Aspiring aviator in 8th grade - Introduction

O

OZZY

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Joined
Jun 9, 2016
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48
I've been lurking on this forum for over a year now and made my account a few months ago, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself now and become familiar with others on here.

I am a female in 8th grade and I've been wanting to attend the USNA since late 2015/early 2016. I know it's too early for me to apply, but I've been told it's good to start preparing early. I have visited the USNA and WP before and submitted my application for USNA Summer STEM last month. My grades are good (98.5 GPA last quarter) and I'm in a couple of clubs at my school. I'm not in the best physical shape—the tennis team is the only sports team I'm on—but I'm working on improving that. Sometime this year I'll apply for the Sea Cadets. I am very passionate about science and aviation and space are my two biggest interests. I've wanted to become a pilot since elementary school. My other interests include math, history, photography, art, and music. I live in New York.

I look forward to meeting other members on this forum!:) Sorry for this very mediocre piece of writing.

Also, any advice would be greatly appreciated. What are some other things I could do as someone my age?
 
Get in shape and stay out of trouble.
One ride in the back of a police car could end it all.
 
OZZY said:
I've been lurking on this forum for over a year now and made my account a few months ago, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself now and become familiar with others on here.

I am a female in 8th grade and I've been wanting to attend the USNA since late 2015/early 2016. I know it's too early for me to apply, but I've been told it's good to start preparing early. I have visited the USNA and WP before and submitted my application for USNA Summer STEM last month. My grades are good (98.5 GPA last quarter) and I'm in a couple of clubs at my school. I'm not in the best physical shape—the tennis team is the only sports team I'm on—but I'm working on improving that. Sometime this year I'll apply for the Sea Cadets. I am very passionate about science and aviation and space are my two biggest interests. I've wanted to become a pilot since elementary school. My other interests include math, history, photography, art, and music. I live in New York.

I look forward to meeting other members on this forum!:) Sorry for this very mediocre piece of writing.

Also, any advice would be greatly appreciated. What are some other things I could do as someone my age?
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Clubs and leadership. I recommend joining clubs that means something for you and your interests but also have an impact. I would recommend speech and debate, robotics (Look into FIRST Robotics Competition in your area) and community service. If you tennis program is anywhere near as competitive as my school's, they will get you in shape very quickly. I would also recommend doing swimming when you are not training for tennis. You will definitely feel some soreness from tennis and the low impact of swimming should help with that.
 
dan_lof said:
Clubs and leadership. I recommend joining clubs that means something for you and your interests but also have an impact. I would recommend speech and debate, robotics (Look into FIRST Robotics Competition in your area) and community service. If you tennis program is anywhere near as competitive as my school's, they will get you in shape very quickly. I would also recommend doing swimming when you are not training for tennis. You will definitely feel some soreness from tennis and the low impact of swimming should help with that.
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Thanks! The tennis season at my school is over, but I'm considering joining other tennis programs outside of my school. I'm in Leaders club, which requires five hours of community service every month, and STEM club too. I'll look into swimming as well.
 
Welcome! I'd highly recommend joining some tennis programs outside of school. There are lots of great junior tournaments you can play and tennis is a great full body workout and will definitely help develop your fitness.

And I second joining some programs that you are really interested in so that you are driven to obtain leadership positions later.

Good luck!
 
USAFA10s said:
Welcome! I'd highly recommend joining some tennis programs outside of school. There are lots of great junior tournaments you can play and tennis is a great full body workout and will definitely help develop your fitness.

And I second joining some programs that you are really interested in so that you are driven to obtain leadership positions later.

Good luck!
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Thanks! I know how important leadership skills are in becoming an officer.
 
Welcome aboard! Take a look at this page if you haven't already:

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/General-Advice-for-Grades-9-12.php

Take the most challenging math class offered and do well in it every year. I'd also suggest getting involved in serving your community through school and even opportunities outside of your school (think district or state level). Maybe joining an organization that has a mission you like and work your way up to lead it in a few years.

Best of luck!
 
ktnatalk said:
Welcome aboard! Take a look at this page if you haven't already:

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/General-Advice-for-Grades-9-12.php

Take the most challenging math class offered and do well in it every year. I'd also suggest getting involved in serving your community through school and even opportunities outside of your school (think district or state level). Maybe joining an organization that has a mission you like and work your way up to lead it in a few years.

Best of luck!
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Thank you! Currently, I am not taking the best math class in my school (accelerated) and I regret that, but I am doing well in my regents class (100 GPA last semester). If I join Sea Cadets this year, I'll have about four years in that program and I think I could possibly hold a lead position if I stay that long. This year I'm just preparing myself for HS but I'm looking at things I could do to improve my transcript.
 
Is summer school offered in your school district? They used to be mostly attended by students who did not do well to make up, but nowadays many students are using them to get ahead in order to take the next class in the sequence during the next school year. Maybe it is something available to you and you haven't considered yet?
 
ktnatalk said:
Is summer school offered in your school district? They used to be mostly attended by students who did not do well to make up, but nowadays many students are using them to get ahead in order to take the next class in the sequence during the next school year. Maybe it is something available to you and you haven't considered yet?
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I've actually heard of someone doing that for more advanced classes (not in my school district). I haven't heard of anything like that in my district, I would probably have to talk to my guidance counselor about it. I'd be willing to do something like that, depending on the duration and if it made a big enough difference. I'm trying my best and hoping my teachers will recommend me for honors courses next year when I'm a freshman. Academics aren't really my main concern, though. I'm doing pretty good. The problem is athletics/fitness. I want to join some programs outside of school to improve that. How could I ever serve in the military if I can't do a single pull up?

Also, do you know of any recommended programs or anything similar that I could join? I've looked at the recent USNA class profiles to see what they look for, but I was wondering what else I could do.
 
Think of opportunities in these areas:
ktnatalk said:
getting involved in serving your community through school and even opportunities outside of your school
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Look at the Summer Seminar application. It tells you what they are looking for (save the info because once they close the application the link will not work):

https://candidateinformation.usna.edu/ITSD/nass/acawu012$.startup

In terms of athletics/fitness, if you don't like contact sports, you may want to try xc or swimming. You have time on your side, so try to pace yourself while keeping this from @Capt MJ in your plan:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...-of-sports-for-application.53376/#post-524488

Best of luck!!!
 
Oh, and please don't tell me your age because I made a statement on the forum that I don't communicate with 13-year old online! :)
 
ktnatalk said:
Think of opportunities in these areas:


Look at the Summer Seminar application. It tells you what they are looking for (save the info because once they close the application the link will not work):

https://candidateinformation.usna.edu/ITSD/nass/acawu012$.startup

In terms of athletics/fitness, if you don't like contact sports, you may want to try xc or swimming. You have time on your side, so try to pace yourself while keeping this from @Capt MJ in your plan:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...-of-sports-for-application.53376/#post-524488

Best of luck!!!
Click to expand...
Actually, the day the NASS application came out, I looked at it because I knew it was also served as a preliminary application and it was sort of what they look for.
Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me! ;)
 
eagle scout/girl scout gold awards are valuable during the admissions decisions. I know sea scouts has an equivalent. I do not know if sea cadets do. You may want to check on that. plan on going to girls state.
 
Some will tell you not to worry about learning aviation skills until you get in the military- they will teach you to fly the way you need to fly.
I am going to disagree with that advice. Some of the great and famous pilots in the military- Sullenberger and Hoover come to mind- got their start flying at young ages and admitted that their successes were due to the combined experiences and instructors they had over the years. As a former military aviator, every type I have flown- from the little J-3, the Schweizer 1-26, the Schweizer 296... up through the Blackhawk and transport jets... has taught me something. I've learned something from every instructor, from the guy who patted me on the butt before my first solo, to the guy who gave me my last airline check.
So I would say if you want to fly, fly. Try to find out if there is a glider club nearby where you can learn how to soar, one of the purest and most peaceful means of flying. Maybe there's an old coot nearby who can teach you to fly a J-3, Champ or some other tailwheel airplane. No better time to learn how to put an airplane down straight than now.

In addition to learning about flight, you will check a box on service academy applications. Most will ask if you have a pilot certificate. Not sure what they count.
Good luck to you.
 
My daughter is also a rising 9th grader! Right now she's focused on her leadership skills (she attends POLA this summer for League Cadets) and staying out of trouble. As much as she would love to start flying now...the cost is extremely prohibitive for us. She applied for STEM at USNA but if it doesn't come through it's okay, she will just add another advanced training.
This is a great place to lurk and get information!
 
OZZY said:
I've been lurking on this forum for over a year now and made my account a few months ago, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself now and become familiar with others on here.

I am a female in 8th grade and I've been wanting to attend the USNA since late 2015/early 2016. I know it's too early for me to apply, but I've been told it's good to start preparing early. I have visited the USNA and WP before and submitted my application for USNA Summer STEM last month. My grades are good (98.5 GPA last quarter) and I'm in a couple of clubs at my school. I'm not in the best physical shape—the tennis team is the only sports team I'm on—but I'm working on improving that. Sometime this year I'll apply for the Sea Cadets. I am very passionate about science and aviation and space are my two biggest interests. I've wanted to become a pilot since elementary school. My other interests include math, history, photography, art, and music. I live in New York.

I look forward to meeting other members on this forum!:) Sorry for this very mediocre piece of writing.

Also, any advice would be greatly appreciated. What are some other things I could do as someone my age?
Click to expand...

I know at least one other poster mentioned beginning to go forward with your dreams to fly now. You had mentioned attending a regents math class so I am guessing you may be in NY. If that is the case, I would look into your local BOCES. Many of them offer aviation as an academy. You would be able to complete that course and have your pilot license by the time you finished high school!

Best of luck to you!!! Hope to see you on the forum in 4 years with some good news!
 
UHBlackhawk said:
Some will tell you not to worry about learning aviation skills until you get in the military- they will teach you to fly the way you need to fly.
I am going to disagree with that advice. Some of the great and famous pilots in the military- Sullenberger and Hoover come to mind- got their start flying at young ages and admitted that their successes were due to the combined experiences and instructors they had over the years. As a former military aviator, every type I have flown- from the little J-3, the Schweizer 1-26, the Schweizer 296... up through the Blackhawk and transport jets... has taught me something. I've learned something from every instructor, from the guy who patted me on the butt before my first solo, to the guy who gave me my last airline check.
So I would say if you want to fly, fly. Try to find out if there is a glider club nearby where you can learn how to soar, one of the purest and most peaceful means of flying. Maybe there's an old coot nearby who can teach you to fly a J-3, Champ or some other tailwheel airplane. No better time to learn how to put an airplane down straight than now.

In addition to learning about flight, you will check a box on service academy applications. Most will ask if you have a pilot certificate. Not sure what they count.
Good luck to you.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I've heard of a program called the Young Eagles. I don't think I'll be able to afford many flights but the YE provides your first flight for free. I guess that'll start my flying career. I didn't think flying at my age was that important but your response was really insightful. I really want to fly... once again, thanks for your reply!!:)
 
seacadetmum said:
My daughter is also a rising 9th grader! Right now she's focused on her leadership skills (she attends POLA this summer for League Cadets) and staying out of trouble. As much as she would love to start flying now...the cost is extremely prohibitive for us. She applied for STEM at USNA but if it doesn't come through it's okay, she will just add another advanced training.
This is a great place to lurk and get information!
Click to expand...
Before you replied I didn't think girls like me even existed... lol. I'm not sure if there's private messaging on here or how it works, but do you mind if I contact you to discuss the SC? It would be helpful if someone could guide me through the whole process of joining and share our progress with STEM/USNA in general. Sorry if I'm asking for too much but unfortunately my family can't really help me with this...
Thanks for the response!
 
I am going to put a quick plug in for Sea Cadets. I know that you want to fly and Sea Cadets has some great advanced training for that after you complete a recruit training. Last summer I know they had a FAA Ground School and Basic Airman (working with maintenance crews on aircraft). I also believe there was an Advanced Airman and maybe a few others. These are absolutely great opportunities. One of the questions they will ask you when you apply is, "what if you don't get a pilot slot?" So here is the amazing part about Sea Cadets, you have all kinds of great opportunities from Field Ops, Winter Survival, Seamanship , Sailing, SCUBA, Culinary, Medical, and so many others. Plus you will learn leadership. I am in charge of the League Cadets in my unit. At 11 and 12 they can get out in from of 30 Cadets and call cadence for marching and help lead PT. Right now I only have a few more drills before I graduation and go to USAFA, USNA, USMA, or USCGA. I would not be the person I am today or have these options without Sea Cadets. The one thing I regret about Sea Cadets is I didn't join sooner.

Look on their national website http://www.seacadets.org.
And this page will help you find a Unit near you http://www.seacadets.org/join/.
Most Units will let you come and see what it is like for a day. Give it a shot and see if you like it.
 
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