Recent content by boatsfordays

To prepare for USNA and success once there chem and physics will be more valuable than Bio. Just make sure you’re taking the most rigorous options per class and place stem classes above Anatomy and Bio. Don’t forget about AP English and AP Research and AP Seminar. In any college you will be...

I think the classes you take is more about what is offered at your school. Your guidance counselor will literally receive a doc from USNA next year and for every class they can mark whether your child is taking the most rigorous class. If he/she is taking on level Physics and an AP Physics is...

It’s a sea of exceptional applicants. It seems like everyone is a class president, team captain with amazing grades and test scores. On top of these things look for or create something special that sets you apart and makes you memorable. You can have a great resume but still be boring.

I do not think the interest in SWO lies with 5 and dive. There will always be those kids who come with that intention and I'm sure some have become disenchanted during Covid, but don't underestimate the power of those influencing our mids on the Yard. There have been some amazing SWO mentors...

Not all dual enrollment is created equal... all college admissions understands this. We attended at least 12 college admissions tours including every single service academy and several IVY options. We asked the same question at every single one and the overwhelming answer was that you can not...

I don't think there will be "payback", but each company's training staff will not be doing their plebe class any favors by being light on them. Their job is to train them and help them become the best midshipman they can be and my guess is there will be some making up for trainings not...

My heart absolutely breaks for your mid. I am a mid mom who suffered for years with severe cystic acne. NOTHING worked. I tried antibiotics, lasers, every topical imaginable, dietary changes, allergy testing and every voodoo someone told me to try for years!! Literally thousands of dollars...

100% Agree... the G shocks are fantastic. My mids has made it through 2 years... My mid received a really nice suitcase for graduation from a family member. It's still in his closet and has only been used when borrowed by midsib.

Pilots license will not hurt or help. It might give him something interesting to talk about during an interview or a cool essay topic. Embrace your strengths! But I've highlighted some real things to work on that will definitely effect competitiveness for an appt. There are amazing...

100% AP over Dual enrollment if there is an option. Will the AP serve you as well if you go to a state school? Maybe not... but we attended every single service academy forum in our state for 3 years, visited 4 of the academies, and did multiple ivy league visits. Admissions counselors will...

Does your school offer any of these classes in AP? I would take the AP over dual enrollment if that is an option. Your schools profile will state which classes are offered in AP when they submit your transcripts.

Lots of great food and down town Annapolis is precious. Cute shops and shopping. Tours and parent events occupied way more of our time that I had expected. Just soak it all in. Maybe a sporting event?

"The Academy is actually planning on making its own fitness test for this reason, with cadence pushups, a timed static plank, and a 2 mile run." I have also heard that cadence pushups are on the horizon for PRT and I think that will be a welcome change.

THIS!!!!! Last year it was Elvis Christmas music blaring from speakers on Sunday evening as we dropped off the plebe! Never realized Christmas songs could sound so cruel...but it actually made us chuckle a little. Jokes on them cause we saw him at Thanksgiving :)

My mid missed his sister's wedding during plebe year. We realized the only time we could guarantee he would be home was during Christmas, or Spring break and those wouldn't work with other timing issues. He reminded her over and over that he had signed up for this and that we couldn't postpone...