College and Past Performance/Grades

Hello all. I have been a longtime lurker and viewer of information on these forums and decided to create an account to ask some questions and get some feedback on my own journey for an appointment this year.

I am a reapplicant for the class of 2018. I attend a senior military college, and I have finished most of my application over the summer (taking the CFA in November) and still need to get my commanding officers recommendation. However, the rest of my application is complete.

I have an SAT of 1500 (2-part) and a 2200 (3-part). I have a very extensive list of leadership roles throughout high school and even during my first year here, which I feel fortunate to have. I am a certified chemistry tutor and spend a lot of time tutoring in chemistry here. I am also on the football team's practice squad. Throughout HS I accumulated letters in lacrosse, football, and track & field. My parents are grads as well.

Additionally, my BGO interview went incredibly well and my BGO said he'd do all that is possible to convey an extremely positive image to the USNA. I'm not sure how influential the BGO is and doubt it will be a make-or-break, but I'm sure it can't hurt.

However, I do know that the major decision point in my appointment/denial will be my college grades. I am currently taking:

English (Freshman Composition)
Asian World History + Advanced U.S History
Information Systems and Technology
General Chemistry
Advanced Calculus (multivariable)
Military Science

I currently hold the following grades over midway through the semester:

93% - English
89% - History
92% - InfoTech (IT)
99% - Chemistry
89% - MultiVar Calc

I am trying my absolute best, especially in mathematics. I was never very good at math, and multivariable calculus is radically different than what I experienced in HS . I am hoping to end with at least a 90 in both History and Math. Regardless, I am not making excuses, and I am not becoming complacent in any of my classes or activities, even chem. I have the highest chemistry grade in the course, as well.

I have been in frequent communication with my admissions officer and was told my file was very "solid" but my file would not be reviewed until my 1st semester grades are in. Also, next semester I am taking:

Advanced Chemistry
Literature
Social Psychology
Advanced Calculus II
U.S Politics


If anyone can give me some feedback, I would appreciate it.

I would rely on what the admissions officer told you since he/she is the only one who "counts."

You've obviously done very well. How well it stacks up against other applicants is something no one here can tell you b/c we haven't seen the records of others who are applying this year.

If you've done your best, that's all you can do. I know you're anxious, but nothing will happen until at least February (after grades and noms are in) so you should continue to put forth your best effort in school and see what happens.

Good luck to you!

BGO1985,

Thanks so much for the quick reply.

I am mainly wondering about my math grade. I am taking a difficult and advanced course but have an 89%. Will that negatively affect their outlook? I know A's are the goal, but with all of the time commitment I have + difficulty of the course, do you think a high B to a low A will make the cut?

Also, how important is chemistry?

Not sure this helps, but our ds is at a very difficult math/science boarding school where most of his classmates have near perfect ACTs. His math grade this semester in Calc I is not the prettiest but its not comparable to other high school students at all, in our opinion because of the level of difficulty being taught. many of their graduates study at MIT, for example.

His BGO told him recently that the admissions board had deferred a decision on his application until his first semester grades are in - similar to what you were told apparently.

he went on a CVW in early October and could do the math in his head that the mids were not understanding on the board in a class he attended. we feel like he'll be fine at the academy, but not sure the admissions board will agree!

anyway, just wanted you to know that our son was told the same thing- that they are waiting on his first semester grades. its hard to not get discouraged! (he has strong leadership, CFA, etc. as well)

Best of luck to you!!

rudy,

just wanted to clear up that I am not in HS or at a prep school. My file will not be reviewed until after 1st semester grades are in because that is the policy for college reapplicants.

yeah, I got that - but was just nice to see that someone else was waiting too

futuremid2018 said:

BGO1985,


I am mainly wondering about my math grade. I am taking a difficult and advanced course but have an 89%.

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Looks to me like you're doing a great job, and are focused on targeting problem areas. You are clearly on track to become a leader regardless of the eventual path to get there.

That said, you obviously have a dream school. Go for it!

My son's math tutor gives him sheets and sheets of practice problems to do every week, and then he evaluates the worksheets at the end of the week. We've determined that without a doubt, the practice is paying off, just like it would if he were trying to better his 2-mile run.

Do you have access to a good math tutor who can help you target specific concept areas that practice can help with?

Honestly, you seem okay academically. I did a year of college and got into the academy after reapplying. I definitely did not have straight A's. I think my GPA for the first semester at the previous college was between a 3.6-3.8. I'm not saying you should start slacking in those classes, but don't kill yourself over 2%.

Looks good gradewise. Just keep trying your best.

thanks everyone for the replies. With the military program here, will that be considered as well?

Also, when it comes time to asking my CO to recommend me, what is the best approach? Are they usually open to such things or will they scoff upon it? Also, my CO is a career Army officer, do any of you think will he refuse to recommend me for the Naval Academy?

Also, I just got a 93 on a big multivar calc exam and now have an A.

Anybody?

Take a deep breath and relax...you never know until you ask your CO. Most are supportive of your desire to reach for that goal, but none of us here are able to predict your CO's reactions. Solid grades, I had a 4.0 in the fall and was rejected to USMA as a college applicant. I'm sure there were other factors taken into account, but focus on your grades and the whole person concept. Good work!

futuremid2018 said:

thanks everyone for the replies. With the military program here, will that be considered as well?

Also, when it comes time to asking my CO to recommend me, what is the best approach? Are they usually open to such things or will they scoff upon it? Also, my CO is a career Army officer, do any of you think will he refuse to recommend me for the Naval Academy?

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CO's are people. And by that I mean that each and every one of them is going to be different. You probably know him better than anyone here, and you'd probably get more information about his possible reactions from upper class that have been around him more. I highly doubt that he would deny you a recommendation solely based on the fact that it's the Naval Academy.

Personally, I talked to my chain of command very early on and informed them that I would be reapplying to the academy. Although my CO was informed that I was reapplying, I didn't actually talk to him about the recommendation until the beginning of the second semester so he could know more about me and how I handled everything at my school. When the time came he was thrilled to write the recommendation for me (he was a grad himself).

The one thing you left out was your physical fitness scores...what are those? If they are up to par, you're better than half the people already in here.

post CFA scores?

Apologies for not posting those stats

physical scores as follows:

pushups: max (75)
situps: max (95)
pullups: max (18)
shuttle run: max (7.8)
mile run: max (5:20)
b-ball throw (85')

plebe2017 said:

The one thing you left out was your physical fitness scores...what are those? If they are up to par, you're better than half the people already in here.

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Well someone is getting cynical pretty early...

Looks like you are on track to me, make sure you are physically fit and meet the standards in the regards as well.

Definitely on track physically. Stats posted