Need criticism and advice!

Hasbig

Hasbig

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2012
Messages
8
Hello everyone, I'm interested in attending either the Military, Naval, or Air Force Academy. However, I know that at this stage of the game, 11th grade, I'm very uncompetitive. I have not taken SAT or ACT yet. Here is a brief overview of me:
-2x Varsity Soccer
i Scholar Athlete Award
ii Lettered
-I have won a State Championship in soccer for my premier team
-Will do varsity tennis this upcoming spring
-Member of my school's chapter of National Honor Society
-Top 10% of Class
i 94% average
ii All Honors and AP courses
iii High Honor Roll every quarter of HS so far
-2x recipient of excellence in physical ed.
-Excellence in Tech, Business departments
-Will soon be involved in Civil Air Patrol
-Visiting Naval and Military Acads.
-Volunteer at local church
What should I do to separate me from my competitors? Is there any chance I get admitted? I sincerely appreciate you guys taking time to read this and god bless! :biggrin:
 
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idk, you look competitive academically and extra curriculars to me, pending SAT score in the his 6s, low 7s in (especially) math and also CR. What appears to be lacking is leadership positions in student government or captainship of a Varsity team sport.
 
Yeah the leadership portion I know definitely needs improvement. I planned on being captain in soccer but the coach and I are on different wavelengths. Honestly, its all politics in my school, not about capablility to lead. I know that I can lead and inspire but I get screwed out of the opportunity. What do think I should do to strengthen my resume?
 
Ask your school counselor about attending boys state. DS school did not participate in boys state so husband and DS went to local American Legion post and asked if they would sponsor him to attend. If you go actively participate- run for an office. Deadline to apply last year was end of March.

Are you applying to attend summer sessions for the academies? You will need SAT/ACT scores or PSAT scores.
 
Yeah, I plan on applying for the Naval and Military Academy's summer seminars. I didn't do too hot on the PSATs because I mainly used it as a gauge to see what needs improvement for the SAT. But my friends say that the PSAT is nothing like the SAT. Boys State seems interesting, I'll definitely look into that. Would USNA, USMA, and USAFA recruit for soccer? I got some e-mails from USMA about a winter camp for the first 40 kids to register. I would assume that some really good players go there. If I was to go to that next time, do you think it would help in the admissions process?
 
You do NOT have to be a team captain to be a leader - link up with a coach and work closely to help under his direction. Work towards a leadership position in the CAP. Are you active in school government? How about in community organizations with which you have affiliated? Where there is a will, there is a way.

Why haven't you taken the SAT or ACT prior to now? These exams are important to virtually every major university in the country, and they are important to every SA. You should plan to take them until you are comfortable that you have accomplished your best scores. My experience and observation with standardized tests is that familiarity breeds better scores.
 
No, I'm not involved in school government but I will run for President/VP for our chapter of NHS. My specific church doesn't have any organization in terms of leadership. There is an adult leader, usually director of Religious Ed., and then about 15 teens that help run activities/classroom instruction. I haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet because I was not offered them. The chance to take them is coming up and I intend to take them multiple times.
 
No invitation needed to take SAT/ACT

Hasbig said:
No, I'm not involved in school government but I will run for President/VP for our chapter of NHS. My specific church doesn't have any organization in terms of leadership. There is an adult leader, usually director of Religious Ed., and then about 15 teens that help run activities/classroom instruction. I haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet because I was not offered them. The chance to take them is coming up and I intend to take them multiple times.
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Next SAT is end of January with scores available approximately 2 1/2 wks later. Slots for summer sessions go fast so suggest you take this SAT. You do not have to be offered a slot to take SAT or ACT. Just go on the websites and sign up. There is a fee to take each test though. DS had already taken 2 SATs this time last year in 11th grade.
 
hmza said:
Next SAT is end of January with scores available approximately 2 1/2 wks later. Slots for summer sessions go fast so suggest you take this SAT. You do not have to be offered a slot to take SAT or ACT. Just go on the websites and sign up. There is a fee to take each test though. DS had already taken 2 SATs this time last year in 11th grade.
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+1. You're not offered the SAT. You sign up for it on their website.
 
If you are looking to get recruited for soccer, reach out to the coaches via email/phone and sign up for their summer camp so that the coach can get a look. Do it soon, they fill up fast. Are you playing club ball at the Academy or at least National Premier level? If not, playing Div I soccer even at an Service Academy is an extreme long shot. As you are considering academies, one item to consider is that USNA has club soccer as well as Varsity. USMA does not. Not sure about USAFA.
 
Couple more questions here, thanks for answering the previous ones. When does the chance to apply to the summer programs arise? Do you know if admissions is based on merit or "first come first serve" basis? Do the Academies super score your SAT and take the highest combination of all tests? And If I was to get admission to the summer program, is it likely that I will also be admitted to the Academy? Thank you!
 
Hasbig said:
Couple more questions here, thanks for answering the previous ones. When does the chance to apply to the summer programs arise? Do you know if admissions is based on merit or "first come first serve" basis? Do the Academies super score your SAT and take the highest combination of all tests? And If I was to get admission to the summer program, is it likely that I will also be admitted to the Academy? Thank you!
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According the website admissions for the summer program will open later in January.
According to this board, admissions to the summer program in NO WAY guarantees admission to the academy. Getting accepted in the summer is nice, for many reasons (exposure to the facilities, meeting others, knowing that they wanted you to come, etc.). but it does not guarentee a thing. In addition, NOT getting in means nothing...you still are very much in the hunt for admissions later.
The other questions? Others with more experience should be able to help you out!
S
 
NASS application opens 1/17... be prepared to complete the app in the first few days as there is a surge of apps in the first week or two. Be aware that NASS is very popular, is used by USNA for recruiting purposes, is not the be all and end all, and a large number of those who are selected will NOT get appointments - by the same token, a large number of apps who do not get selected for the program DO get appts.
Go to navysports.com to find the summer camps and sign on; it could work more to your advantage than going to NASS.
 
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