Does going to a small school hold me back?

ironcloud9

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Dec 18, 2014
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I go to a small rural school in South Dakota, and I'm worried that it will hold me back. I only have 14 kids in my grade. I currently have around a 3.6 GPA, not sure what the exact number is. I have participated in football, basketball, and track and field every high school year as well as playing baseball in the summer. I also scored a 29 on the ACT. I am most worried about me not being able to take challenging courses such as AP courses. I just passed College Algebra with an A and will be taking college composition next semester, but other than that, i have only taken core classes and electives, because that is all my school offered.I did attend SLE and recieved a congressional nomination this week, but after seeing all these kids on here who didn't get in and had better academics than me, I'm worried. Does my small class size and less challenging course load greatly diminish my chances or no? Any help at all is appreciated.
 
You're fine. Do you think that you are the first candidate from a small town? Read Dwight Eisenhower's biography and relax. The Academy communicates with your school and they know more than you think about your educational experience. If you have taken the hardest courses you could and have high grades, played 3 varsity sports, and filled your summer with activity----you have done far more than most kids in any school. Thank your lucky stars (if not your parents) for living in a sparsely populated state as your competition is drastically reduced. You have an excellent chance to be appointed. Congratulations on the nomination and good luck.
 
ACT next test date is Feb and it has limited test sites. Not much opportunity for candidates to repeat test at this point. OP, sounds like you have compensated for your high school's limited offerings by taking college classes. Agree with Spud...there are some advantages to living in a rural area of the country. Would expect competition to be less. Congrats on nom
 
<<< Not an admissions officer, but you might be a candidate for USMAPS.

29 is a good score. Of course 30's are better, but as as been said above, there's no more time to take tests. The lack of certain courses might make you academically unqualified, thereby making you eligible to attend USMAPS.

Just curious - East River or West River?
 
East river, north of aberdeen. I think if I get sent to a prep school, I probably won't go. I would really like to attend West Point, but the idea of basically going through plebe year twice doesn't sound that appealing, unless the prep school isn't quite as hardcore.
 
East river, north of aberdeen. I think if I get sent to a prep school, I probably won't go. I would really like to attend West Point, but the idea of basically going through plebe year twice doesn't sound that appealing, unless the prep school isn't quite as hardcore.

My wife's family was from Redfield, I've been to Aberdeen and Wiley Park many times.

Don't discount an offer to the prep school if you get it. Like I said, I'm not an admissions officer so it might not even be offered.

Good Luck.
 
Ironman, you have a inaccurate concept of the prep school. It is not plebe year. There are no upperclass. It is a military school and you will learn basic military skills like making a bed, marching, care and wearing of a uniform, and daily athletics but it is not a boot camp and the emphasis is on academics. To not take an offer of the prep school is absolutely foolish.
 
I go to a small rural school in South Dakota, and I'm worried that it will hold me back. I only have 14 kids in my grade. I currently have around a 3.6 GPA, not sure what the exact number is. I have participated in football, basketball, and track and field every high school year as well as playing baseball in the summer. I also scored a 29 on the ACT. I am most worried about me not being able to take challenging courses such as AP courses. I just passed College Algebra with an A and will be taking college composition next semester, but other than that, i have only taken core classes and electives, because that is all my school offered.I did attend SLE and recieved a congressional nomination this week, but after seeing all these kids on here who didn't get in and had better academics than me, I'm worried. Does my small class size and less challenging course load greatly diminish my chances or no? Any help at all is appreciated.

I don't think this will hinder you and I disagree with the poster indicating that you may only be considered for the Prep School. It really depends upon who your competition is. My DS goes to a small school, as well, that has only 17 kids in his class, has no AP classes, nor the opportunity to take college classes while in HS. Albeit, they do offer an all Honors College-Prep curriculum. My bigger concern was that they also do not offer have class officers or elected leadership positions for any clubs. It is a new school and he is only the 2nd graduating class ever. None-the-less, he has received his appointment to the Naval Academy already. So don't get discouraged and know that you have done great for what you have had to work with. Good luck to you!
 
^^^Like I said, I'm not an admissions officer, but there was a poster here last year from very rural West Texas - like maybe 14-15 kids in his class. Similar situation. He didn't have a very strong academic resume due to the lack of courses at his school. Not bad SAT/ACT if I remember correctly. He got offered and is currently at NAPS.
 
I just saw on the portal a letter that said I am academically qualified, does that rule out USMAPS?
 
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