Chances (Slim???)

MichaelT2022 said:
As well as take a look at this picture, and you can see, all of the grades that I have gotten this Quarter. I have only gotten 3 "F" grades, in 9 weeks. But still whenever I happen to get bunch of As my grade doesn't change whatsoever. :(
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Just curious if your parents peek into your grades every now and then? I don't go into my son's system but every so often I do have a look and then if something is off (WHY did you get a C on that Calculus quiz!?!), I ask why. Getting an F usually doesn't mean you didn't understand it, it means you didn't do the work to try to understand it. Even if it's not your favorite subject, you can get a good grade. No more F's!
 
Hello Michael. I have a 2025 hopeful, but I'm writing to you because my candidate's older sister went to a school with a program that might be like yours. I am sympathetic to your situation. At her school, there was intense pressure to take every AP and IB available. Classes were double-labeled AP and IB XYZ and plenty took both exams. Intense, and I seriously mean intense, competition. Difficult curriculum. Tons of homework. Her peers regularly stayed up until 1 or 2am just to get their homework done. It seemed like a badge of honor to suffer.

Now, my oldest has a lot of brains. She took a single ACT early in junior year, supposedly to practice, did not prep, scored 36, never took another test. BUT she was not going to make it through that curriculum without careful course selection because she wasn't going to able to do the grind. She's smart, not superhuman. With the help of the IB curriculum head she adjusted her HLs into easier subjects, and planned strategically. For example even though she finished Calculus her junior year, she studied for and took the Math SL test.

At the end of the day, she got her IB diploma. Not stellar test scores, just good enough to pass. But the key was that her GPA on graduation was 3.7 ish. Now a sophomore in college, her IB diploma is pretty meaningless. But her grades got her into where she wanted to go.

So my 2 cents would be to go to your school counselor and AP/IB curriculum counselor and see if there is anything you can do to change your courses to make it easier. They probably want to help you if you ask for help. I looked at your course list and if your school is like my oldest's school, you just might not have enough hours in the day to do what's necessary to get to where you want to go. Even changing one class might help relieve some pressure. A bitter pill to swallow because I'm sure you are very capable and you don't want your peers to look down on you, but if you can improve your grades by switching to more appropriate (and by that I mean more balanced course load and btw no state requires an IB diploma to graduate high school - graduation requirements are pretty basic), you might have a better story to tell than slogging it out for potentially meager grades. If you end up with an easier course load and extra time, you can use that time to lay a foundation for health, wellness and exercise.

My 2025 hopeful did not go to the same school, and she looks a LOT more balanced than my oldest. Honestly she had a bit more time to be balanced, which I'm guessing is important to the SAs. If both my kids were applying, I think the balanced one without the IB diploma would have the edge.

You have had a lot of advice here. Take some time to really think about all of these posts. Then, what does your gut say? It'll probably be right.

Best of luck to you.
 
@eiei @nrotcmid23 @Old Navy BGO I need the cold hard truth in my grades. The column with the F's are just my Final Exams, and the Last Collumn are my final grades. For my Current Math Grade, I am currently retaking the course, and I somehow did better last year, in which when I discussed with my counselor, the better grade will be kept. Especially for this upcoming last quarter, I received an A, in which no matter what that grade will override what I receive this year. I feel like I am not too bad in any of my courses, other than IB Biology to be honest, just typically for how fast the class moves.

Thanks guys!
 

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TigerMomNot said:
Hello Michael. I have a 2025 hopeful, but I'm writing to you because my candidate's older sister went to a school with a program that might be like yours. I am sympathetic to your situation. At her school, there was intense pressure to take every AP and IB available. Classes were double-labeled AP and IB XYZ and plenty took both exams. Intense, and I seriously mean intense, competition. Difficult curriculum. Tons of homework. Her peers regularly stayed up until 1 or 2am just to get their homework done. It seemed like a badge of honor to suffer.

Now, my oldest has a lot of brains. She took a single ACT early in junior year, supposedly to practice, did not prep, scored 36, never took another test. BUT she was not going to make it through that curriculum without careful course selection because she wasn't going to able to do the grind. She's smart, not superhuman. With the help of the IB curriculum head she adjusted her HLs into easier subjects, and planned strategically. For example even though she finished Calculus her junior year, she studied for and took the Math SL test.

At the end of the day, she got her IB diploma. Not stellar test scores, just good enough to pass. But the key was that her GPA on graduation was 3.7 ish. Now a sophomore in college, her IB diploma is pretty meaningless. But her grades got her into where she wanted to go.

So my 2 cents would be to go to your school counselor and AP/IB curriculum counselor and see if there is anything you can do to change your courses to make it easier. They probably want to help you if you ask for help. I looked at your course list and if your school is like my oldest's school, you just might not have enough hours in the day to do what's necessary to get to where you want to go. Even changing one class might help relieve some pressure. A bitter pill to swallow because I'm sure you are very capable and you don't want your peers to look down on you, but if you can improve your grades by switching to more appropriate (and by that I mean more balanced course load and btw no state requires an IB diploma to graduate high school - graduation requirements are pretty basic), you might have a better story to tell than slogging it out for potentially meager grades. If you end up with an easier course load and extra time, you can use that time to lay a foundation for health, wellness and exercise.

My 2025 hopeful did not go to the same school, and she looks a LOT more balanced than my oldest. Honestly she had a bit more time to be balanced, which I'm guessing is important to the SAs. If both my kids were applying, I think the balanced one without the IB diploma would have the edge.

You have had a lot of advice here. Take some time to really think about all of these posts. Then, what does your gut say? It'll probably be right.

Best of luck to you.
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I must say I very much appreciate you saying what you said here. I wish I had the ability to change my courses, but I truly cannot. If you were to take a personal look at my high-school, "Signature School" labelled to be one of the most challenging in the United States, and #1 in the state of Indiana, I don't mean to say this by any means of excuse, I understand that my grades, aren't the best, and I wish I were able to change the courses I take. My school somewhat requires the IB Diploma Programme, such that you must participate in the classes, although you do not have to earn the actual diploma, you are still required to go through the courses. Heck.. Ever since my Freshman year, I've been exposed to all AP Classes, in which I technically didn't do horrible in, just potentially earning As, Bs, or sometimes Cs.

Especially even if I could drop the course of IB Biology HL, I first wouldn't end up meeting the requirements for 3 SLs, and 3 HLs, not to mention I'll somewhat have wasted a full year of a course.

Not to mention, my literal schedule is all HLs on one day, and no SLs yet, in which I literally almost have to balance my whole IB Programme, in my Senior Year.
 
MichaelT2022 said:
I must say I very much appreciate you saying what you said here. I wish I had the ability to change my courses, but I truly cannot. If you were to take a personal look at my high-school, "Signature School" labelled to be one of the most challenging in the United States, and #1 in the state of Indiana, I don't mean to say this by any means of excuse, I understand that my grades, aren't the best, and I wish I were able to change the courses I take. My school somewhat requires the IB Diploma Programme, such that you must participate in the classes, although you do not have to earn the actual diploma, you are still required to go through the courses. Heck.. Ever since my Freshman year, I've been exposed to all AP Classes, in which I technically didn't do horrible in, just potentially earning As, Bs, or sometimes Cs.

Especially even if I could drop the course of IB Biology HL, I first wouldn't end up meeting the requirements for 3 SLs, and 3 HLs, not to mention I'll somewhat have wasted a full year of a course.

Not to mention, my literal schedule is all HLs on one day, and no SLs yet, in which I literally almost have to balance my whole IB Programme, in my Senior Year.
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Just my two cents... having gone through 2025 admissions with DS.
Your notes above are primarily focused on academics/scholastics. How’s your fitness level (11+ pull-ups)? Leadership? Athletics? Essays? Teachers’ rapport (evaluations-recommendations)?
In the application, there’s a prompt to click requesting evaluations from your English, Math, and Physics teachers. Establish rapport with these teachers early so they can write you with excellent evals (don’t miss any deadlines).
 
MichaelT2022 said:
I need the cold hard truth in my grades.
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The vast majority of midshipmen have never seen a D or F during high school. There is the cold hard truth Michael. I am not trying to discourage you by saying this, just stating fact. Google up a recent USNA class profile and see if you are in line with those who are admitted, not just academically but in all other aspects. What the academy is looking for is laid out right there. Take control and ownership of your situation. If your grades were higher you would not have to take the route of blaming your teachers for your sub-par performance. Which, by the way, is not what a future leader does. If there is peer tutoring at your school, take advantage of it. Use Kahn Academy or just YouTube for concepts that you aren't grasping. Avail yourself of resources to improve your academic standing. Classes at USNA will go much faster than classes in high school. Kill the SAT/ACT that you plan to take this month and let us know how that goes. I think you know what you need to do to get there, now get off this forum and go do it!
 
Hey Michael, Here is the advice that I would give to my son if he were in your shoes as we are going through this process now. First, finish STRONG. Do the absolute best you can do for the rest of high school. You can't change the past but can improve going forward. Continue to stay involved with community service, clubs etc...and take on some leadership roles which it sounds like you are going for. Join that cross country team as it will give you a sport and help you with your CFA. Work on the other areas of fitness so that you can do as well as possible when it does come time to apply to the Academy(s). Start your application, get good references, apply for nominations and write a great essay about why you want to go to a SA, about the challenges you have had at your school, how you have overcome them, and then some about your personal situation. SAs love to see how people have overcome and what makes them unique. Almost forgot, you need to score REALLY well on the SAT/ACT. Start prepping for that know. The free Khan Academy SAT prep on the College Board website is Great! Get started on that Today! It only takes about 15-20 mins per day.
Work plans B - C. I would say they would be applying to affordable 4 year schools that have ROTC programs and applying for 4 year ROTC National Scholarships. My son applied for AFROTC and NROTC scholarships (we are still waiting). Also, apply for need based and merit based private scholarships. There is actually merit scholarships with need based components that the GPA standards are lower and that might be a good fit (your family may be rich...IDK, just going by the fact you worked to help the family out). Plan D would be a Community College route if all else fails. We can discuss that later if need be as SAs really like to see a re-applicant attend a 4 year school if possible.
A couple of things are going to happen. First, if you take my advice above you are going to be in great shape for the future whether you are admitted to a service academy or not. If you receive a TWE on your first try, and that is a possibility due to your current grades, don't give up! If you do well on the SAT, the CFA, are medically qualified and finish high school strong the SA may say, "Let's give this guy a chance at prep school or a foundation scholarship to brush up on his academics". If not, go to college and join ROTC. Even if you don't get the 4 year scholarship it is easier to get the 3 or 2 year if you are in ROTC and doing well in the program and in school. Hopefully you will also get some merit based/need based scholarships and/or grants. Look up those freshman (Plebe) classes at the Academies. Take those your freshman year in college and do well; get to know your professors so they can write you good recommendations and reapply to the Academy(s) if you still want to attend. If you get in, great! If not, you can apply again or just stay at your college in ROTC. Hopefully, you will have earned the 3 year ROTC scholarship, will have a great start to your degree and, only be 3 years from commissioning as an officer. If you want it, there is a way! Doing great in high school as a teenager can give you a firm foundation and help you have a successful life and career BUT not doing SUPER as a teenager does not mean you can't or won't be able to reach your goals and have a very successful life! (Just ask me, I was basically a beach bum until I turned 27). You just have to Make a Plan, Work your Plan, Evaluate your Plan and Adjust your Plan as necessary. I wish you the very best of luck! I hope you stay on the forum as I would like to follow your journey. If I can help in any way, please reach out. I don't have all the answers but I will try my best to help just as I am for my sons!
Don't Give Up The Ship! Go Navy!
 
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Peyday_Dad said:
Hey Michael, Here is the advice that I would give to my son if he were in your shoes as we are going through this process now. First, finish STRONG. Do the absolute best you can do for the rest of high school. You can't change the past but can improve going forward. Continue to stay involved with community service, clubs etc...and take on some leadership roles which it sounds like you are going for. Join that cross country team as it will give you a sport and help you with your CFA. Work on the other areas of fitness so that you can do as well as possible when it does come time to apply to the Academy(s). Start your application, get good references, apply for nominations and write a great essay about why you want to go to a SA, about the challenges you have had at your school, how you have overcome them, and then some about your personal situation. SAs love to see how people have overcome and what makes them unique. Almost forgot, you need to score REALLY well on the SAT/ACT. Start prepping for that know. The free Khan Academy SAT prep on the College Board website is Great! Get started on that Today! It only takes about 15-20 mins per day.
Work plans B - C. I would say they would be applying to affordable 4 year schools that have ROTC programs and applying for 4 year ROTC National Scholarships. My son applied for AFROTC and NROTC scholarships (we are still waiting). Also, apply for need based and merit based private scholarships. There is actually merit scholarships with need based components that the GPA standards are lower and that might be a good fit (your family may be rich...IDK, just going by the fact you worked to help the family out). Plan D would be a Community College route if all else fails. We can discuss that later if need be as SAs really like to see a re-applicant attend a 4 year school if possible.
A couple of things are going to happen. First, if you take my advice above you are going to be in great shape for the future whether you are admitted to a service academy or not. If you receive a TWE on your first try, and that is a possibility due to your current grades, don't give up! If you do well on the SAT, the CFA, are medically qualified and finish high school strong the SA may say, "Let's give this guy a chance at prep school or a foundation scholarship to brush up on his academics". If not, go to college and join ROTC. Even if you don't get the 4 year scholarship it is easier to get the 3 or 2 year if you are in ROTC and doing well in the program and in school. Hopefully you will also get some merit based/need based scholarships and/or grants. Look up those freshman (Plebe) classes at the Academies. Take those your freshman year in college and do well; get to know your professors so they can write you good recommendations and reapply to the Academy(s) if you still want to attend. If you get in, great! If not, you can apply again or just stay at your college in ROTC. Hopefully, you will have earned the 3 year ROTC scholarship, will have a great start to your degree and, only be 3 years from commissioning as an officer. If you want it, there is a way! Doing great in high school as a teenager can give you a firm foundation and help you have a successful life and career BUT not doing SUPER as a teenager does not mean you can't or won't be able to reach your goals and have a very successful life! (Just ask me, I was basically a beach bum until I turned 27). You just have to Make a Plan, Work your Plan, Evaluate your Plan and Adjust your Plan as necessary. I wish you the very best of luck! I hope you stay on the forum as I would like to follow your journey. If I can help in any way, please reach out. I don't have all the answers but I will try my best to help just as I am for my sons!
Don't Give Up The Ship! Go Navy!
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Much appreciation to you, for taking the time out of your day to write this. It means a lot.
 
I recently decided to quit my job, due to unfair treatment, and being overworked. I am already accepted into working for a new occupation, at Schnucks, if anyone is familar, a grocery store. I feel it is in general a better environment for me.
 
Just an update... is it common, for schools to have a weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale? My Class Profile states this, I just want to make sure I am not misinterpreting

"Weighted GPA based on 4-point scale/8 sem." "We do not rank"

If so, my GPA is a 3.30, increased from a 3.28
 
Any academy or ROTC panel will be familiar with weighted vs unweighted and will require a school profile to make all things as equal as can be.
Your mention of a new job is encouraging.

Bear in mind, there will be plenty of things you will be tasked with in the military that might be considered as unfair and for sure overworked. Those are challenges you will need to consider and manage.

Again, as had been mentioned previously, control what you can. And move forward.
 
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