Do I have a shot?

Brady_bunch28

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Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
15
Hi, I'm new to this forum so bare with me... I am a junior in high school and will be apying to the coast guard academy this coming summer. I am not the strongest student with the best SAT scores but I believe I make up for it with extracurricular activities and volunteering. If you could review my accomplishments for my high school career and let me know what you think my future will look like if I apply, that would be great...

Academics:
Gpa unweighted-3.5
Gpa weighted-4.0
Class rank-50% (very prestigious high school)
Sat- cr580 math510 writing520
Act- taking this month
Junior class Vice President
Spanish honor society member
Tennis club president

Sports
Varsity tennis 10,11 grade
Unified tennis- assistant coach 10,11
Jv lacrosse 9
Freshman football 9
(In all sports I received a minds in motion award for maintaining a specific gpa while in season)

Volunteering
Religious education assistant teacher for youth students
Damascus help(deliver food to those in need)
Started a campaign against bullying and had guest speakers come to my school to give speeches to our student body

Thank you for your responses and I hope I was using this forum correctly
 
You'll never know unless you try!

That said...if your SAT doesn't go up considerably, I'd venture to guess that you'd be a more likely prep candidate. Take it again (and good for you for trying the ACT!) and push hard this last semester for A's in all classes, but especially math and science (those classes carry more weight in the admissions process). Are you taking Pre-Calc or Calc? Choose a lab science (Chem or physics ) over a general science type class. Hopefully you'll get a captains position for Tennis next year, as a large percentage (upwards of 50%...maybe closer to 75%) have a key leadership position in their EC/sport.

Good luck.
 
You'll never know unless you try!

That said...if your SAT doesn't go up considerably, I'd venture to guess that you'd be a more likely prep candidate. Take it again (and good for you for trying the ACT!) and push hard this last semester for A's in all classes, but especially math and science (those classes carry more weight in the admissions process). Are you taking Pre-Calc or Calc? Choose a lab science (Chem or physics ) over a general science type class. Hopefully you'll get a captains position for Tennis next year, as a large percentage (upwards of 50%...maybe closer to 75%) have a key leadership position in their EC/sport.

Good luck.
Thank you for your reply! I also forgot to mention I got accepted into Boys State... Hopefully that will have some sway into my favor too
 
In reality, nobody on the forum can "chance" your resume for admission; however, I think it looks like you have potential to be a strong candidate. The Boy's State participation will certainly add to your leadership portion of your candidate file.

I think the most sound strategy for you is to take the standardized tests (SAT and ACT) every time they are offered. Obviousy that can be quite costly, but there is no penalty for taking them multiple times. Don't feel like you need to wait to take a few more classes or the passing of time will improve your scores - just take the tests EVERY TIME they are offered.

Just stay motivated and do everything that you can. Talk to an academy admissions officer for advice as well...my guess is they will advise you to continue to work on your standardized tests and apply during Regular Action. Keep working and good luck!
 
I don't do the "chance me" posts, but I'm confused by the class rank. Are you saying you're in the top 50% of the class? Does that mean you're not in the top 1-49%? What would you estimate your class rank to be, now?
 
The one thing you have to keep in mind throughout your application process is that only you can decide if you have a shot at an appointment. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how long you spent editing your essays, how early you got your bgo/alo interview in, and how proactive you are in the process. In my experience with my stats most wouldn't think I would have gotten an appointment, and I have to admit I surprised myself too, but I always focused my energy towards getting in, not towards what others thought.
 
From my "experience", which is extremely limited, it has little to do with your numerical qualifications. SAT/ACT/GPA get you in the door, once you achieve the bar (which varies), but then it's a "what ELSE do you bring"? kind of question.

The posters above are concerned your SAT, specifically math, may not meet the bar. So that's extremely important. Shellz is right; you might be a prep school candidate. I was.
Everyone you're competing against has the same statistics, so your essays and your other extracurriculars are the make or break. Everyone has a 4.0, everyone has taken multiple AP classes, and is the smartest in their class, etc etc.

I'm convinced that what got me through the door to prep (which is in fact the best way to go; don't let anyone tell you otherwise), was the fact that my essays were extremely personal. I talked about how I was a beach lifeguard, and how I became interested in the Coast Guard through those experiences. Some people try to pick up 5-10 clubs just to say they did it; I think that's pretty transparent to the admissions staff that you're just padding your resume. To have a chance, you need to explain what makes you tick, why you do the things you do, and why the Coast Guard fits into that. I'll never know for sure, but I think that's why they gave me the thumbs up; I explained myself as a person, not just a set of numbers.

I'm not saying you need to explain yourself on the forum, I'm just saying when you do your application, keep in mind that all "competitive" applicants are already qualified academically.
Qualify yourself academically by raising your SAT (or ACT, some do better on it), and then figure out what's important to you. Then explain why what's important to you should be important to Admissions.
 
In reality, nobody on the forum can "chance" your resume for admission; however, I think it looks like you have potential to be a strong candidate. The Boy's State participation will certainly add to your leadership portion of your candidate file.

I think the most sound strategy for you is to take the standardized tests (SAT and ACT) every time they are offered. Obviousy that can be quite costly, but there is no penalty for taking them multiple times. Don't feel like you need to wait to take a few more classes or the passing of time will improve your scores - just take the tests EVERY TIME they are offered.

Just stay motivated and do everything that you can. Talk to an academy admissions officer for advice as well...my guess is they will advise you to continue to work on your standardized tests and apply during Regular Action. Keep working and good luck!
Thank you, I appreciate it!!!
 
From my "experience", which is extremely limited, it has little to do with your numerical qualifications. SAT/ACT/GPA get you in the door, once you achieve the bar (which varies), but then it's a "what ELSE do you bring"? kind of question.

The posters above are concerned your SAT, specifically math, may not meet the bar. So that's extremely important. Shellz is right; you might be a prep school candidate. I was.
Everyone you're competing against has the same statistics, so your essays and your other extracurriculars are the make or break. Everyone has a 4.0, everyone has taken multiple AP classes, and is the smartest in their class, etc etc.

I'm convinced that what got me through the door to prep (which is in fact the best way to go; don't let anyone tell you otherwise), was the fact that my essays were extremely personal. I talked about how I was a beach lifeguard, and how I became interested in the Coast Guard through those experiences. Some people try to pick up 5-10 clubs just to say they did it; I think that's pretty transparent to the admissions staff that you're just padding your resume. To have a chance, you need to explain what makes you tick, why you do the things you do, and why the Coast Guard fits into that. I'll never know for sure, but I think that's why they gave me the thumbs up; I explained myself as a person, not just a set of numbers.

I'm not saying you need to explain yourself on the forum, I'm just saying when you do your application, keep in mind that all "competitive" applicants are already qualified academically.
Qualify yourself academically by raising your SAT (or ACT, some do better on it), and then figure out what's important to you. Then explain why what's important to you should be important to Admissions.
I too am a life guard btw... But your response really meant a lot to me. I believe that the admissions board is truly looking for that one thing that separates you from everyone else. With that being said, essays and extras are definitely in my favor. Once again, thank you
 
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