Advice on being more competitive?

[VirginiaHall2024]

You look like a great candidate to me.

CFA numbers?

A team sport and captain helps, but I think your sports look good as is.

Girls State is a must for you.

Thanks for your advice, I'm definitely applying to Girls State then. As for CFA numbers... Well, I haven't taken the test all at once yet, and I know people generally do worse when taking the CFA all at once. I've only tested myself on certain portions, and so far: Pullups: 5 Pushups: 50 Situps: 70 Mile Run: 6:20-6:50ish.

 

[April75]

Hello! I'm a current junior interested in applying to USMA and USNA. Given my current information, what steps should I take to become more competitive for an appointment?

Academics:
GPA: 3.93/ 4.0 (unweighted) 4.44/4.33 (weighted) (my school doesn't rank)
ACT: 34 (Cumulative) 33 (English) 34 (Math) 35 (Reading) 35 (Science) PSAT: 1490
APs: Chinese-5
Current Classes: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics 1, Honors Spanish, USH, English

Sports:
- Varsity Swimming (3 years) (recieved all-Conference 10th grade, will be captain next year)
- Varsity Cross Country (3 years) (will be captain next year)
- Martial Arts, 5 years

Extracurriculars:
- My school's community service club Co-Leader (10, 11)
- Science Olympiad team member (10, 11)
- Quiz Bowl team member (10, 11) (will be co-captain next year)
- Student Council Secretary/Treasurer (10)
- Reporter for the school newspaper (9, 10, 11)
- Piano, 10 years
- School Orchestra- first chair flute (10, 11)

Achievements
- Participated in FPSPI (Future Problem Solving International Conference)
- Participated in my city's high school math competition and placed indvidually 4th (9), 3rd (10), and 5th (11).
- Science Olympiad: placed 3rd at state (both as a team and individually in my event)
- Recieved Honorable Mention in my city's High School Chemistry Contest
- National Spanish Exam- Gold Medal (9, 10)
- (probably will be a National Merit Semifinalist based off of my State's cutoff)

Miscellaneous:
- Paid summer internship at a research laboratory
- Attended my state's governor's school
- ~200 Community Service hours

Sidenote: Just out of curiosity, would being an asian female negatively affect my application? Regardless, I will still apply, but I just wanted to know if SA's have similar affirmative action policies to other universities. Also, is Missouri generally a competitive state?

Your stats are very similar to my DD's. You look extremely competitive in my opinion which really means nothing here. Don't worry about all that Asian stuff. You can't help being who you are. Apply and if you get in, do your very best to prove to "yourself" that you belong there. My DD is now finishing up her Youngster year at the USNA and yes, she is an Asian American. Man, I hate prefixes.

 

[SFRanger]

My older D’s school has 19% Asians.

I understand if Asians constituted 1-2% of a class at the SAs, then they should get preferential looks so as to get the student population to mirror more the general US population. But the SAs are already at or above the Asian make-up of the US population so why would people think they are under-represented and their get preferential looks?

This is what I thought. Because Asians are already over-represented at SAs, is it inaccurate for me to assume that when given two candidates (an asian and a non asian) with equal stats, SA's are more likely to admit the non-asian candidate? Either way, it's probably a better use of my time to focus on making my application as strong as possible, rather than uselessly pondering this question.

You are also a woman. The academies are currently about 25% women and they want to increase that number to 50%. The problem they have is to increase that number and not reduce the average scores for women compared to men. Your scores would make you just as competitive as a man. You fit multiple boxes for the academy. Also the greatest threat in the world to American right now is China. They want your language capability. I will stand by what I have already said. It would be nice to see what happens to you if you apply. Good Luck. By the way in the class of 2022 the top cadet is an Asian Female with a first semester GPA for 4.2. DS says she is a wonderful woman and carried her weight in everything she does. Even on trash detail.

 

[SFRanger]

I also just saw that you speak Spanish. Good for you. Your resume is impressive.

 

[CrewDad]

@VirginaHall continue to focus on what matters and do the best for yourself like every good candidates are doing. On the topic of gender and race, it matters far more at SAs than Civ colleges when building a class because SAs have to work around the national race gender profile to mirror US Pop to properly represent our country. The fact of the matter is Asian women are far fewer than Asian men at SAs and in the U.S. Military. And far fewer than white or black. In the military, it is even fewer. There are about 15 Asian women and 70 Asian men in each entering class at USNA and USMA. This compared to 400 at MIT and Harvard in each entering classes. SA numbers appear pretty small. For now, it appears SAs will practice limiting Asians to about 7% of the class so competitive Asians are competing against other Asians in their districts while competing to be the best overall candidate in their districts. So it seems even more challenging. At USNA and USMA, about 50% of Asians are ethnic Koreans and the rest are Japanese, Chinese, and others. Historically Koreans have always been strong in the military with strong household support for males to serve. Academies do distinguish the make up of Asians to practice diversity. It is an old practice what our colleges used to do with Jews, Irish, Italians, Germans, Anglos, and Eastern Europeans. Most colleges no longer practice this. Even at SAs it is very challenging for Asians to win appointments because so many highly qualified applicants apply with high test scores and GPAs. And many Asians live in similar districts that make it more challenging to compete against one another. Similar to what’s happening at Civ colleges. Nevertheless, Asian women are minorities today at SAs so great candidates will not go unnoticed. You have a great chance. Stay focused, humbled, and be grateful to all those supporting you including those in this forum.

 

[jc2023]

You are overqualified. Enjoy your LOA.

 

[A1Janitor]

Pretty sure you will get in. I would be shocked if you did not get a LOA.

@VirginiaHall2024, while you bask in the glow of this endorsement, suggest you also work on Plan B. Because the only sure thing at SAs is that there’s no such thing as a sure thing.

By the way, if that’s your real name, suggest you ask the moderators to change your handle. This is an anonymous site, for obvious reasons.

Yes, I'm definitely working on a Plan B, and haha, Virginia Hall was an American spy for the OSS during World War 2 (and definitely not my real name).

The best advice I can give you is don’t go hunting in Turkey.

 

[buff81]

...You are also a woman. The academies are currently about 25% women and they want to increase that number to 50%....

50%? I haven't heard that number coming from WP.

 

[OldRetSWO]

For now, it appears SAs will practice limiting Asians to about 7% of the class so competitive Asians are competing against other Asians in their districts while competing to be the best overall candidate in their districts.

I defy you to show ANY references that the Service Academies are LIMITING Asians to 7% or any other percentage.

 

[CrewDad]

Not sure what you mean you defy. What I state on this post is what I read on public information made available by SAs. So I strongly suggest you refrain from using such strong words. However, I do enjoy reading your posts.

 

[SFRanger]

...You are also a woman. The academies are currently about 25% women and they want to increase that number to 50%....

50%? I haven't heard that number coming from WP.

Went to a briefing. We were told that it will happen over multiple years but the intent is to increase female representation to reflect the population as a whole. The only reason that they are not currently at these levels is that they can not find sufficient candidates that they believe can be successful without reducing standards further.

 

[A1Janitor]

I have read that they want to increase the number of women. I didn’t read they want to increase the number of Asian women.

I suppose the number of Asians at 7% are mostly male?

 

[OldRetSWO]

Not sure what you mean you defy. What I state on this post is what I read on public information made available by SAs. So I strongly suggest you refrain from using such strong words. However, I do enjoy reading your posts.

I am involved in admissions from both the Academy side and as a Senatorial Interviewer. I attend frequent training and info sessions to keep current and as a sidenote, I am a classmate and friend of the current Dean of Admissions at USNA. In ALL of that I have NEVER EVER heard even one word about LIMITING minorities in any way. USNA does work every hard to increase minority APPLICANTS, particularly african-american and hispanics through some additional regionally focused admissions reps that search for qualified potential candidates and (hopefully) helping them through the application process just as the revenue sports search for and recruit athletes. Nowhere in the process is any attempt to LIMIT candidates of any ethnicity.

 

[SFRanger]

For now, it appears SAs will practice limiting Asians to about 7% of the class so competitive Asians are competing against other Asians in their districts while competing to be the best overall candidate in their districts.

I defy you to show ANY references that the Service Academies are LIMITING Asians to 7% or any other percentage.

HAHAHHAHAHHAH. We all know there will be no publication ever saying any minority group will be limited for any reason. Will it happen in real life? Sure. If you are an Asian man, I am pretty sure you have a problem once they get over 7%. Women are different and Asian women with high entrance scores are golden.

By the way a funny side note. I have been told that they do extraordinarily well academically. However, as they migrate to the top of the class based on their academic strength, they begin to get placed in schools like airborne school. Then they go to the school at 5 foot tall and 90 pounds and don't represent West Point very well as the other soldiers wonder "are these the best West Point has"? Seems it's pretty hard to walk into the back of a C-130 with your chute and other gear when you are that small. However, the selections for the school are based on class rankings which include your grades and the PT test with reduced standards for women. This pushes women to the top of the class rankings and into the more prestigious schools that are more physically demanding with higher quality of enlisted soldiers. Strength and fitness become an issue and it makes the Academy look bad.

As I understand it, they use to have physical try outs for the schools with the top cadets getting slots. Not enough women were then represented so now there are no tryouts and they just go to the top 100 cadets based on class rankings. The rest of the class goes to Air Assault school. On the good side, the Cadets that go Infantry and are successful are sent to Ranger School and then Airborne school automatically upon graduation. If they are successful they actually end up more qualified by the time they reach their permanent duty station units.

 

[CrewDad]

That’s nice you work so closely with admissions and with the NJ State. We look forward to your continued feedback on this forum. I always stated that I do not represent the official views of admissions but as a member on this forum who follow to learn and like to contribute where I can. I see that you are dropping names who you know at admissions to build credibility but that doesn’t help this dialogue. It displays unnecessary arrogance. We all have friends in admissions at SAs, in the high ranks of the military, in Congress, and the White House. Nevertheless, it doesn’t change my opinion because facts did not change over the last 30 years I have been following the admissions data. I have not seen, unless I have missed it, Asian representation, not including mixed race, exceed 7%+/- mark at USNA! In fact, historically, we are at the highest Asian representation today at USNA. Now that’s a fact, not a speculation. Furthermore, I have been told by admissions at USMA that Asians are considered well represented based on national numbers. Given that Asian numbers are still relatively low and have not exceeded 7%+/- in the last decade compared to other top colleges in the nation, there is good implication that SAs want to closely mirror the national racial profile, and hope to catch up in gender profile as well, which I don’t contest based on the SA’s mission to give the nation’s citizens a fair and equal chance when ever possible. I think this subject in this dialogue has gone far enough and like to suggest we drop this subject and move on to help other members. I just responded to your choice of word “defy” and you to I for the use of word “limiting.” Perhaps you and I should have better choice of words. Thank you OldRedSWO.

 

[A1Janitor]

I didn’t read him to be arrogant at all.

Asians are 5.6% of America. The 7% at USNA is higher than that.

 

[MidCakePa]

@SFRanger, the breadth and depth of your ignorance (i.e. painfully antiquated stereotypes and biases) is simply breathtaking. Compensating for something? A terrible case of mouth-breathing, perhaps?

 

[SFRanger]

@SFRanger, the breadth and depth of your ignorance (i.e. painfully antiquated stereotypes and biases) is simply breathtaking. Compensating for something? A terrible case of mouth-breathing, perhaps?

Yea, its difficult to talk about the truth. The PC Nazi's just want it to go away and have everyone shut their mouths because it does not fit the narrative. The exact story I outlined is happening right now at the academy and everyone there knows it. I have a feeling you do too.

 

[A1Janitor]

I am an Anti-PC conservative. I am not entirely sure you are saying what you mean sufficiently well enough to get your point across. The way you say it comes across wrong.

 

[VirginiaHall2024]

.

By the way a funny side note. I have been told that they do extraordinarily well academically. However, as they migrate to the top of the class based on their academic strength, they begin to get placed in schools like airborne school. Then they go to the school at 5 foot tall and 90 pounds and don't represent West Point very well as the other soldiers wonder "are these the best West Point has"? Seems it's pretty hard to walk into the back of a C-130 with your chute and other gear when you are that small. However, the selections for the school are based on class rankings which include your grades and the PT test with reduced standards for women. This pushes women to the top of the class rankings and into the more prestigious schools that are more physically demanding with higher quality of enlisted soldiers. Strength and fitness become an issue and it makes the Academy look bad.

Lol, if I get in, I guess I better work hard to make sure I'm not "that cadet" then.