How can I improve my EC's to get into the academy

Bennett611

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I am currently a Sophmore in Oregon, I have been working on my grades quite a lot and went from a 2.9 GPA last year, to a 4.0 (which I will maintain) first semester if this year. I am not concerned about my grades because I am sure that I will keep my 4.0 over the next few years, and also I'm sure that my improvement will be helpful.

I am on the track and cross country team and hope to get to varsity by my junior year, not this year because I am currently on crutches unable to participate. I have also completed many hours of community service through key club. I am in my school's young life club as well. I do not have a job, although I have been mowing my neighborhood grass for 2 years. I am looking into applying for a job or an internship.

In what ways could I improve my extracurricular activities to make myself more appealing for USNA?
 
I am currently a Sophmore in Oregon, I have been working on my grades quite a lot and went from a 2.9 GPA last year, to a 4.0 (which I will maintain) first semester if this year. I am not concerned about my grades because I am sure that I will keep my 4.0 over the next few years, and also I'm sure that my improvement will be helpful.

I am on the track and cross country team and hope to get to varsity by my junior year, not this year because I am currently on crutches unable to participate. I have also completed many hours of community service through key club. I am in my school's young life club as well. I do not have a job, although I have been mowing my neighborhood grass for 2 years. I am looking into applying for a job or an internship.

In what ways could I improve my extracurricular activities to make myself more appealing for USNA?


I know you are inquiring about USNA, but check out this USMA site that gives the entering class profiles.


The big extracurricular activity recognized (along with many others) is Boys/Girl State, and Class officers, and Eagle Scout/Gold Award.

So basically, any officer/sports position that shows leadership qualities.

I just point the 3 examples because my DS's liaison officer really push for those positions (her personal opinion)

Good luck and keep the grades up!!!
 
If you can be a captain or co-captain of one of your sports teams, that is huge as well. The class profile that GA posted gives you a good idea as well. If you can check a few of those boxes, you'll be in a good spot.
 
academic competition teams are good as well (and debate teams which hone your public speaking skill) especially if you are athletic. it makes you more well rounded i believe.
 
You have two years . . . that's forever in extra-curricular time. Select a couple of activities/areas/things about which you're passionate. Here is only a partial list: journalism, cars, children with various special needs, the elderly, animals, politics, STEM, SCUBA, computers . . . and on and on. Then check what clubs your school has that relate to the areas you love. If you don't find any, check your local community. Let your fingers do the walking through the Internet to find organizations, camps, etc. that appeal to you. Your parents can help (and they should vet whatever you find).

Then, see how you can be involved. It's not all about being the President, though that's fine. It's about finding ways to improve the organization. Offer to run something or a part of something (for example, a fitness day for local youth or an event at a senior center). Do fundraising. Staff a booth at a fair. Update their website.

In the end, USNA cares less about what activities you choose than how you stick with them, improve them, make the most of them, etc. That's why, if you pick something you love/care about, you're going to be happier and more successful in it. And when you're later talking to interviewers about your work, that passion will shine through.

The world awaits you.
 
All great suggestions above. Also respectfully suggest looking into ECAs that offer Leadership, personal development, physical fitness, and community service opportunities such as Sea Cadets and Civil Air Patrol. Programs such as these also provide the added benefit of allowing students to test drive military life. Student Cadets also earn scholarship opportunities and an opportunity to shine at Nomination committee interviews.
 
Not sure if its been said yet..but you are looking at this wrong. It's not about "improving EC's to get into a Service Academy." It's about getting involved in ECA's that you are passionate about, If you enter with that perspective, making a difference and working into leadership roles is a natural evolution, and that is what makes you attractive to the Service Academy. I attended a regional meeting for a non-profit that I am active with (kinda like ECA's for grown ups !) the other day, and heard the term "meeter & eater" to describe those that get on Boards to build a resume and really don't contribute --there are plenty of those people on every Board or high school ECA. Look at as quality v. quantity; do those things you are passionate about ...make a difference , and contribute...you will do fine.
 
I agree that activities such as Sea Cadets and CAP are great for the reasons stated. That said, in my experience, they do not provide extra help in gaining admission vs. other activities -- IOW, USNA values them no more highly than any other ECA. So, if they are something you're interested, participate. If you aren't interested, you'll do just as well with something that interests you.
 
Start with Team Bennett611.

Find time to tell your current teachers about your aspirations. They see the pronounced improvement, maturity, focus from the 2.9 year to the 4.0 year. Teachers talk in the teachers lounge. Probably among the grade level but also by subject area (ie, E, M, Sci). Go on your fact finding mission and figure out who are your 11th grade teachers. Do they have volunteering you can start with, such as summer boot camp for students, etc? Get to know them early? Get on your GC's radar.

CRUTCHES! Take the lead and ask your parents for help. How this may impact DoDMERB and start a file now, making notes what you will need 2 years from now. And of course anything else, like childhood ear tubes, etc. Read all the DoDMERB threads, pay attention to diagnosed or not. You can google the 85 question DoDMERB form, but I caution you i'm just a parent saying what I did. Go to the main source, and big hint - make sure to "Follow" Mr. Mullen on SAF!!!

Plan and execute good/great ACT/SAT scores.

Now ECs:
Leadership and achievement in cross country/track for sure. Get on varsity, hopefully captain.

In all major leadership ECs, can you cite project, time frame, budget, summary, who benefit, unit of measure, follow up plans?
For example, "I give pep talks to motivate team members at meets". Meh.
"I organized a car wash for cross country and got football and swim team to join. I cleared it with the Principal and the district to have it in the student parking lot, and 35 people from 3 teams showed up and we washed 100 cars and made $1500 to benefit the American Red Cross and booster club 50/50. Our proceeds are to help defray costs of swim suits, new field equipment, and sweatshirts for the track team. I made a binder for next year and the tennis team and student council want to participate as well. We are thinking to sell donuts in the morning and hot dogs at lunch time for waiting customers." See the difference! (PS - remember to ask your PTSA to donate $ for the donuts and hot dogs!)

You mentioned mowing your neighbor's yard. That is actually a huge deal, IMO. That's classic service to your community, and who better than a neighbor that needs help? Why not start a business, and offer to mow yards and house watch during the summer, such as $10/day to collect mail and move potted plants on the porch, pet sit when neighbors go on summer vacation? You can take a yard sign and advertise in your front yard "Bennett611 your neighbor offering house sitting and lawn mowing! Call xxx-xx-xxx!" or "This yard mowed by Bennett611! Call xxx-xx-xxxx!"and make flyers and put in mailboxes in a reasonable radius from your home, post the flyer on the neighborhood facebook page.

The other way to tell your engagement is time. On your resume, can someone recreate your day? How much time are you spending where? Where are you on any given school day, doing what?

These are just some ideas, hopefully will spark new ideas for you in activities you enjoy. Do NOT worry about "what will make me look good", but rather, what truly motivates and has meaning to you. Your resume will have both "check box" things and major, anchoring activities. It's not the activity, but your ability to answer how have you, through activities and accomplishments (whatever they may be), demonstrated the characteristics that will make you successful at this SA and branch. Did you demonstrated you have the capacity to take the opportunities of this SA/branch and be successful? Why should they bring you to the Brigade?

A parent's perspective.
 
thank you all for the feedback. Boy scouts were a topic that kept coming up, so it seems important. I joined boy scouts when I was 11 years old and made it to the rank of first-class. I left the program because I had no friends doing it with me and I purely got bored with it. Becoming an eagle scout is something I could do, it's just being a boy scout you typically get judged as a "weird kid". If it would help me get into the academy I may continue working towards my eagle
 
Becoming an eagle scout is something I could do, it's just being a boy scout you typically get judged as a "weird kid". If it would help me get into the academy I may continue working towards my eagle

I have to laugh at this! I do a ton of Eagle Board of Reviews each year and I always ask the Eagle candidate if their friends in high school know they are in Scouting. Almost all say their high school friends know little or nothing about their Scouting lives. There can be a stigma in certain circles, which is a bit of a shame. But, frankly, if that's what holds you back (what your friends are going to label you), you might want to rethink some of your goals. Now if it's because your troop is not so good, I get that. I also get that Scouting isn't for everyone and it gets hard when cars, girls, varsity sports, AP homework get thrown in the mix. Getting Eagle because it looks good on an application is not a great idea. I've known a few kids who did that. You get out what you put in.
 
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