NROTC-MO Chances?

NDIUSuperfan

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
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Hello everyone, I am currently a high school sophomore interested in pursuing a career as an officer in the Marine Corps via NROTC. My #1 school had been the Naval Academy, but after realizing that I was not guaranteed a Marine slot, I started to look at other options.

My question is this: between now and the time I apply, what can I improve to be competitive for the scholarship? My first school choice at this time is Purdue University, my second is the University of Notre Dame.

Academics:
Class rank: 3/147
GPA: 11.6 (my school uses a 12 point scale)
Pursuing an Academic Honors Diploma
Classes taken-
Freshman Year: Geometry, Honors English, Biology, 2-D & 3-D Art, PE, Health, Career Readiness, Spanish 1.
Sophomore Year: AP/DC World History, Algebra II, Spanish II, Advanced Health, Chemistry, In-School Internship, Honors English 10. Intro to Agriculture.

Notes: From Sophomore to Senior year, my school only offers 5 AP classes. We are also required to take 1 year of PE, 1 year of art classes, and the Career Readiness class to graduate. I am also looking to transfer out of the Agriculture class into a Speech or Debate class where I will actually be challenged.

Junior year I plan on taking: AP US History, AP Chemistry, DC Pre-Calculus, DC Advanced Composition/Themed Lit, Spanish III.

Test Scores:
PSAT: CR- 63 Math- 47 Writing Skill- 62 Cumulative- 172.

Athletics/Leadership:
Varsity Cross Country: 9th, 10th. Varsity letters both years, co-captain (girl's team) 10th grade. Mental Attitude Award recipient 9th grade.
Junior Varsity Basketball: 9th, 10th.
Junior Varsity Softball: 9th. Patriot Award (mental attitude, hustle, team player) recipient 9th.

Future/Work Experience:
I plan on participating in NHS 11th-12th grades and hopefully obtaining a leadership position within the group.
From 6th-8th grades, I worked on a help-needed basis, weed whacking a trucking company with my dad and uncle. (Pay.)
I have babysat both family members and friend's children since 8th grade when needed. (Pay.)
I help work in concessions, run scoreboard, clean, and keep stats at my old school during basketball and volleyball seasons. Again, whenever I'm needed. (Not for pay.)
I voulenteer around my church, acolyting, ushering, and with the Scrip program on Sundays.
I also hope to peer tutor 11th-12th grades if I have time in my schedule.


Well, that was a postful :biggrin:
Any feedback and advice is much appreciated! I know no one can tell me my exact chances, and I'll never know if I never try. I'm just getting a head-start to see where I can improve before application time rolls around. Thank you everyone :thumb:
 
Work very hard on your math standardized test scores to improve in that area, strive to get as many leadership positions as you can and do your best to go to Girls State (I assume you're a girl since you play softball).
 
I really don't see any leadership in your resume. Work on getting some leadership positions. Start working on pullups/flexed arm hangs. They'll go to pullups for women sometime in the not too distant future... at least that's the plan.
 
I really don't see any leadership in your resume. Work on getting some leadership positions. Start working on pullups/flexed arm hangs. They'll go to pullups for women sometime in the not too distant future... at least that's the plan.

Do you have any suggestions? I go to a small high school; we really don't have any clubs other than athletics. If I don't make varsity softball come spring, I would be the JV team captain and I'll be a co-captain on cross country until I graduate. Basketball is iffy, I've been told I'll most likely be cut next year (I'm 5'2 with shoes on if you squint :rolleyes:)
 
Do you have any suggestions? I go to a small high school; we really don't have any clubs other than athletics. If I don't make varsity softball come spring, I would be the JV team captain and I'll be a co-captain on cross country until I graduate. Basketball is iffy, I've been told I'll most likely be cut next year (I'm 5'2 with shoes on if you squint :rolleyes:)

Leadership can come from positions in clubs, class office, volunteer, paid jobs, sports teams, etc.

You could start an organization, organize a charity event, start your own business.

The possibilities are endless.
 
Thank you for the ideas guys. If leadership's something I need to work on then I guess that's what I'll do :thumb:
 
Thank you for the ideas guys. If leadership's something I need to work on then I guess that's what I'll do :thumb:

NDIUSuperfan: You sound like a great kid, but please understand that you need to work on everything in order to put yourself in the best position to accomplish your goals. Grades need to stay high; standardized tests (SAT and ACT); extracurricular activities, leadership, physical fitness, etc.

Notre Dame is certainly a tough school to get into (particularly if you live within a few hours) and Purdue is tough also.

Continue to seek excellence in everything you do and seek out every opportunity.

Good luck!
 
NDIUSuperfan: You sound like a great kid, but please understand that you need to work on everything in order to put yourself in the best position to accomplish your goals. Grades need to stay high; standardized tests (SAT and ACT); extracurricular activities, leadership, physical fitness, etc.

Notre Dame is certainly a tough school to get into (particularly if you live within a few hours) and Purdue is tough also.

Continue to seek excellence in everything you do and seek out every opportunity.

Good luck!

Thanks USMCGrunt! Being a native Hoosier, believe me I know how hard it is to get into Notre Dame :rolleyes: I did retake the PSAT about a month ago; the first time I took it was 2 months into freshman year. To say I was lost in the math section would be an understatement. I'll get the scores back in a month or two I believe.
 
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