling through 11th grade (most likely through 12th as well)

Senior Year Schedule:
AP English Literature
AP Calculus AB
US Gov/CWI
AP Economics
Chamber Choir
Honors Chemistry

I live in the suburbs of Seattle, about 15-20 minutes outside the actual city. Lived under less than ideal circumstances: dad died when I was going into 6th grade, mom raised two sons alone, many-a financial problem, etc. I don't intend to make my application an appeal to empathy, so I won't be milking anything, but if there is anything you guys can see that I have control over, please do tell. Thanks!
 
I'm just a candidate like you, but I think it would help you out a lot if you had got involved with a lot more extracurricular activities besides wrestling. Your class rank and GPA could use improvement as well. However, it might be too late to fix either/both of those things. Your senior year is a bit too late to start trying to improve a GPA and it would be difficult to get any type of leadership role if you haven't participated in any extracurricular activities yet. It could also look like you are just trying to pad your resume(which isn't good) if you squeeze in a bunch of clubs your senior year.

Have you taken physics? How about foreign language classes?

Your SAT score is pretty good but it could be a lot better and it is not too late to make it a lot better.
 
@frenzymando I've taken AP French last year but decided not to take the test because our school doesn't offer it, and no I haven't taken physics. Our school forces freshman to take earth/physical science so I took Biology the last two years and chemistry will be next year. There are two things I plan on joining next year though: cross country and Key Club, one to stay in shape and another to join some friends. Extracurriculars are my weakest link :-(
 
@frenzymando I've taken AP French last year but decided not to take the test because our school doesn't offer it, and no I haven't taken physics. Our school forces freshman to take earth/physical science so I took Biology the last two years and chemistry will be next year. There are two things I plan on joining next year though: cross country and Key Club, one to stay in shape and another to join some friends. Extracurriculars are my weakest link :-(
If I were you, I would STRONGLY consider dropping a class to take physics. Your athletic extracurricular activities are already fine, you have participated in a Varsity sport. Cross country will not help you very much. Your non-athletic extracurricular activities are extremely weak, because they are non-existent! I think it would help you immensely if you got a leadership position in a non-athletic extracurricular activity. However, simply being a member in Key Club, or any club that isn't extremely selective, probably won't do very much for your application.
 
Btw you look good man.. just really try to finish strong as that work ethic would be noted by the academy for sure. Otherwise, try to be a leader at school or in your community (community service, student council). The academy loves to see leadership. Keep up the good work and remember you can't be appointed if you don't apply!
 
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