Sample Resumes of Accepted Applicants

Old Navy BGO said:
brovol said:
You need to be careful. When you say "the academy", people might think you are referring to "THE Academy", which of course would be West Point. If you are referring to USNA, you should say, "that other academy".
!
Click to expand...

They win one football game in 14 year, and start getting all cocky.... BEAT ARMY !
Click to expand...
Oh trust me, I would have posted the same thing even if Army didnt win last December, on that glorious and beautiful afternoon in Baltimore (Boy what a wonderful day it was; the sun seemed so warm despite the actual air temperature, and there was such a feeling of goodness that beamed throughout the stadium, which was so particularly true as those Cadets, clad in capes, like superheros, took the field with their brothers who battled it out for four of the most satisfying quarters of football in history......... But I digress....... Where was I? Oh yes...), but as it was, Army did win that football game, so I certainly understand the feeling of emptiness you poor Navy folks must feel. I was just offering some insight to the original poster.

And one other thing...... GO ARMY! BEAT Navy!
 
brovol said:
Oh trust me, I would have posted the same thing even if Army didnt win last December, on that glorious and beautiful afternoon in Baltimore (Boy what a wonderful day it was; the sun seemed so warm despite the actual air temperature, and there was such a feeling of goodness that beamed throughout the stadium, which was so particularly true as those Cadets, clad in capes, like superheros, took the field with their brothers who battled it out for four of the most satisfying quarters of football in history......... But I digress....... Where was I? Oh yes...), but as it was, Army did win that football game, so I certainly understand the feeling of emptiness you poor Navy folks must feel. I was just offering some insight to the original poster.

And one other thing...... GO ARMY! BEAT Navy!
Click to expand...

brovol, if nothing else that was truly eloquent and poetic. Misguided but a real pleasure to read. BEAT ARMY!!!!!!
 
Current plebe at the academy. I'm gonna let you know that the level of competitiveness that your application needs to be at completely depends on your district. If you have a district where the academy is a big deal, then you really need to get a high SAT/ACT score, probably a 32 or higher, and have great physical scores and take a lot of leadership roles. It's much easier to receive an appointment in a lax district if only a few know about the academy. Now, that's definitely not an excuse to slack off at all... turning up the dial on all aspects of your life needs to be done to prepare for the experiences you're going to receive. However, I'm just trying to provide a general insight as to how it works.
 
usnahopeful22 said:
Is there a way to check the competitiveness of one's district? Or how many people applied
Click to expand...

There is no way to check that I know of. It changes every year. The competitiveness of your district should not matter. Put forth the best application you possibly can either way. But, if you must know you might be able to ask your congressman (though I personally wouldn't). I know that my district is competitive because I know of at least 4 people (including me) applying to service academies from just one high school: the one I graduated from. Having a Navy and Air Force base in the same city definitely affects competitiveness...
 
I just got the book about the academy by sue Ross. Have others read it? Does it give useful tips and info?
Thanks again for the help!
 
brovol said:
Oh trust me, I would have posted the same thing even if Army didnt win last December, on that glorious and beautiful afternoon in Baltimore (Boy what a wonderful day it was; the sun seemed so warm despite the actual air temperature, and there was such a feeling of goodness that beamed throughout the stadium, which was so particularly true as those Cadets, clad in capes, like superheros, took the field with their brothers who battled it out for four of the most satisfying quarters of football in history......... But I digress....... Where was I? Oh yes...), but as it was, Army did win that football game, so I certainly understand the feeling of emptiness you poor Navy folks must feel. I was just offering some insight to the original poster.

And one other thing...... GO ARMY! BEAT Navy!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the 'insight' [emoji6]
But for the first time I'd like to say....
GO NAVY BEAT ARMY! [emoji16]
 
qwertyuiopsmile said:
I just got the book about the academy by sue Ross. Have others read it? Does it give useful tips and info?
Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
The book is fantastic. There is a different book for each academy, but they are all basically the same. My son applied to USMA, USNA, and USAFA, and used the book as a reference for every interview he had, and he practiced answers for the questions that were given in the book. He had several questions asked which Seemed to be right out of the book, and he was very prepared. The book does a great job of explaining the entire application process, and was extremely accurate. Good for parents to read too. It would be, and has been, the first thing I recommend any candidate to buy.
 
usnahopeful22 said:
Is there a way to check the competitiveness of one's district? Or how many people applied
Click to expand...
Every MOC will have a staff person who is assigned to coordinate the nomination process. You can call the MOC's office and speak to that person, asking the question directly. You may get a very candid answer.

I thought it interesting that when my son applied to multiple academies the admissions officers at the different academies seemed quite different in terms of how open they were with information. The RC at West Point literally opened up with respect to how many kids there were who were competitive in our district, and told my son the ACT scores of the other competitive kids, along with other information about their applications. He then told my son what numbers he needed to have to be assured an appointment, and my son went out and exceeded those thresholds. The USNA officer was not nearly as candid and open. Honestly, my son nver got a great feeling about the admissions people there, and I think it turned him off a bit. USAFA was very approachable, and responsive, but largely worked through staff people, who gave my son a lot of positive feedback, but no strong idea where he stood until he got his appointment through his portal.

I would encourage candidates to reach out to the admissions people, and ask them exactly where they stand. They can look at each district and have a good idea after a glance. Some may be real tight lipped, while others may be amazingly candid. Either way, you are likely to get some insight.

My kid was pretty set on USMA from the beginning, but ultimately had to choose between three appointments, and did reflect upon his experiences with those he had contact with at each academy. Those admissions people can really influence a candidates choice.
 
Have not read the Ross book but I can promise you that NO ONE knows what questions your MOC committees or your BGO will ask. There are more than 500 MOCs, most of whom use nom committees made up of up to a dozen random citizens. That's more than 5000 individuals. If anyone thinks he/she can predict the questions that any one person on any one committee will ask . . . he/she needs to buy a lotto ticket.

As mentioned in the sticky above, BGOs have certain topics they must cover -- those aren't a secret However, HOW BGOs cover those topics is up to each of the 3500+ BGOs. So again, lots of luck making predictions.

Any reasonably intelligent person can figure out questions that are asked with some frequency. For example: Why do you want to attend USNA? There are lots of terrific candidates; why should USNA select you? Tell me someone other than a parent whom you admire and why.

And on and on. And I could give you 20 questions that you've probably never thought of. You can practice for 100 questions and find your MOC committee member or BGO ask you none of those and a dozen you've not considered.

A book can be helpful to provide greater explanation of the application process. However, the USNA website is pretty self-explanatory and most folks do fine with just that info. IOW, get a book b/c it will make you feel better in understanding the process not b/c you think it will help you receive an appointment.
 
^^ I agree. Information in such books can also be time sensitive as what may have been true 5 yrs ago is no longer accurate. Some who talk up such books could be the author who has something financially to gain. Unlikely you will find any application 'secrets' you can't find for free by reading the USNA website and doing your own on-line research. Some MOC committees will also ask 'off the wall' questions to see if a candidate has been overly coached and how well they respond to something they couldn't have practiced how to answer. One example, was.... "Name a kitchen utensil that best describes your personality?".
 
Lol. The book is great, and explains the process for each type of interview, then giving examples of several questions which may come up during those interviews. My son found it amazing how spot on they were as several of those questions were asked almost verbatim. Can you come up with additional questions on your own? Of course you can; and should. Are there questions you won't be able to anticipate? Sure there are. But what's the point? Practicing interviews is something every candidate should do, not only because it helps the candidate better understand those issues which frequently come up, but also because it tends to build confidence and reduces anxiety.

I don't care if someone here buys the book or not. I was simply answering the question about it's value. It is timely however, and quite excellent.

Not sure what the angst is about recommending the book. It has a ton of insight, valuable to any candidate for any Academy.
 
brovol said:
Lol. The book is great, and explains the process for each type of interview, then giving examples of several questions which may come up during those interviews. My son found it amazing how spot on they were as several of those questions were asked almost verbatim. Can you come up with additional questions on your own? Of course you can; and should. Are there questions you won't be able to anticipate? Sure there are. But what's the point? Practicing interviews is something every candidate should do, not only because it helps the candidate better understand those issues which frequently come up, but also because it tends to build confidence and reduces anxiety.

I don't care if someone here buys the book or not. I was simply answering the question about it's value. It is timely however, and quite excellent.

Not sure what the angst is about recommending the book. It has a ton of insight, valuable to any candidate for any Academy.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've started reading it and I'm already finding it really helpful.

As a current high school sophomore, would it be helpful for me to start talking with my BGO, MOC, both, or neither?
 
qwertyuiopsmile said:
brovol said:
Lol. The book is great, and explains the process for each type of interview, then giving examples of several questions which may come up during those interviews. My son found it amazing how spot on they were as several of those questions were asked almost verbatim. Can you come up with additional questions on your own? Of course you can; and should. Are there questions you won't be able to anticipate? Sure there are. But what's the point? Practicing interviews is something every candidate should do, not only because it helps the candidate better understand those issues which frequently come up, but also because it tends to build confidence and reduces anxiety.

I don't care if someone here buys the book or not. I was simply answering the question about it's value. It is timely however, and quite excellent.

Not sure what the angst is about recommending the book. It has a ton of insight, valuable to any candidate for any Academy.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've started reading it and I'm already finding it really helpful.

As a current high school sophomore, would it be helpful for me to start talking with my BGO, MOC, both, or neither?
Click to expand...
No. Too early for that. Worry about building that résumé. Study and take ACT/SAT frequently, stay in good physical shape, maintain a job and impress your employer with how hard you work and how reliable you are. Think about the junior and Sr years ahead of you and set an agenda/goal list. Varsity team sports are important, so if you can make those teams, or better yet be a team captain, seek to achieve those things. At the end of his junior year my son got his ACT scores, and decided he was going to go to one of the Academies. He wanted West Point, but would have been delighted with either USNA or USAFA. He had a vision quest, and I had never seen him motivate to accomplish something like he did to get an appointment. He studied and took the ACT until he got his appointment to WP, and moved his scores more than he thought he could (nothing below 30, with 34's in math and science). He took every AP class his school offered (it only had 5 AP classes), he worked out daily, and practiced the CFA, ran for (and won) NHS President, and became captain of both varsity soccer and baseball teams. Ultimately he got an offer of appointment to all three schools.

Those who are motivated can accomplish a lot.
 
.....also, build good relationships with your teachers. They will be giving evaluations of you during the application process.
 
Not sure what the angst is about recommending the book
Click to expand...

Here's the "concern." When folks whose kids were admitted to a SA start talking up books or consultants or other things that cost money, it can "scare" others into thinking that they too need to buy this book or hire this consultant in order to get in, improve their chances, or at least convince themselves they did everything they could to achieve this result.

Unfortunately, books and consultants cost money. For some, the amount (especially for a book) is no big deal -- nothing more than buying a pair of shoes and definitely worth the investment in their kid's future. For others, the cost may represent a huge sacrifice but they still feel they need to make the investment. What parent (or kid) wants to believe they didn't do everything possible and here's yet another thing that just might help -- and maybe they need it even more b/c they couldn't afford to give their kid every advantage in life.

The fact is that, especially in this Internet age, the free information available to all candidates is more than sufficient to result in a successful application. If it makes someone feel better to buy a book and/or hire consultants, then go for it; it's their money. But it's not necessary and I've seen no evidence to suggest that those who spend the money fare any better in the application process (at least for USNA) than those who don't.

And the rec re good relationships with teachers is spot on!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top