Applying for USNA...but bad resume

S

sosfiah

New Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2016
Messages
6
Hello everyone! This will be my first thread since I've joined this forum.

I entered high school with no thoughts of attending a military academy or enlisting in the military. My school offers NJROTC as an option for PE credit, so I decided to join NJROTC, because I believed that it would be more beneficial than going to PE class. And it sure was. : - )

I joined the "varsity" drill team (our unit has two drill teams) in my sophomore year and became the head of the Supply Department (department in charge of all uniform items) in my junior year. Soon after, I was chosen to be the 1st Quarter Commanding Officer (Captain) (our unit has four commanding officers due to the massive size of the unit (400 cadets)). Our team placed 2nd at Navy Nationals in Pensacola last year, but we could not go this year due to transportation issues. 3 years ago, I would never have even thought of applying to Naval Academy. However, the time I have spent in NJROTC has proved to be incredibly rewarding. Now, I have a true passion for wanting to serve.

Unfortunately, college apps season is nearing, and I am faced with a dilemma. I have a weighted academic GPA of 4.14 and a non-weighted of 3.28. My highest SAT score is a 2080 and I have not taken the ACT. I am planning on taking the new SAT in October. I spent most of my time in NJROTC, so I did not play any sports in high school, nor have I achieved leadership positions in clubs. I've volunteered at two senior centers and played the keyboard/synth at churches.

Would it be possible for me to get accepted into USNA? Getting accepted is a dream of mine, but with my grades, scores, and lack of extracurricular activities, I feel that it is not possible. PLEASE HELP D:
 
There is certainly no chance if you do not apply. You should also apply for an NROTC scholarship. You have time to improve SAT/ACT scores and you do have some leadership in NJROTC. You've got a chance. Will you get accepted? Who knows? But don't rule yourself out. Be working on plans B, C, D, and E as well.
 
Honestly, you need a solid plan B and C. Your numbers are pretty good, except GPA. But your class rank is probably not top 10%, and your ECA'S are not going to impress admissions.

A lot of kids with better resumes would have to be passed over to get to you. Could it happen? Yes. Will it? Who knows?
 
Maplerock said:
Honestly, you need a solid plan B and C. Your numbers are pretty good, except GPA. But your class rank is probably not top 10%, and your ECA'S are not going to impress admissions.

A lot of kids with better resumes would have to be passed over to get to you. Could it happen? Yes. Will it? Who knows?
Click to expand...

D: Yes my GPA is pretty bad. I got ill during my sophomore year, and that is when my grades tanked a bit.
But, thank you for your reply! I am working on college essays at the moment. @_@
 
kinnem said:
There is certainly no chance if you do not apply. You should also apply for an NROTC scholarship. You have time to improve SAT/ACT scores and you do have some leadership in NJROTC. You've got a chance. Will you get accepted? Who knows? But don't rule yourself out. Be working on plans B, C, D, and E as well.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply : )
 
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." What's the worst that can happen? You don't get in? When I was in high school I was barely passing student but got into college and STILL managed to get a 3 year AROTC scholarship midway through my freshman year (which I promptly threw away because I was young and dumb).
Once upon a time there was a orphan living in the Caribbean that wrote an essay so moving, it made people donate money to send him to King's College to get an education, he eventually founded the first national bank, the USCG, the US Postal Service and much more. Use the essay to tell your story, talk about being sick, talk about everything you've done to get to this point.
The only guarantee is if you don't apply you will miss your shot.
 
sosfiah said:
Hello everyone! This will be my first thread since I've joined this forum.

I entered high school with no thoughts of attending a military academy or enlisting in the military. My school offers NJROTC as an option for PE credit, so I decided to join NJROTC, because I believed that it would be more beneficial than going to PE class. And it sure was. : - )

I joined the "varsity" drill team (our unit has two drill teams) in my sophomore year and became the head of the Supply Department (department in charge of all uniform items) in my junior year. Soon after, I was chosen to be the 1st Quarter Commanding Officer (Captain) (our unit has four commanding officers due to the massive size of the unit (400 cadets)). Our team placed 2nd at Navy Nationals in Pensacola last year, but we could not go this year due to transportation issues. 3 years ago, I would never have even thought of applying to Naval Academy. However, the time I have spent in NJROTC has proved to be incredibly rewarding. Now, I have a true passion for wanting to serve.

Unfortunately, college apps season is nearing, and I am faced with a dilemma. I have a weighted academic GPA of 4.14 and a non-weighted of 3.28. My highest SAT score is a 2080 and I have not taken the ACT. I am planning on taking the new SAT in October. I spent most of my time in NJROTC, so I did not play any sports in high school, nor have I achieved leadership positions in clubs. I've volunteered at two senior centers and played the keyboard/synth at churches.

Would it be possible for me to get accepted into USNA? Getting accepted is a dream of mine, but with my grades, scores, and lack of extracurricular activities, I feel that it is not possible. PLEASE HELP D:
Click to expand...

I think you have a pretty good start on thoughts for your essay there. Look, no one can really tell you what your chances are. There are many things that factor in to USNA admissions decisions, some of which are known and others of which I suspect are not. How you are nominted (principal v. unranked, together with competitiveness within district) can also affect that calculus, I believe. There is a video floating around of the admissions committee in session and one member presents a candidate and indicates that she was the goalie on her lacrosse team, the MEN'S lacrosse team, whereupon each committee member emphatically turns their indicator over to show the green side. I suspect you are not as far off from being competitive as you think. But, of course you need not be that far off to not get in. I'll tell you what I told my DS when he started the process being down abobut his junior year grades (which he had hoped would be better). I told him he had two choices: he could either not apply or he could look forward and focus on improving the things that were still in his control and give it his best shot. I told him he could worry about his junior year grades all he wanted, but none of that worrying was going to make them any better. You don't give the breakdown on your SAT. I believe USNA only looks at two sections. I think it's Math and CR if memory serves. As others have said, this is the area on which you should now focus, together with the ACT.
 
I feel your pain! My DS is going to be a Senior and currently has a 3.25 non- weighted GPA. He says that he is still moving forward with his application. Right now he is waiting on SAT scores that will be released next week and plans to prepare and take the test again in September/October. Aside from the GPA obstacle, he has a great resume. Varsity Lacrosse, attends a large competitive all boys school, club founder, Eagle Scout, Etc...like so many other candidates.
One thing that encouraged him on his CVW is that not everyone he met had a 4.0 GPA. He saw kids just like him, especially those who had come from Prep. So with that said, he too will have plans A-Z in place. I'm not too sure how competitive our district is for a nomination, he will soon find out! As I tell him, don't be discouraged. I have seen kids on the forum with amazing credentials not get in and I'm sure there are those who got in and didn't think they would. With that being said, I would love to hear from some prior or current mids that had a similar experience and still got in!
 
Thank you everyone for your replies!

Btw, I am a Korean female if that matters at all :/ And I am looking to get a nomination from my SNSI @_@
School started 3 days ago for me. Hope everyone is having a nice summer
 
Make the Admissions Board disqualify you...don't disqualify yourself.

Some one else said it above...you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Buddy of mine got appointed right out of high school. I tried civilian university and failed, got asked politely to not return for the spring semester.

Enlisted USN and eventually earned a Fleet Appointment to NAPS.

22 years later I'm a proud alum who (1) went to the college of my dreams (USNA), (2) served as an Officer of Marines, and (3) now works as a professional fireman (every little boy's 1st dream job)!

Like the comedian Yakov Smirnoff said many years ago..."What a country!"

HARD WORK PAYS OFF!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top