Advice/assement on appointment

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Neco

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Messages
2
Im a high school senior and will soon be getting my congressional nomination most likely from both my senators and my congressman in order to be an official candidate for the United States Air Force Academy. Will having 3 nominations raise my chances? Here is what I currently have working for me...
Eagle Scout
4.2 GPA
4 years of Varsity Cross Country
1 years of Varsity Track (will be 2)
Great Physical condition
AP English Classes
4 years of Latin
Started my own business at 14 (If that even counts for anything)
Top 10% in class
Class Rank- 26 of 350
Junior Class President
National Honor Society
LOTS of community service

Here's what's NOT working for me...
ACT-25 (Reading-23 Math-25 English-24 Science-26) I am taking a ACT class and will take it again in Dec. and hope to raise them to a 26 or 27.

I am hoping that someone can tell me where I stand. Do I have a chance? Is there just no way because of my test scores? Im looking pretty good? Anything really. I would also like to know what i can do to improve my chances (besides raising test scores, I already know that). I would love to hear what anyone who has experience any of the service academies has to say. Thanks for the help.
 
Neco said:
Will having 3 nominations raise my chances?
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Sure, having a nomination(s) will help your chances. Without a nomination there is no chance (very little chance anyway) of getting an appointment.

Other than that, the advice in your last thread is as valid now as it was two weeks ago. I don't really know what else you're looking for.
 
Neco: I was just wondering what makes you that sure you'll get the nomination(s) from your MOC and both senators? Not to offend, but unless you are from someplace I don't know about or have something else going for you, it sounds presumptive to me to assume such a thing.

How did you do on the physical test? Are you medically qualified? What does your ALO say about your scores?

I'm no expert but especially the Reading score on the ACT seems very low for competition - and really, you would want to have a higher Math score too. Can you still sit for the SAT? You should, right away.

Just out of curiosity: I see you list AP English and four years of Latin. Does your school offer only that one AP course? Are four years of language unusual in your locale? (Our local high school offers no AP or IB courses, and while it does offer four years of language, your choices are Spanish or... Spanish.)
 
The first time my son took the ACT he had a 25 on Science. The Academy deemed this too low to be considered for admission. Since Science is not looked at as closely as Reading and Math are, I would definitely say the scores are not high enough to be competitive. My son has since gotten his Science score up to a 29, which is accepted by the Academy. Even a 26 or 27 would be pushing it to be competitive. Im not trying to be rude or anything, I am just speaking on what I know from my son's experience and talking to his ALO. Also, how do you already know that you will have all three nominations? You should try taking the SAT; you can still register for the one that is at the beginning of December. Good luck!
 
fencersmother said:
Neco: I was just wondering what makes you that sure you'll get the nomination(s) from your MOC and both senators? Not to offend, but unless you are from someplace I don't know about or have something else going for you, it sounds presumptive to me to assume such a thing.

How did you do on the physical test? Are you medically qualified? What does your ALO say about your scores?

)
Click to expand...

I know a young man who is still awaiting nom and knows one Senator didn't.
34 Math, 35 Science, 36 Reading, 35 English
#1 in class
3.95 unweighted
National Merit commended student
Eagle at 15 plus some palms
Asst Jr Scout Master of a different troop
President of art club
3 yrs cross country and varsity track
captain scholastic bowl
AP Chem (4), Calc (5), English (current)
community college classes
NHS
Key Club
leadership training courses
medically qualified
4 years in school plays
Work experience
Lots of community service
LOA

He's still waiting patiently for appointment and living life as a high school senior. If this doesn't happen, he does ROTC (and we save a lot on travel expense .)

Enjoy this year. Don't worry. Be happy.
 
Neco: just a couple of observations: I believe that the consensus is that multiple nominations to one service academy do not increase your chances for admission. You do need to either take the SAT to see if you can obtain a satisfactory score, or continue to take the ACT to increase both your individual and overall scores. In particular, the reading score is below the minimum accepted by the academy; but also remember that the Academy will cherry pick your individual scores to increase your overall score. Otherwise it would look like your file would be competative, but in the end none of us knows what those folks in the room who ultimately grant offers of admission seize upon on any particular individual, and they are not talking! Good luck and thank you for your thoughts of service.
 
1993A10: if your child has the LOA, he's waiting more for the nom right now!

Good luck!

Did our O.P. disappear?
 
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