My Chances???

HSClassof2017

5-Year Member
Joined
May 31, 2014
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I am from Kentucky. I recently finished my freshman year of high school and it is my dream to attend USAFA. If anyone could provide me with feedback and suggestions on how to become more competitive for USMA acceptance, it would be greatly appreciated!

-I am very athletic, I would have no issues on the physical test. 1 minute pushup test I can do 68 pushups and 68 situps. I run the mile in less than 6:45

-I have 4 year varsity letter in 2 sports. I was a varsity athlete as a freshman in both football and lacrosse.

-2014 Lacrosse State Champion. (Freshman Year)

-3.71 GPA, unweighted (Unaware of my class rank) 94.3 Average

-Elected Representative of Latin Club

-Elected Representative of Student Council

-Elected School House Representative

-Elected Representative on the Honor Council

-I take all honors classes, AP World History as sophomore

I think I can be a team captain in football and lacrosse. Also, I am considering playing sports at USAFA.(I don't know if that would change chance of acceptance) (preferably football)

If anyone knows how competitive I am for acceptance at USAFA, please tell me. Any feedback on what I can improve on? I will try to attend Boys State and other leadership seminars.
 
I was going to be smarmy and say: write back in two years. If you'll just take a look thru this site, you can get a feel for your own chances. I for one would hesitate to say anything other than "keep up the good work" and "don't get cocky" to a 14 or 15 year old.

How do you get a 4-year letter after one year of high school?
 
Every time I get this question personally I always give the same answer: give it your best shot and you will be giving yourself the best chance you have. Candidates always have this plan in their head (I plan on getting a 34 on the ACT, to be captain of the soccer team, class president, etc..) but forget that achieving those goals takes a LOT of effort on their end. You have to study, practice, on and on... be sure to put in the effort, and regardless of whether or not you get in, you will see results. Best of luck.
 
To our OP: you asked for chances in one thread and recommendations in another. Were you hoping to get different advice?

Take a look at the sticky above, do your best in EVERYTHING, take nothing for granted. Get a job. Continue in your sport(s) and avoid injury.
 
How do you get a 4-year letter after one year of high school?
If he's a Varsity athlete as a freshman and unless he get seriously injured in the next three years, when he graduates he will have been a 4 year varsity athlete. Good luck, stay focus and work hard
 
You look like you're on the right track. I would encourage you to research the nomination process. That's the big hurdle to get over and each congressman has 10 nominations for 5 vacancies at each academy. So just being from a certain state / district can help or hurt your chances based on how things play out. I'm not sure if 5 vacancies is still accurate since the incoming class size has been reduced.

Other people on the board will give much better advice, but for my DD and my wife and I, the nomination process was the confusing wild card. So much of it is just out of your hands. If you live in Colorado, I would imagine that it's extremely difficult to get into the Academy due to proximity. New York / West Point, same thing.

On a lighter note, the nomination part seemed like "The Hunger Games" at times. Who will represent District 5?
 
Well I'm from Kentucky, where the public school system is poor. However we have some of the best private schools in the nation here. I go to a private school and I tend to test well on a national level, so I think I should be okay.
 
Key points of advice:

Always stay humble and helpful.
Absorb everything you can, but don't feel obligated to put "your stamp" on a project.

If and when you get in, no one really cares where you're from, how good your school was, how high your test scores were, how much of an athlete you are etc. etc.

Let your actions and demeanor indicate what kind of person you are.

Never assume to operate on a "higher level" than others or you'll do more harm than good in the long run.
 
Key points of advice:

Always stay humble and helpful.
Absorb everything you can, but don't feel obligated to put "your stamp" on a project.

If and when you get in, no one really cares where you're from, how good your school was, how high your test scores were, how much of an athlete you are etc. etc.

Let your actions and demeanor indicate what kind of person you are.

Never assume to operate on a "higher level" than others or you'll do more harm than good in the long run.

I really like this kind of advice...No one can really tell you today whether you stand a chance of getting a USAFA appointment, so I'd just like to add that you should always be "authentic"...your motivation should not be "getting into USAFA" but rather "being the best person I can be." So choose activities and leadership because you feel that you can contribute and not because it will look good on a resume. Of course, strive for As and perfect SATs, but also strive to be a good teammate and a supporting player first, and then leadership will follow. And if you do that, then you will have done all you can do to earn an appointment. The rest isn't up to you.
 
To be somewhat more encouraging, you're stats are looking good! Don't worry too much about it now. Seriously, high school flies by. Enjoy it and focus on school more than college apps etc. at this point. You'll worry about it enough later :yllol: Again, though, don't get too cocky and stay on track! Definitely in the right direction.
 
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