Sophomore looking for critique/advice

Alonzo Llorens

New Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
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4
Hello Forum! I'm currently a Sophmore at my high school and I'm looking to be critiqued on my performance during my freshman year to see how I can improve. To begin with, since last December(when my grandfather and I took a tour around USNA) ive taken a rather great appeal to the United States Naval Academy and becoming apart of the Navy/Marine corps. as a way to contribute to my country. The focus of last year was, Army Junior ROTC. Within JROTC Ive participated in Raiders, Color Guard, JCLC, and Drill Team. Outside of JROTC I was partially apart of track and Field,(Track and Drill Team conflicted) and I'm also apart of the Model UN and look to take up a high position in the coming years. I ended the year with a 3.7 weighted GPA as well. I've begun this year with 2 AP classes as well as taking up the position as a squad leader(sergeant) for JROTC. If all is kept along my set in path I should(and will fight) to become the Battalion Commander of my Battalion and graduate with a GPA no less than a 3.8. I appreciate anything that can be said to help me improve in my high school tenure.
 
To the OP:
Before anyone begins to provide feedback, I would recommend that you avoid using your real name on this forum. If you are fortunate enough to receive an appointment in the future, you don't want your upperclassmen to find your social media postings from high school. In fact you should "clean up" and privatize all of your social media. Protect your anonymity!

A plebe year is difficult enough without providing additional ammunition to your detailers.

If you wish to change your user name, just post your request to the forum administrator @TacticalNuke on this thread.
 
To the OP:
Before anyone begins to provide feedback, I would recommend that you avoid using your real name on this forum. If you are fortunate enough to receive an appointment in the future, you don't want your upperclassmen to find your social media postings from high school. In fact you should "clean up" and privatize all of your social media. Protect your anonymity!

A plebe year is difficult enough without providing additional ammunition to your detailers.

If you wish to change your user name, just post your request to the forum administrator @TacticalNuke on this thread.

Thanks for the heads up!
 
JROTC may not be enough. You may need more and leadership through model UN will help.
Leadership through sports is an important component of any of the SA admissions evaluation. If at all possible continue to participate in track. 92% of the class of 2020 were varsity athletes. 72% were captain/co-captain.
Class rank, rather than GPA is the criteria that is used. You want to be in the top 10% of your class. (not reported for USNA but USMA 70% of those admitted were in the top 20% of their HS class)
Boys/Girls state between your junior and senior HS year will help your leadership score. http://www.legion.org/boysnation

Interesting read on SA admissions process http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR700/RR723/RAND_RR723.pdf
 
JROTC may not be enough. You may need more and leadership through model UN will help.
Leadership through sports is an important component of any of the SA admissions evaluation. If at all possible continue to participate in track. 92% of the class of 2020 were varsity athletes. 72% were captain/co-captain.
Class rank, rather than GPA is the criteria that is used. You want to be in the top 10% of your class. (not reported for USNA but USMA 70% of those admitted were in the top 20% of their HS class)
Boys/Girls state between your junior and senior HS year will help your leadership score. http://www.legion.org/boysnation

Interesting read on SA admissions process http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR700/RR723/RAND_RR723.pdf

3 of the 4 of the pre-mentioned teams (e.g. Color guard, Drill team, and Raiders) are student lead. What I need to know is if I should devote my time to something else.
 
and graduate with a GPA no less than a 3.8. I appreciate anything that can be said to help me improve in my high school tenure.

In the toughest classes your school offers? If not, then I'd recommend you consider a change of focus from JROTC participation to academics. Most candidates can manage both but if it comes down to choosing - pick the academics. Besides, your plan B school probably doesn't care much about Color Guard.
 
Ok, I have no inside track or magic academy calculator but I did just go through the process with my son who was offered appointments to all 3 academies and is a plebe at USNA studying hard at this moment for exams this week in Chemistry and Seamanship. So here are the things that seemed pretty important to being competitive (because you are about to be going against some really really stellar kids.)
1.SAT/ACT=take em several times, take em both (you may do better on one or the other)
2. G.P.A.- needs to be high...pretty darn high...They will somewhat take into consideration the difficulty of your classes and your school. Take the most rigorous classes available and do well in them.
3. Leadership- Strive for multiple leadership roles in diverse things, at school, in the community, at church...
4. Sports- Preferably team sports, multiple ones if possible, being a captain of the team is good
5. Athleticism- Look at the components of the CFA, start to get good at them now and you will ace that part when you apply
These are just the main ones that came to mind. Why did my Son get early offers from all three? Well as best as I can figure, he was very diverse. He wasn't tip tip top in any one of these categories but he was strong in all of them.
Be well rounded.
Good Luck and work hard.
 
Ok, I have no inside track or magic academy calculator but I did just go through the process with my son who was offered appointments to all 3 academies and is a plebe at USNA studying hard at this moment for exams this week in Chemistry and Seamanship. So here are the things that seemed pretty important to being competitive (because you are about to be going against some really really stellar kids.)
1.SAT/ACT=take em several times, take em both (you may do better on one or the other)
2. G.P.A.- needs to be high...pretty darn high...They will somewhat take into consideration the difficulty of your classes and your school. Take the most rigorous classes available and do well in them.
3. Leadership- Strive for multiple leadership roles in diverse things, at school, in the community, at church...
4. Sports- Preferably team sports, multiple ones if possible, being a captain of the team is good
5. Athleticism- Look at the components of the CFA, start to get good at them now and you will ace that part when you apply
These are just the main ones that came to mind. Why did my Son get early offers from all three? Well as best as I can figure, he was very diverse. He wasn't tip tip top in any one of these categories but he was strong in all of them.
Be well rounded.
Good Luck and work hard.

Thanks for the response, and congratulations on your sons appointment. Your response really helped me develop a mental objective or "focus" that I need instill into myself. For as of recently, I see a tug-of-war in my pursuit to ace in one area(Grades) and then slack off in the next(Diverse leadership positions). Its helped me realize that I've got all the potential mentally and physically, but it's a truer test of putting it to an actual use. This boils down to taking the initiative to developing myself in my personal qualities of responsibility and commitment. Thanks again for your open words, and the best of luck for your son.
 
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