How do I stack up against the competition? What can I work on?

sa_applicant2023

USNA 2023
Joined
Dec 19, 2017
Messages
102
Hi, I am a junior applying for admission to the class of 2023. I simply want to see what I can work on in order to strengthen my application to the service academies, so all advice is accepted.
GPA: 3.61 unweighted 3.81 weighted NOTE: upward trend from freshman year (where I did horrible) - straight A's in junior year
1300 PSAT 680 math 620 reading ( I took SAT getting scores soon)
-Fluent arabic speaking conversationally, can read as well
Math three years honors, 100% in pre-calculus unweighted junior year
Science three years honors, bio, Chemistry, physics, forensic science
History - AP USH, AP world, Regents U.S. History honors
English 3 years honors
-Student Organization/government officer (elected senior historian)
-Air Force Civil Air Patrol (will be NCO in July)
-New York city group cadet advisory council unit representative
-National Honor Society member
-EAA and Air Force Association Member
-Library Volunteer of the Month, CAP cadet of the month
-Over three years of Tae Kwon Do (black belt to be earned in September) - right now I am a senior student
-1 year varsity wrestling, 1 year track fielder (junior year - present)
- Tech Cafe shift manager for 1 year, president right now (cafe that donates its proceeds to charity)
-newspaper editor 1 year
-Future Business leaders club 1 year
-over 100 hours of community service
-had three jobs, currently hold one during school year 13 hours a week
-AUTOCAD certified
 
I'd focus on increasing test scores right now. 1300 PSAT is not bad, but many applicants will have much higher SAT/ACT scores. I'd suggest getting some prep books, doing self practice, and aiming for 1500+ SAT or 33 ACT to maximize your chances.
 
If someone at school tells you its too late to apply for Boys/Girls State contact a local American Legion rep. They love to help if you are interested
 
If someone at school tells you its too late to apply for Boys/Girls State contact a local American Legion rep. They love to help if you are interested
whether or not he is late depends on the state involved. Here in NJ, the internal cutoff for completed applications to Legion HQ is June 1st and that is after interviews at local posts and a round of signatures. Most of my posts from my county have already picked their delegates and are in various stages of getting admin completed.
 
It’s great to see someone else from New York City group CAP on this forum! Good luck on your application. (I don’t really have any advice since I’m also applying for the class of 2023 and don’t have any experience with service academy applications either)
 
I'd focus on increasing test scores right now. 1300 PSAT is not bad, but many applicants will have much higher SAT/ACT scores. I'd suggest getting some prep books, doing self practice, and aiming for 1500+ SAT or 33 ACT to maximize your chances.

SAT scores just came in today. 1440 total, 740 math and 700 reading/language... will be retaking next month for the essay but I am more than happy I got these scores lol :)
 
You should look into Boys State. I don't know if it is too late to apply this year.
Here is the link that might give you more info: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/boys-state-application-question.57603/
Another thing is where you live, some districts and some states are more competitive than others.
Good luck!


Lol yeah I did apply to Boys State before I made this post and what Is funny is how I got into the program for New York State, one of the American legion posts in my county are sponsoring me after writing this post :0 but thanks for the suggestion, anything else I should work on? I just got a 1440 sat 740 math 700 r/w
 
Thats so cool!! I am the CAC rep for Staten Island... what squadron are you in?
It’s great to see someone else from New York City group CAP on this forum! Good luck on your application. (I don’t really have any advice since I’m also applying for the class of 2023 and don’t have any experience with service academy applications either)
 
Nice SAT scores!
However - I would advise you to take the SAT again. West Point superstores so a higher score in either section can only help you. The higher the scores - the more competitive you are.
I would also suggest you take the ACT.
 
I’m the cadet commander of Brooklyn Tech Cadet squadron

Brooklyn Tech is an Elite School with national reputation. All service Academies like students from the school because they are so well prepared academically in particular in STEM. If you are in CAP that’s a bonus! You should apply to all service Academies but prioritize in case you have only one nomination. If you are a very competitive candidate then you should assign your number one choice Nomination to your local congressman since all other nominations are more difficult. Your Nomination through CAP is another Nomination. You can use that for your first choice if you are applying from a very competitive district such as NY-6 Flushing, NY-3 Little Neck. NY-7 is not a competitive district so will be easier to get Nom from that district.

If you are a very competitive candidate and applying from less competitive district, I would recommend to use CAP for your second choice. You are also at an advantage if you are a female minority candidate. Good luck!
 
I’m the cadet commander of Brooklyn Tech Cadet squadron

Brooklyn Tech is an Elite School with national reputation. All service Academies like students from the school because they are so well prepared academically in particular in STEM. If you are in CAP that’s a bonus! You should apply to all service Academies but prioritize in case you have only one nomination. If you are a very competitive candidate then you should assign your number one choice Nomination to your local congressman since all other nominations are more difficult. Your Nomination through CAP is another Nomination. You can use that for your first choice if you are applying from a very competitive district such as NY-6 Flushing, NY-3 Little Neck. NY-7 is not a competitive district so will be easier to get Nom from that district.

If you are a very competitive candidate and applying from less competitive district, I would recommend to use CAP for your second choice. You are also at an advantage if you are a female minority candidate. Good luck!

Thank you for this advice!

Although sometimes I wish I went to Brooklyn Tech, I do not actually go to the school itself, the squadron is simply the most convenient for me in terms of transportation. But even if I don't have the advantage of actually going to Brooklyn Tech High School, I still think that CAP is one of the major strengths in my application. In addition to being cadet commander I have held several staff positions at regional and national activities and will have my Earhart award in two weeks. I'm also from NY-10, which I have heard is a pretty noncompetitive district. The Naval Academy is my top choice, so I will apply for the NY-10 nomination to the Naval Academy.
 
Sounds like you are a Leader! That's what the Academies are all about, creating leaders. My son is reporting to Annapolis this June. He's going with the NY-3 Nomination. It's good that you're applying from NY-10. Even if you have everything, if you don't have a Nomination no Academy. So apply to all your Nom sources beginning June. And apply to all Academies beginning Aug 1. USNA you can open your app in mid July. Having just completed the journey, we have few things we should have done differently. But that is different for each candidate. No one candidate is the same.

Be sure to bring closure to other important activities such as Varsity Athletics, Scouting, Girls State, part time work. Raise your ACT/SAT and your CFA. You should have began your request for recommendations in May to all your Junior teachers in subjects: Eng, Math, Physics or Chem, Coach, Guidance Counselor. Academy interviews in August. This way you can complete your apps by august/early Sep. Your DODMERB can be completed between July - Oct. This way, if you are a strong candidate, Academies may consider offering you an LOA which guarantees Appointment with a Nom.

Stay on top of things early and complete can help you earn that precious Appointment.
 
You should look into Boys State. I don't know if it is too late to apply this year.
Here is the link that might give you more info: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/boys-state-application-question.57603/
Another thing is where you live, some districts and some states are more competitive than others.
Good luck!


Lol yeah I did apply to Boys State before I made this post and what Is funny is how I got into the program for New York State, one of the American legion posts in my county are sponsoring me after writing this post :0 but thanks for the suggestion, anything else I should work on? I just got a 1440 sat 740 math 700 r/w
I think you're good to go! Just train hard for the fitness test (CFA) and Good luck applying next year!!!
 
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