Ask a Plebe

Socnorb said:
My GPA was not stellar, I believe I had a 3.75ish cGPA. In the subjects that USNA looks at for the ACT I scored a 32 and a 28 in English and math respectively. I was team captain of my swim team junior and senior year. I started my own Triathlon club at my school which promptly took a nose dive into the ground. I'm not an eagle scout nor did I go to a highly competitive school. Two things that I believe made me stand out was my essay to the academy, and I had over 500 hours of volunteering at my local foodbank. I am not sure why I got in, but everyone gets in for a reason. Perhaps they find that hidden golden egg in each persons application that tells them that we are right for the academy. I haven't got a clue what will get someone in here, and it sounds like no else really does either. I spent a lot of time as a candidate wondering what everyone else's stats were, when I really should've been looking at my own. If your son can do something to improve himself every day, nothing will stop him from getting in.
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What a fantastic response! You are clearly where you are meant to be. Your words of encouragement make you an asset to this forum. 500 hours serving those in need says much for your character. If you spend 500 hours doing something it is truly a calling. My son also has the desire to serve others. His 500 hours we're spent constructing gravity driven water systems in the Dominican Republic bringing clean water to those who have never had running water in their life. Something that has been his calling through high school. Now if he can only get those test scores up! Thank you for taking the time to do this. I wish you the best on your journey at the Academy. Any other tips are greatly appreciated! Good luck and God Bless!
 
My Ds is a plebe as well. During a particularly difficult moment of plebe summer a guy in my plebe's company was kinda melting down a little. My son at first thought "man how did that guy get in here?" Then he thought" man how did I get in here?" and he went over to help the guy. (by the way he and that guy are now extremely close friends and that guy is doing fine).
 
Curious about these "500 hours" statements. Is that figure cumulative over four years of high school?
 
truenorth said:
Curious about these "500 hours" statements. Is that figure cumulative over four years of high school?
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Yes they were cumulative. Over 400 hours were with an organization called Blue Missions. My son got involved with them when they visited his high school. He came home so excited about the things they were doing and had to get involved! Look them up, they are doing amazing things!
 
truenorth said:
Curious about these "500 hours" statements. Is that figure cumulative over four years of high school?
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It was over the course of high school. The academy looks at 9-12 grade, so anything thats resume worthy during those 4 years should be reported.
 
I tried to keep everything as simple as possible, so I asked my English and Math teachers, and for an additional one I asked my job supervisor. Just try and make sure you pick three recommenders can say something unique about what makes you special
 
Wannabe32 said:
Congrats on your admission. I am currently applying for the third time. Did you see any third time applicants in USNA 2020?
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One of my son's roommates during Plebe Summer was a third- or fourth-time applicant.
 
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