Any idea on what I could do in 2 years before I apply?

NanoCyborg

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Feb 24, 2017
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Hey everyone, I am looking to apply to USMMA and state academies if I end up not getting in but,
I was just wondering what my chances really are to get into USMMA, and what could I improve within the next two years to better my chances. ( will be applying march of 2019)

Keep in mind, this is kind of hypothetical because I am in my 2nd semester at CC right now, but this is what I expect based on current trends in my life and what I am expecting of myself.

High school GPA : 3.06

College GPA : 3.8 (3.75 currently)

ACT : 26. 19M & 26E. Plan on retaking or just not submitting.

SAT : 1550. 470M & 580E. Already signed up for the May test and actually studying this time (Only took it once and didn't study once for it) I expect to either have the minimum reqs which are 580M and 560E, or a bit higher. Probably like in the 50% rank for USMMA if I'm reading that correctly.

High School ECs : President of Chess Club, CAD/Engineering classes, Debate club

College ECs : Member of Phi Theta Kappa, Rec Ice Hockey (I don't know if this is considered at all, but I emailed my admissions officer and am awaiting the email), Member of the Chess Club, Piano for 3 years, Norwegian at a B2 level, Worked on a presidential campaign (local volunteer level), Work at a costco, hoping to have hundreds of hours in a specific community service (more than likely going to be something to do with Church or possibly soup kitchen).

Classes I will be taking/have taken in College : Physics 1 + lab, Chem 1 (no lab offered), Bio 1 + lab, Accounting 101+2, Econ 101+2, Stats, Calc 1+2, and possibly Chem 2.

I don't really know if my dad being a disabled navy vet would help on anything, but there is that.

If you could be honest and tell me if I have any sort of chance, I hope to have a small chance at least and hope to improve said chance over these two years.

Thanks.
 
I don't really understand what the plan is--you are in CC right now, and you intend on waiting another 2 years? I don't understand that, but, it is not the focus of your question. why not apply now--for entry in '18.

But, I will give my .02 on your questions

You can't do anything about your high school gpa. but, it is a base level, that you can use to your advantage, to show improvement, maturity, growth, etc.

College GPA : 3.8 (3.75 currently)

This is a good gpa, but it really depends on what courses are being taken, the reputation of the cc, etc. If you are on a 4.0 scale, and are taking a full load, then, it is a good gpa.

ACT : 26. 19M & 26E. Plan on retaking or just not submitting.

Once you submit a test result, I believe all test results are available to the schools. But, low scores do not count. USMMA superscores, which is they take the highest English and the highest math, and use those two scores to reach your composite score. I do not know if the superscore will consider scores from 2016, 2017, 2018 2019 and 2020 though. I would imagine that there is a time limit for the scores that would be included in a superscore calculation. From first glance, a higher English would be looked at more favorably, and the math probably has a definite need to increase. You may want to try to get up to the 30 or higher levels if you can. I believe there are minimums you can find on the USMMA website. Minimums do not mean you get in. It just means they will look at the application. Study hard, take prep classes, and work on the scores.

SAT : 1550. 470M & 580E. Already signed up for the May test and actually studying this time (Only took it once and didn't study once for it) I expect to either have the minimum reqs which are 580M and 560E, or a bit higher. Probably like in the 50% rank for USMMA if I'm reading that correctly.

Just imho, if you are shooting for minimums, USMMA may be a difficult place for you to attend, stay at. The SAT numbers fall into the same category as the act numbers discussed above.

High School ECs : President of Chess Club, CAD/Engineering classes, Debate club

High school is past, so you have a whole new opportunity to show leadership and athleticism.


College ECs : Member of Phi Theta Kappa, Rec Ice Hockey (I don't know if this is considered at all, but I emailed my admissions officer and am awaiting the email), Member of the Chess Club, Piano for 3 years, Norwegian at a B2 level, Worked on a presidential campaign (local volunteer level), Work at a costco, hoping to have hundreds of hours in a specific community service (more than likely going to be something to do with Church or possibly soup kitchen).

Look at things that require leadership. Are you just going to volunteer at the church, or are you going to take on the project and lead it and lead other volunteers? Run the soup kitchen program instead of just showing up to work it. Are you going to promote to a leadership position at Costco? Is your piano to the level of public shows, etc.? If so, use your concerts/etc. to get some publicity that you can show a different talent than others would have.

The one item I do not see is anything athletic. You do not have a varsity letter, and no chance for something similar to that at a cc. But, you can become involved in club sports--not just ymca pick up ball, but a defined club sport, with defined leagues, etc. and something more than just the guys after work playing and drinking beers after. Being successful in such, and aspiring to be a captain would help. If team sports are not your thing, find something individually, biking, running, swimming, tennis, golf, etc., and engage in it as if you were on a team. Compete with success and where there is a record. I.E. If you are into triathlons, do them, do them well, and save the ranking you receive.


Classes I will be taking/have taken in College : Physics 1 + lab, Chem 1 (no lab offered), Bio 1 + lab, Accounting 101+2, Econ 101+2, Stats, Calc 1+2, and possibly Chem 2.

Physics, calculus, English, all are important. Chemistry more so than biology. labs are needed.


I don't really know if my dad being a disabled navy vet would help on anything, but there is that.

If you could be honest and tell me if I have any sort of chance, I hope to have a small chance at least and hope to improve said chance over these two years.

If this is your dream, go for it. You have a lot of work to do, but, anything can be done if you want it bad enough
 
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For the most part, I agree with golfindad.

Not sure what the mins are for the ACT/SAT but you will need to get the Math up big time. As a side note, there is a Mid in my sons class who did basically what you are doing - rec'd his degree from CC and even did prep school (I think) - so you can do this. I would load up on the Calc - Chem - Physics and take some engineering classes - Bio is nice but probably will not help much. You list many Accounting and Econ classes again nice but probably not much help. Look at the USMMA site to see what the ACT/SAT requirements are because they change year to year.

Show some leadership if possible and if you like hockey advance at that and consider letting the hockey coach know (it's club at USMMA not varsity) and it may help you get a few extra points.

You do realize that if you do receive an appointment, you will be one of the older/oldest plebe in your class - that is not a bad thing but you just need to be aware of it as you will not have the freedoms that you have now.

Nobody can tell you what your chances are or not of receiving an appointment since nobody knows who you will be going up against or who you will be compared to - also depends on where you live - some states are much more competitive than others.

Best of luck to you and keep plugging.
 
If you really want to be in the maritime industry, I'd recommend a state maritime academy, and a deck major. With that level of math, you will struggle hard at KP academically, coupling that with the plebe stuff...isn't going to be a good time. Wouldn't recommend.
 
I don't really understand what the plan is--you are in CC right now, and you intend on waiting another 2 years? I don't understand that, but, it is not the focus of your question. why not apply now--for entry in '18.

Like I said, most of this stuff on this is what I'm either planning to do or doing atm. I also am planning on retaking the SAT/ACT and I have to wait 16 months before I apply with the new scores.

You can't do anything about your high school gpa. but, it is a base level, that you can use to your advantage, to show improvement, maturity, growth, etc.

Yeah I was assuming that, thanks

This is a good gpa, but it really depends on what courses are being taken, the reputation of the cc, etc. If you are on a 4.0 scale, and are taking a full load, then, it is a good gpa.

Yup, 4.0 scale. Next semester I'm just taking all math courses, and the semester after I will try to take more math courses. Last semester was Japanese, Business Law, Accounting 101, and a math class so I assume it wasn't supposed to be that easy, but nothing impossible for a determined student.

Once you submit a test result, I believe all test results are available to the schools. But, low scores do not count. USMMA superscores, which is they take the highest English and the highest math, and use those two scores to reach your composite score. I do not know if the superscore will consider scores from 2016, 2017, 2018 2019 and 2020 though. I would imagine that there is a time limit for the scores that would be included in a superscore calculation. From first glance, a higher English would be looked at more favorably, and the math probably has a definite need to increase. You may want to try to get up to the 30 or higher levels if you can. I believe there are minimums you can find on the USMMA website. Minimums do not mean you get in. It just means they will look at the application. Study hard, take prep classes, and work on the scores.

Alright thanks, I'll look into the next dates for the ACT and study this time and I hopefully will be hitting 28+ on math and even higher on English.

Just imho, if you are shooting for minimums, USMMA may be a difficult place for you to attend, stay at. The SAT numbers fall into the same category as the act numbers discussed above.

I didn't mean to make it sound like I'm shooting for minimums, I just meant that is the lowest I'd assume I would get if I did take the tests again and studied this time.

High school is past, so you have a whole new opportunity to show leadership and athleticism.



Look at things that require leadership. Are you just going to volunteer at the church, or are you going to take on the project and lead it and lead other volunteers? Run the soup kitchen program instead of just showing up to work it. Are you going to promote to a leadership position at Costco? Is your piano to the level of public shows, etc.? If so, use your concerts/etc. to get some publicity that you can show a different talent than others would have.


Thank you for your suggestions, I'm thinking of getting a group of friends together and getting a few more people and doing a few beach cleanups and maybe something to do with helping the homeless, but leading it rather than just partaking. I wouldn't say my piano is good enough for public shows, but maybe I'm wrong, I'll try to improve and get to that level. I will def also be striving for leadership at Costco.

The one item I do not see is anything athletic. You do not have a varsity letter, and no chance for something similar to that at a cc. But, you can become involved in club sports--not just ymca pick up ball, but a defined club sport, with defined leagues, etc. and something more than just the guys after work playing and drinking beers after. Being successful in such, and aspiring to be a captain would help. If team sports are not your thing, find something individually, biking, running, swimming, tennis, golf, etc., and engage in it as if you were on a team. Compete with success and where there is a record. I.E. If you are into triathlons, do them, do them well, and save the ranking you receive.


Yeah, I asked the officer and hasn't gotten back to me but I def agree. Right now there is no hockey offered at my CC only normal southern california sports. I am thinking of trying for the water polo team though since I've always been interested in that sport. I will check out running and competing in marathons and triathlons, seems like it would be a good time and help me succeed in this as you said.

Physics, calculus, English, all are important. Chemistry more so than biology. labs are needed.

I mis-read and the labs are offered in the class rather than another class like Physics or bio. I will def do chem 2 then and hit up higher levels of English. For one reason or another, my school actually offers sailing classes. You think taking those would help me at all?

If this is your dream, go for it. You have a lot of work to do, but, anything can be done if you want it bad enough[/QUOTE]

I really appreciate all the help brother. thanks
 
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For the most part, I agree with golfindad.

Not sure what the mins are for the ACT/SAT but you will need to get the Math up big time. As a side note, there is a Mid in my sons class who did basically what you are doing - rec'd his degree from CC and even did prep school (I think) - so you can do this. I would load up on the Calc - Chem - Physics and take some engineering classes - Bio is nice but probably will not help much. You list many Accounting and Econ classes again nice but probably not much help. Look at the USMMA site to see what the ACT/SAT requirements are because they change year to year.

Show some leadership if possible and if you like hockey advance at that and consider letting the hockey coach know (it's club at USMMA not varsity) and it may help you get a few extra points.

You do realize that if you do receive an appointment, you will be one of the older/oldest plebe in your class - that is not a bad thing but you just need to be aware of it as you will not have the freedoms that you have now.

Nobody can tell you what your chances are or not of receiving an appointment since nobody knows who you will be going up against or who you will be compared to - also depends on where you live - some states are much more competitive than others.

Best of luck to you and keep plugging.

Alright thanks, I'll look at engineering classes aswell. I just found out sailing classes are a thing at my college, you reckon that would help at all? I'm going to continue at hockey and try to get better and hopefully good enough to play at the D3 ACHA level at USMMA, but was also considering water polo at my CC or something individually like Golfindad recommended. Eh, being the oldest isn't that big of a deal, I will be 21 when I get in so it's not that old but I understand what you mean. I know that California is pretty competitive which is sadly where I'm from but I think I'll be fine if I end up doing most of the stuff im planning and more.

Thanks a lot
 
If you really want to be in the maritime industry, I'd recommend a state maritime academy, and a deck major. With that level of math, you will struggle hard at KP academically, coupling that with the plebe stuff...isn't going to be a good time. Wouldn't recommend.

Thanks for the concern, I think my math was that bad on my SAT and ACT because I didn't really study at all and took it only once but I understand where you are coming from, I do feel like I am getting and understanding and excelling in math much more than in HS or on those tests. I am planning on doing a deck major but if I can get into KP I am going to try.

Thanks though
 
Waiting until '19 to apply for admission in order to do who knows what for an additional 2 years is an awful strategy, being completely honest.
 
Waiting until '19 to apply for admission in order to do who knows what for an additional 2 years is an awful strategy, being completely honest.

I cannot apply to Cal Maritime, which is the main state academy I'd be going to behind USMMA, until fall of 2018 in the first place (as confirmed by their admissions officers). Also, as I said I cannot apply until after I have retaken my SAT/ACT which makes me wait 16 months until I can even apply. So the earliest I can apply is literally in '19.
 
Thanks for the concern, I think my math was that bad on my SAT and ACT because I didn't really study at all and took it only once but I understand where you are coming from, I do feel like I am getting and understanding and excelling in math much more than in HS or on those tests. I am planning on doing a deck major but if I can get into KP I am going to try.

Thanks though
You'll need to greatly improve your SAT scores for USMMA, even if you are looking at the marine transportation or transportation logistics majors. Good luck.
 
You'll need to greatly improve your SAT scores for USMMA, even if you are looking at the marine transportation or transportation logistics majors. Good luck.

Thanks man. I will know whether I am up to snuff in June once I get my May SAT results
 
I cannot apply to Cal Maritime, which is the main state academy I'd be going to behind USMMA, until fall of 2018 in the first place (as confirmed by their admissions officers). Also, as I said I cannot apply until after I have retaken my SAT/ACT which makes me wait 16 months until I can even apply. So the earliest I can apply is literally in '19.

Where are you getting the information that you must wait 16 months after you've retaken the SAT/ACT before you can apply???
 
Where are you getting the information that you must wait 16 months after you've retaken the SAT/ACT before you can apply???

From https://www.usmma.edu/admissions/application/sat-and-act-exams

"Required testing must be completed by the first test date of the year in which admission is sought, unless permission is requested and granted, in writing, from the Academy's director of admissions. All tests should be taken within 16 months prior to the month of enrollment."

It's not after I've retaken them persay, it's 16 months after I've taken it if I want those scores to count. Unless I'm misunderstanding the whole thing, which I could very likely be doing.
 
Go back and read your link again. It says:

"All tests should be taken within 16 months prior to the month of enrollment."

Within 16 months prior.....that means the test should be taken no longer than 16 months before enrollment. If you wait 16 months after you take the test before you apply, that test score will not count.
 
Go back and read your link again. It says:

"All tests should be taken within 16 months prior to the month of enrollment."

Within 16 months prior.....that means the test should be taken no longer than 16 months before enrollment. If you wait 16 months after you take the test before you apply, that test score will not count.

Oh wow, that's pretty important, thank you a lot. I really appreciate that, I apparently need to work on my instruction-reading skills, holy ****.
 
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