Do I have a chance anywhere

K

Kensy

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
63
Do I have any chance so far, even throughout ROTC... My grades are mediocre, I have my reasons such as depression.... I cannot concentrate for at least 10 min and I may have a sleeping problem...

Goals:
Info/ Comp Science Major
10th Grade
Korean H 93.22/ 91.44 A/A-
Bio H/ Biology 75.77/ 78.68 C/C+
Geometry 81.42/76.72 B/C
Fund of Art (required class for UC's) 88.19/ 89.84 I think he rounded to an A
English II H 75.98/ 73.05 C
Track 100% A

Extracurricular list
- Amnesty International President
*Hosted beneficial concerts
*Helped out other clubs with community service
- Fencing Club Founder/ Secretary
- Kendo Assistant teacher
* won Championships
- Cross/Country, Track Hurdles JV
-Civil Air Patrol (Airmen)
*BCS Camp pendleton
*Flight Orientations
- Key Club (200 Hours): Running for Secretary
- National Honor Society 9th grade

Major Related
- Toaster Wars Hacking Competition national rank (132/1,000) estimation
- Cyber Patriot Hacking Competition
- Self Studied; Html, Css, C++, little knowledge of Java
- ID tech Camp C++ UCLA
- Made my own webpage/programs
- Part of a forum where we create webpages, money, etc. (Gave out advices and helped develop new features.
- Advertising online for PP currency.
- Microsoft Student

For my future goals:
1. Get my GPA up
2. Study for SATS
I was thinking of applying for an internship at Lockhead Martin and I do not want to list all my extra curriculars, only the ones I care about.

Thanks for listening.... I will try to follow up in my goals, but personally problems in life is hitting me hard.....
 
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Hi Kensy,

Some "dad" advice that I hope helps... Life is not a sprint, it's a marathon.

Take the pressure of yourself a bit and find time to enjoy being a teenager! You sound like a wonderful young person with a strong sense of where you want to be (aero engineering?). That already puts you far, far ahead of most folks your age.

You already know the competition to get into the SAs is incredibly high. So take that as a wonderful challenge that helps you rise further, no matter what the final result. And remember that just by striving for it, you win. So apply for sure! And keep working towards your goals, and remember that things have a way or working out in the end for those that keep putting in the effort.... even if it is in ways/paths we didn't expect at first!

I look at your resume and I think "here's someone who will do just fine". :smile:
 
Some "Mom" advice.

1. MedB is right life is not a sprint, it is a marathon.
~~~ Slow and steady typically wins the race.

2. Start taking your SAT/ACT this fall. The SAs superscore. AFROTC scholarships do not, it is best sitting. More practical practice in the test environment the better off you will be.
~~~~ Every yr @ this time there are candidates because they didn't take the SAT/ACT for the 1st time until May/June and their scores came out lower than expected. The problem is they make it to candidate, but many MOCs require the SAT/ACT score and a lot close out their applications for deadline dates end of Sept or mid-Oct., which means their Sept SAT might not make it there, and that 1 SAT score is the only one they can use for the nom application process.

3. Here is my real concern from a DoDMERB perspective, not an SA competitive issue (apptmt).
~~~ I have my reasons such as depression.... I cannot concentrate for at least 10 min and I may have a sleeping problem

If you are on meds for any of these things, it can become a DQ, and will need a waiver. I.E. Ritalin for ADD, Xanax (SP?) for depression, Ambien for sleeping. UNLESS off for a very long time...traditionally 2 yrs at least for meds., esp. meds that are needed for academics. Basically, I recall they want to know long term prescriptions after the age of 13. Amoxycillin (sp?) at 14 for 2 weeks is not an issue when there is no recurrence or refill for months. Ambien with a permanent refill prescription since 16 most likely will be an issue.

All of your prescribed meds will be part of your DoDMERB exam. I am not taking the leap you are on meds, I am just saying if you are; I would do some posting on the DoDMERB forums to find out how to navigate those steps. Many, many candidates get tripped up on DoDMERB. For many the apptmt was the easy part of the process, the DoDMERB was the hardest part. DoDMERB DQs, branches waive the DQ, but it can takes months to get the waiver. Plus, it is important to remember the branch waives, USMA may waive, but the AFA and USNA might not, meanwhile simultaneously you are going through the process for each SA. Plus, and SA may decide not to waive, but their ROTC counterpart may, so if you apply to 5 SAs, 3 ROTC scholarships, and get a DQ, that is a lot of paperwork you are dealing with, while simultaneously applying for traditional colleges and determining majors, writing essays, getting LORs.

You have done the biggest step needed to assist you in this marathon...found this site. The more you know, the more confident you will feel come a yr from now when you are a candidate and a rising sr. in HS.

Good luck. Best wishes, hopes and thoughts. AIM HIGH! ABOVE ALL!

OBTW, make sure you take the PSAT. For the National Merit Scholarship, they only use the PSAT taken in jr. yr. If you score in the top 95% you will become at least an NMSF. It is something that not only MOCs look at, but also colleges regarding admissions. You need to have plan B in place and that means colleges.
 
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OBTW.

I was thinking of applying for an internship at Lockhead Martin
Click to expand...
I highly doubt you will get an internship at LockheEd Martin unless you have an "IN"...networking

I say that because due to the economy, and the unemployment rate, the trickle down effect has occurred. Many college grads are doing internships because they did not get a job offer upon graduation. Their hopes are to parlay it into a paying job later on. That slot not takes up for the rising college jr/sr., and now they take up the lower internship in hopes it will help them when they graduate.

Internships because of the economy are extremely competitive.

PS. Our DD(rising sr in college) is interning at Make A Wish North East National HQ, she networked it. She started back in Nov. for her summer internship. Our DS(soph in college 2010) interned on the Hill with a Sen. He started the process in Aug. for Jan. start date. Place room in your timeline for how long the process takes to start interning. It is not like going to your local Y and applying for a lifeguarding position where you are hired on Tuesday and start on Wednesday.

Plus, due to sequestration, Lockheed, as a defense contractor is aware of the fact that the budget constraints are not for 1 yr, but now for 10. It is going to impact their employment availability. Read above....it can be an issue of who you know, not just what you know.

I know my posts are depressing, but you are so early on regarding the path; you have a lot of flexibility compared to your options if it was next yr.
 
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Pima said:
OBTW.


I highly doubt you will get an internship at LockheEd Martin unless you have an "IN"...networking

I say that because due to the economy, and the unemployment rate, the trickle down effect has occurred. Many college grads are doing internships because they did not get a job offer upon graduation. Their hopes are to parlay it into a paying job later on. That slot not takes up for the rising college jr/sr., and now they take up the lower internship in hopes it will help them when they graduate.

Internships because of the economy are extremely competitive.

PS. Our DD(rising sr in college) is interning at Make A Wish North East National HQ, she networked it. She started back in Nov. for her summer internship. Our DS(soph in college 2010) interned on the Hill with a Sen. He started the process in Aug. for Jan. start date. Place room in your timeline for how long the process takes to start interning. It is not like going to your local Y and applying for a lifeguarding position where you are hired on Tuesday and start on Wednesday.

Plus, due to sequestration, Lockheed, as a defense contractor is aware of the fact that the budget constraints are not for 1 yr, but now for 10. It is going to impact their employment availability. Read above....it can be an issue of who you know, not just what you know.

I know my posts are depressing, but you are so early on regarding the path; you have a lot of flexibility compared to your options if it was next yr.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the spelling it was late..
 
My wife and I would like to be part of a forum that creates money! :wink:

As others have said, take it easy on yourself and just take slow and steedy steps to improve the areas that need work. One semester I received an F in a class at CGA (yikes!), and I went on academic probation, and summer school to retake the class (and to take another class that actually put me slightly ahead). I understand, when you start to think about improving it can feel overwhelming. In my mind, at the time, I started playing it out three of four steps into the future...."I don't do well on tests, my GPA doesn't go high enough, I get kicked out, etc"

In reality, I had to take it one step at a time, without thinking so far ahead. And in the end it worked out. You just need to breath a little and relax. If there are far more important things on your plate to tackle, for your long-term wellbeing, well, tackle them first.


On a side note, from the things you've listed. You'll want to downplay anything that might be controversial. Listing Planned Parenthood, of Greenpeace, of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (from the Animal Planet show Whale Wars!) is well within your right, but may, even slightly alienate your reviewers.

Amnesty International could be one of those organizations that might rub someone the wrong way. I didn't list my church because I didn't find the one person deciding my fate that hate United Methodists....

That's just a little, tiny, super small, advice.
 
That's a pretty smart catch, LITS.
(ie, the listing of potentially controversial affiliations)

So with that in mind, this is NOT advice to the OP or anyone else, just a question...

If a major/best portion of a candidate's leadership experience is with one of those sorts of potentially controversial groups, I wonder if turning the potential negative into a positive might be a play? In other words, using your essay(s) to reconcile the common ground between wanting to serve and your group affiliations.

For example... tieing the desire to champion and stand up for the rights of the oppressed, to active duty military service as one of the best ways to fight oppresion.
 
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The AFA looks to see academic progression, so as long as your grades continue to improve it won't necessarily be a factor.

They also look at your school profile. For example:

All A's at a HS where 0% go to an Ivy, and 50% go to 2 yr will be seen differently than A's and B's at a HS where 50% go to an Ivy, and 0% go 2 yrs.

Plus, they will also look at your class rank. It is not necessarily just about your actual cgpa number. It is a mixture of other factors, which include rank, rigor, school profile.

I would also say that one factor you have to put in the equation is that although many kids get in with C's on their transcripts, the only way to get an apptmt is getting a nom from an MOC. Some MOCs districts are very competitive and those C's may hurt you regarding your chances of getting a nom.
 
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I believe the depression issues and inability to concentrate might be signs of trolling...

And, "cyber patriot hacking" competition? This doesn't sound like something good.
 
Kensy said:
. . .
Thanks for listening.... I will try to follow up in my goals, but personally problems in life is hitting me hard.....
Click to expand...

What are your goals? Attending a SA is a goal, but somewhat meaningless as attending a SA only contributes to you achieving bigger/higher goals.

I hope you want to accomplish more in life than just attending a SA.

You should attend a SA to become a good military officer, for whatever period, than something else. If so, there are numerous path to become a good military officer - ROTC, enlisting/OCS, early commissioning program, National Guard, and Reserves. You can also serve in the military as an enlisted, for whatever period, and do something else.
 
fencersmother said:
I believe the depression issues and inability to concentrate might be signs of trolling...

And, "cyber patriot hacking" competition? This doesn't sound like something good.
Click to expand...
Well, I am being serious lol about the health issues.. And go google Cyber patriot..cyber defense competition
 
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First off, I assume you have talked to your Academy Liaison Officer (for USAFA, it is assigned when you fill out the online application).

I will tell you this, the Academies are harder overall than college, it is 4 years with academics, athletics, and military training.

And there are no excuses, you either complete the requirements, or you don't graduate.

I will also say that any cracks in your character will be forced open a bit more in this environment.

I will also say that freshman and sophomore years in HS are very challenging for young folks because of all the emotional and physical changes happening in a short period of time.

Learn the life skills now...enjoy the classes that come easy and give you good grades...attack the classes that are hard and give you bad grades...figure out why you are struggling, talk to the teacher, find different ways to study. Don't assume you 'just don't do well in that class'

I can tell you from experience as one who didn't really study in HS and got beat up by the Dean of academics for 4 years at USAFA that study skills and habits need to be formed early.
 
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