Am I an ideal canndidate?

USNAChrisKim

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
30
Will I get into the Naval ACademy?
I've had a rough high school, a bit tumultuous i daresay. Before I state my .. accomplishments, I will first say this. I had no clue there were service academies till the end of my junior year. Hence, if I knew there was a school out there for me, I would have gotten 4.0 gpa no joke. Such a dissapointment to realize there were military based schools. I must've been so blind...

anyways.

From freshman to junior year, my Gpa cumulative is 2.57, and weighted 3.09. By the end of my high school, I will have taken 7-8 AP courses, and about 6-7 science classes. And I won the school science fair, got 2nd place in counties, and am entered in the JS HS, a national science contest. I also got a 1940 on my SATs.

I'm the top violinist in my school, one of the best in the state. I don't like to comepte with the violin, but I have basically perfect pitch and rythym.. and I can feel music in its entireity. It's like a language I'm fluent in. Anyways, the only one time I comepeted seriously was in seventh grade, where I got a perfect score at State Solo Festival. bigg whoop. Haha, but now I just play violin for my church and people in countries who can't afford a live performance. Most haven't even seen a violin. Like orphans and poor people

I have 399 hours of community service, and I've gone to other countries, villages, such as Thailand and Mexico and did a lot of stuff there. For example, assisting the sick and elderly, giving out medicine, playing with the kids, performing for ppl, and was the leader of the mission relief group. I've been to AIDS orphanages nad stuff. which really changed me..

I'm 17 btw. I'm also the indoor and outdoor track captain of my school, as well as first violin/ 2nd chair (I should be first haha).

I'm also the co-chair for Key Club, and President/leader for FCA, the largest christian club in the nation (Fellowship of Christian AThletes)


I can be a leader, and I know what to do. I've started out at the bottom, and made my way up to the top. But my GPA is awful. Yeah... i'm like a ******** savant.. haha jk. Well, to be blunt, I think a leader has to be flexible. IF one is too rigid in his ways, he'll snap in two, and if one is too bendable, he'll be swayed. If you're too headstrong and you head into a situation without even thinking of other possiblities, you're screwed.. haha just one of my thoughts.

People hear I get 1940, Science fair and blabla, violinist, Track caPtain, but my gpa is... ********.


But due to several reasons whcih will devour this page, I will withdraw from stating them. But I will say, my desire to achieve academically has skyrocketed.

Hence, this first quarter of my senior year, I have receieved a 3.42 GPA and 4.2 Weighted, with Ap and Honors classes. I'm going to go to win 110 hurdles and 55 hurdles and 300 hurdles at States this year, definintely.... and yeah..


I applied for my nominations, but I didn't get any of them :( hahaha
I know I have what it takes, and I know that I won't regret it at all. I want to serve. And I'm Korean, making me a minority, fluent in korean speaking writing and understanding, good at Spanish, a bit of japanese and some thai, and.. yeah.

Im' not sure if asking this is foolish or ignorant. I just want some honest feedback. I hear, "wow you'll get in." But hten again I also hear, "Thousands of students are just like you but with 4.0 GPA.

But to tell you the truth, whatever you say on this will not affect my views or thoughts. I already trust that God will send me where I need to be. So thanks :)
 
Your academic record will/has impacted your nomination applications. You may still be in the running for NAPS or Foundation scholarships, especially with your Track accomplishments. Contact the Coach and send him/her factual information about your athletics, (times, ordinal placing at region and state meets, etc). He may be able to influence your selection to NAPS.

You may wish to consider looking to applying for next year, (class of 2014). You can overcome/overwrite your entire academic career by doing well in a college environment. By taking and doing well in college-level Calculus, Physics and Chemistry, you demonstrate that you can do the academic work and show that you are now past your academic malaise. This would mean applying for next year, and getting those courses in this summer or next fall.

kaullman
BGO, West Palm Beach, FL
 
Chris, reading your post was just looking at myself in the mirror.

GPA, Extracurriculars, Sports, Religion and Ethnic Background are the exact same as mine.

From talking to BGOs and others who have tons of knowledge on the subject, they have all said the same thing. Its not a matter of if you get in, but when. The SAT scores combined with the overwhelming amount of extracurriculars balance out the GPA.. and the fact that you and I are a minority (yes, even Asian) sets the bar lower vs the rest. If you want to go, you will get in.. hands down.

The plus side to taking an extra year is the ability to take those core classes, validating them and being able to graduate with a double major; something that not many people are able to do at a service academy.

Also, apparently that SAT score (which was what I got) is to high for NAPs.. so if a prep school is a option it must be a through a private one.

So Chris.. my Key Club, FCA, track, 1940, 3.0 GPA brother.. hang in there.
 
looking over chris's post from a few days ago i have to say,

as a minority candidate myself, i'm kind of insulted that you would say that the bar is lowered for us. the united states naval academy cannot and will not ever take men and women who they feel do not have the potential to be outstanding officers

anything less then that gets men and women killed, so when the USNA and all other service academies look for who to put in their next class, they very well know that as a federal service academy they MUST represent americans from all backgrounds, otherwise they're not representing the country they're defending

perhaps, the graduation rate of many minority groups often places them at disadvantages towards post high school education. that said, their will always be those candidates from minority backgrounds who prove to be something truly special that the academies want to have in their class rooms and as leaders of america's finest.

perhaps the 'majority' candidate received more priveledge in their education then the 'minority' candidate and has that reflected in part of their application. regardless, the USNA, USMA, USAFA, USCGA, and the USMMA have NO time for anything less then the best

and any of you who are accepted, regardless of 'minority/majority' background got in because YOU are the best- so my congrats to you!

HM
USMA 13' swimming and diving hopeful
SLS 08 huah
 
the united states naval academy cannot and will not ever take men and women who they feel do not have the potential to be outstanding officers

anything less then that gets men and women killed

So why is there (the easier to get into) ROTC? ROTC officers were "less qualified" - they never got into the academy, the bar was lower for them, they must be getting troops killed!!! :eek:

The vast majority of colleges give points for being a minority. In a sense that is lowering the bar. But just because the bar is lowered so that you can get in with an ACT of 25 instead of 26 doesn't mean you're not capable.

No offense to you Harrison, I've noticed several people say this and it just kind of bugs me..
 
So why is there (the easier to get into) ROTC? ROTC officers were "less qualified" - they never got into the academy...

To me that statement is absurd and has just as much validity as saying charter schools are better than public ones. Just because you get more military preparation at the academy it doesn't necessarily mean you will be a better officer. And if you haven't noticed, there were a number of people on this very forum who turned down USNA to enroll in the ROTC program. Go figure.
 
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To me that statement is absurd and has just as much validity as saying charter schools are better than public ones. Just because you get more military preparation at the academy it doesn't necessarily mean you will be a better officer. And if you haven't noticed, there were a number of people on this very forum who turned down USNA to enroll in the ROTC program. Go figure.

Of course it's absurd! That's the point I was trying to make. Reread the last few posts. (I know I was generalizing about ROTC, but I think my idea is clear.)
 
One statement sent shivers down my back.


If I knew ...I would have gotten a 4.0

To me here lies a problem. The SA's and every college for that fact look for students that are motivated by themselves to achieve. You will need to find that inner motivation if you get into any SA just to survive BCT.

I don't know if you had an epiphany or not, but keep on track. If you don't get in this yr re-apply next yr. It is up to you now to get your dream. It may not be a traditional track, but in the end you will get your goal as long as you keep your focus on it
 
Right on, pima. Self-motivation is something special, something that must be in place for admission and success at any Service Academy.

I am currently assisting kids applying for 4-H scholarships here in Texas who have similar sentiments. "If I had known GPA and test scores were so important to the application, I would have tried harder." Between my gritted teeth, I tell them that $15,000 scholarships are going to be awarded to those who "tried harder." And while they have missed this opportunity, let it be a lesson to them that good things come to those who always give their best.

In the case of SA's, the candidates who succeed seem to be those who give their utmost, nearly each and every time out of the chute as we say here in west Texas! Any less and you get bucked off, face down in the dirt!
 
We got a barrel racer on our hands don't we? (DD loves barrel racing)

I know that for USNA the ride has ended and he is now on a different path.

I write this for those just starting the process. Many kids don't find out about the SAs until later and ea SA knows that (Most that find out earlier do apply for SLS). The SAs are willing to accept a lower gpa, esp. if they are taking the most rigorous courses, it is when there is no true reason that lies beneath the SA will step away. If you find out about the SA late (i.e. this sit) and get rejected, don't give up. There are countless kids who got rejected as a SR went to ROTC as a fresh and recieved appts. If the SA now becomes your dream stay on track and move foward with the intention that one day I will be a mid at Annapolis.

When I dropped off my mom at the train station during Thanksgiving I ran into 4 mids...I thanked them for their service and spoke to them for a few moments. All of them were prior enlisted. 2 of them went enlisted out of hs and never thought of attending USNA, 2 went to try that route for the USNA. There are many paths into an SA, but they all have one thing in common when they graduate...they are USNA grads.
 
So why is there (the easier to get into) ROTC? ROTC officers were "less qualified" - they never got into the academy, the bar was lower for them, they must be getting troops killed!!! :eek:

<snip>

No offense to you Harrison, I've noticed several people say this and it just kind of bugs me..

I fail to see where he said anything critical or demeaning about ROTC. He simply stated the truth: that the Service Academies are in the business of turning out outstanding officers, and that anything that interferes with that could very well translate into getting people killed. Where was the mention, critical or otherwise, of ROTC?

Also, while you WILL hear USxA Alumni state their case as to why the Service Academies are better, you will also hear them explain why they think that way (it has very little to do with chest-thumping), and quickly point out that a) just because they consider the Service Academies to be better it doesn't mean that ROTC programs are BAD, b) that good AND bad officers come out of the Service Academies AND ROTC, and c) that the choice to attend ROTC over a Service Academy may at times be a wiser move.

It seems to me you're jousting against windmills here.
 
I fail to see where he said anything critical or demeaning about ROTC. He simply stated the truth: that the Service Academies are in the business of turning out outstanding officers, and that anything that interferes with that could very well translate into getting people killed. Where was the mention, critical or otherwise, of ROTC?

Also, while you WILL hear USxA Alumni state their case as to why the Service Academies are better, you will also hear them explain why they think that way (it has very little to do with chest-thumping), and quickly point out that a) just because they consider the Service Academies to be better it doesn't mean that ROTC programs are BAD, b) that good AND bad officers come out of the Service Academies AND ROTC, and c) that the choice to attend ROTC over a Service Academy may at times be a wiser move.

It seems to me you're jousting against windmills here.

I agree with you! I was trying to use ROTC as an example to say that many of those that weren't "good enough" for an academy can still get into ROTC. So by saying that the academies won't "lower the bar" because that gets people killed is wrong, since ROTC is a lowered bar and it produces many fine officers.
 
I agree with you! I was trying to use ROTC as an example to say that many of those that weren't "good enough" for an academy can still get into ROTC. So by saying that the academies won't "lower the bar" because that gets people killed is wrong, since ROTC is a lowered bar and it produces many fine officers.
Okay, I am a parent, I don't want to hijack the thread, but this comment I must make.
You are now saying that "those who can't make it into an academy go ROTC"! Just a quick illustration. As of today: my son has LOA and nom to USNA but no decision has been made on his NROTC application. Go figure. I think the standards are pretty much the same for both, there are just more NROTC slots! This really is a fruitless argument that will only make you some enemies instead of friends. Aren't you all in the same Navy in the end? Just a thought.
 
looking over chris's post from a few days ago i have to say,

as a minority candidate myself, i'm kind of insulted that you would say that the bar is lowered for us. the united states naval academy cannot and will not ever take men and women who they feel do not have the potential to be outstanding officers

anything less then that gets men and women killed, so when the USNA and all other service academies look for who to put in their next class, they very well know that as a federal service academy they MUST represent americans from all backgrounds, otherwise they're not representing the country they're defending

perhaps, the graduation rate of many minority groups often places them at disadvantages towards post high school education. that said, their will always be those candidates from minority backgrounds who prove to be something truly special that the academies want to have in their class rooms and as leaders of america's finest.

perhaps the 'majority' candidate received more priveledge in their education then the 'minority' candidate and has that reflected in part of their application. regardless, the USNA, USMA, USAFA, USCGA, and the USMMA have NO time for anything less then the best

and any of you who are accepted, regardless of 'minority/majority' background got in because YOU are the best- so my congrats to you!

HM
USMA 13' swimming and diving hopeful
SLS 08 huah

Not to start anything but unfortunately this is a situation that you're going to have to deal with, there are different academic standards for admittance to all ROTC and SA applicants. I don't think it's fair to anyone to deny that there is a double standard, right or wrong.

I've witnessed this situation twice, once from a USNA grad NROTC LT addressing a group of seniors from my sons high school visiting his Unit. My son asked him what he could do to enhance his resume over the summer and the LT coyly looked over at him and said and I quote "Being a white male isn't going to help you, next question" end quote. The second time was just a few weeks ago at a Marine Corps Recruiting station and my son was talking to his NROTC Captain, the captain said and again I quote "You're going to have to work harder because the needs of the Marine Corps are going to dictate that women and minorities are accepted with the same score or slightly less" end quote. I felt like I was just kicked in the stomach when he said it and he had no idea what our background was, just that we looked white. I'm actually kind of afraid to even talk about this issue!
 
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hey, not much i can tell you.

i'm proud of my LOA to USNA and USMA, i hope i didn't get them for the wrong reasons.
 
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Okay, I am a parent, I don't want to hijack the thread, but this comment I must make.
You are now saying that "those who can't make it into an academy go ROTC"! Just a quick illustration. As of today: my son has LOA and nom to USNA but no decision has been made on his NROTC application. Go figure. I think the standards are pretty much the same for both, there are just more NROTC slots! This really is a fruitless argument that will only make you some enemies instead of friends. Aren't you all in the same Navy in the end? Just a thought.

You'll be surprised to know but there are not really that many more NROTC slots than there are SA Class members. I will search but I just looked a chart recently and it showed that about 14% of Officers come from NROTC and about 12% come from Annapolis. All the rest come from the other commissioning sources like OCS or Platoon leaders program.

Added on edit, I found the stats and also note it was for Marine Corps officers but i think the numbers are similar/proportional for Naval Officers.

An interesting stat I stumbled across for USMC Commissioning Sources FY-07 are as follows:
OCC-33%
PLC-24%
NROTC-16%
USNA-14%
MECEP-8%
ECP/MCP-5%
 
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I thought ROTC was basically for people just as qualified for USNA but couldn't get that nomination from a MOC. The way I see it, either way you are going to be an officer, and it's your natural skills that are going to make you an exceptional officer. Whether your from ROTC, Service academies or ocs, you can become a great leader and have many people respect you. And regarding to the comment about bars being lowered. If I'm not mistaken, USMA has specific "quotas" (in better lack of a term), in percentages of races it must meet. But then again, I am probably just mistaken..
 
USMA has specific "quotas" (in better lack of a term), in percentages of races it must meet. But then again, I am probably just mistaken..

No, that's illegal. They can give points towards admissions which is what I have been talking about.
 
They have to have a certain percentage minority or reflecting the population or fleet.. forgot which. (something like that)

I apologize for bringing such a sensitive subject up.
 
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