Can I vent about acceptance.....

MorningMommy

MorningMommy

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2018
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16
I'll probably just get dragged for this post but I feel so discouraged and maybe not a little bitter......maybe someone else will understand......

My daughter is a sophomore.....
She has been in sea cadets for 3 years and is a Petty Officer (her school runs sea cadets so they put in drill time up to 5 hours weekly then community service), is second in command, color guard, things I don't remember the names, ribbons and badges, etc, drills with our coast guard weekly every fall and spring, trains every summer and sails....

She did crew, as a coxswain, now track bc crew and sea cadets interferred, boat building (engineering/construction), sea perch where her team placed second this past week territory competition, (she was team leader)....

She takes honor classes that are available, has a 3.785 cum unweighted is third in her class at the moment (trying for higher), and will have stellar recommendations, will be in honor society junior year and take college classes and needs to join student government bc sea cadet leadership doesn't count enough......

BUT her SAT scores are not great - over 1000 but under 1200. And we have so little saved for college for two kids but make enough that we won't get full aid. She wants to be career Navy. She wants King's point. She is working hard for King's point - we won't stop and she is going to test prep (she has always had an issue with norm referenced tests, low aptitude high learning curve)

But she most likely will not get appointed. Because people who don't want career military are willing to give 5 years for the free tuition so she competes with people who have unbelievable SAT scores. Talk to admission officer - Sea Cadet achievement not worth a whole lot - Why? She is working her but off there, she is showing her commitment..... It feels so bad to see her work so hard across the board to be told its still not enough to be an officer to serve.....

She will still reach for King's Point. She will also look to see what the other maritime academies will give her. But I don't know how much to go in debt bc we have a second child who isn't military interested. Her backup is enlisting. She says she will do college online while on duty and work towards becoming an officer. She is awesome....I call her my superhero.

But why does it have to be so hard for everyone? Why can any little thing disqualify you......I get its because the monetary worth of the education.....I get it rationally - but as a parent watching this it just sucks. She is amazing and wants to serve (and will no matter what....) 35% leave......when you know your cadet never would.....

Any advice other than stop whining or go take a flying leap? Anyone feel overwhelmed or guilty or frustrated?
 
you are at the right place..All are strangers and will not take any offence to any accusations personally ( at least I won't). If venting here helps your cause and helps you think straight and focus on goal, go for it.
 
You never know if you don't try

Friend of mine got into Yale with a 1220 ACT... not a recruited athlete. Just a very talented and smart guy who wasn't a great test taker. It showed in his essays and his interview.

The essays, the interviews... that's what'll set you apart.

To quote myself from one of my nomination interviews "West Point is there to produce leaders, because we NEED leaders. West Point isn't supposed to produce tip-top scholars like Yale or Harvard or Brown etc. West Point's mission is to produce an Army officer who is an efficient leader."

Best of luck to you and your DD... don't quit.

Edited to add: she's a sophomore! Plenty of time to pull those SAT scores up!
 
Thanks to both of you- and she never will. She of course doesn't even know I'm posting this. It's just watching her work so hard...and knowing so much doesn't "count". She loves - absolutely loves sea cadets and excels. Took her 100 question PO test is 12 minutes and got an 86 because it just matches her thought pattern - her sensibilities so I know no matter what she will be happy even if she enlists instead of college. But I also know how badly she wants to be an officer - how much she wants to be on deck.....you want that for your kid, you want everyone to see the amazing-ness we their parents see.....at times it can make me cry, although I never let her know.....I guess shes the optimist and Im the pessimist....

Oh - edited to add the admissions officer didn't even mention the essay or interview....just government extra curriculars, academics and sat scores....and that sat scores were most important bc they are equalizers.
 
If your daughter does decide to go the enlisted Navy path after HS, she should read everything at the link below, including the hamburger menu items, about the Navy’s enlisted commissioning programs. STA = Seaman to Admiral.

Seaman to Admiral-21 Program - Home Page

www.public.navy.mil www.public.navy.mil

There are many paths. With her affinity for salty things, drive and attitude, she will find the doors that will open to her. I hope she is considering NROTC and applying for the scholarship, and giving that a shot, recognizing college funds are a challenge for your family.

Do your best to not look left or right at what other candidates or SA cadets/midshipmen are doing/saying. The system is designed to take in x new bodies a year, but is also prepared to shed bodies along the way for voluntary and involuntary reasons. That follows through in military service too, because everyone gets out at some point. I can’t tell you the number of all-in, gung-ho USNA mids I have met who shock everyone by deciding it’s not for them.

I hope she has tried some of the Khan Academy free SAT prep. She has time.

Amazing kids have a way of amazing everyone by finding an amazing path. Your job is simply to love her and applaud. Let the other stuff go.
 
If her goal is career Navy, is DD also planning to apply to USNA and NROTC? Seems to make sense to apply for as many Navy options as possible to increase her chances.
Best of luck to your DD. Hard work and dedication usually pays off, although the actual path sometimes differs from our plans.
 
MorningMommy said:
I'll probably just get dragged for this post but I feel so discouraged and maybe not a little bitter......maybe someone else will understand......

My daughter is a sophomore.....
She has been in sea cadets for 3 years and is a Petty Officer (her school runs sea cadets so they put in drill time up to 5 hours weekly then community service), is second in command, color guard, things I don't remember the names, ribbons and badges, etc, drills with our coast guard weekly every fall and spring, trains every summer and sails....

She did crew, as a coxswain, now track bc crew and sea cadets interferred, boat building (engineering/construction), sea perch where her team placed second this past week territory competition, (she was team leader)....

She takes honor classes that are available, has a 3.785 cum unweighted is third in her class at the moment (trying for higher), and will have stellar recommendations, will be in honor society junior year and take college classes and needs to join student government bc sea cadet leadership doesn't count enough......

BUT her SAT scores are not great - over 1000 but under 1200. And we have so little saved for college for two kids but make enough that we won't get full aid. She wants to be career Navy. She wants King's point. She is working hard for King's point - we won't stop and she is going to test prep (she has always had an issue with norm referenced tests, low aptitude high learning curve)

But she most likely will not get appointed. Because people who don't want career military are willing to give 5 years for the free tuition so she competes with people who have unbelievable SAT scores. Talk to admission officer - Sea Cadet achievement not worth a whole lot - Why? She is working her but off there, she is showing her commitment..... It feels so bad to see her work so hard across the board to be told its still not enough to be an officer to serve.....

She will still reach for King's Point. She will also look to see what the other maritime academies will give her. But I don't know how much to go in debt bc we have a second child who isn't military interested. Her backup is enlisting. She says she will do college online while on duty and work towards becoming an officer. She is awesome....I call her my superhero.

But why does it have to be so hard for everyone? Why can any little thing disqualify you......I get its because the monetary worth of the education.....I get it rationally - but as a parent watching this it just sucks. She is amazing and wants to serve (and will no matter what....) 35% leave......when you know your cadet never would.....

Any advice other than stop whining or go take a flying leap? Anyone feel overwhelmed or guilty or frustrated?
Click to expand...
Totally understand MorningMommy! My DS was a 2 time applicant to USAFA, been working since 9th grade to get there, 4 years AFJROTC and reached Wing Commander his Senior year, 3 sports, took ACT 5 times (ended with a 31) and SAT( ended with a 1400) like 6 times to bring his scores up! Even got a scholarship from Airforce Headquarters to get his pilots license. Never actually met a human as determined and focused as this kid for something they wanted. Attended a self prep his Freshman College year after the first rejection, only to get a second rejection last April. Broke my heart when he called and said, " mom, why don't they want me?"

But, I helped him pick up the pieces and he enrolled in a state university with AFROTC and is finishing up his sophomore year and doing excellent. This too shall pass! Look into the prep schools at MMI and NMMI, they offer very generous scholarships and also put them in classes to prep for the tests AND administer the tests like 4 times in their first semester to help them be competitive, as well as knock out their freshman year as a college student so if they don't get in, your money was not wasted. We too could not afford 100% costs for the school he attends now, but he has a government student loan that pays like $6500 a year.

She sounds like a very driven young lady and I'm sure with your strength and guidance things will work out for her, even if she doesn't get the dream appointment. RESILIENCE is a key factor to her success, and helping her pick up the pieces if she doesn't get appointed. Be RESILIENT too momma you can do this! Frankly, I was so wore out with the stress for two years, felling soooo much better this year because he didn't reapply a third time. I'm just hopping on this forum this year to provide support to parents like you going through this process! I feel your pain...
 
She will try NROTC if she can break the 1200 sat score. Annapolis wont take her - the average score there is like a 1400 and the competition is even worse....USMMA, NROTC, maritime academies, UNO are all on her list....but she wants and is working for USMMA. She has started Khan Academy and all of her teachers are offering 1:1 tutoring for next year....so wer'e working and hoping.

BTW - you guys are awesome. I really did think I would get dragged bc I get how hard everyone works and how many amazing kids get turned away - I don't think my case is unique at all. And I get why they do it.....but you have all been so comforting.....truly - thank you all.
 
GratefulDad said:
Is there anybody applying to the Merchant Marine Academy that actually wants to be a merchant marine? Or, is that old fashion?
Click to expand...


Yes they do - BUT bc they can become officers in any branch and all academies are so impossibly competitive USMMA is the only one technically w/o a minimum SAT score and have deck related majors not just engineering, so a lot of coast guard and navy prospecitves try for it......like my DD. I honestly think as long as the food is good enough (she is a foodie) once on a boat she would never have to step on land again.....
 
Your daughter sounds amazing and it also sounds like she has the work ethic to accomplish anything. Don’t lose the battle before the first shot is fired! If you believe that her test scores are her weakness then have her focus on improvement. 2 years is plenty of time to accomplish that task. If if doesn’t work out; well she gave it her all and there is no shame in that. You describe a pretty busy school schedule, maybe she could reevaluate her commitments over the next 2 years and devote more time to the SAT test,or whatever you perceive as her weakness. Be positive! Your children are watching you and looking for guidance as well as picking up cues on how to deal with challenges in life. Best of luck!
 
Jarhead713 said:
You never know if you don't try

Friend of mine got into Yale with a 1220 ACT... not a recruited athlete. Just a very talented and smart guy who wasn't a great test taker. It showed in his essays and his interview.

The essays, the interviews... that's what'll set you apart.

To quote myself from one of my nomination interviews "West Point is there to produce leaders, because we NEED leaders. West Point isn't supposed to produce tip-top scholars like Yale or Harvard or Brown etc. West Point's mission is to produce an Army officer who is an efficient leader."

Best of luck to you and your DD... don't quit.

Edited to add: she's a sophomore! Plenty of time to pull those SAT scores up!
Click to expand...
SAT?
 
MorningMommy said:
She will try NROTC if she can break the 1200 sat score.
Click to expand...
Have you considered Prep Expert for SAT Prep? Their live instructor plan is expensive, but.... they guarantee a 200pt increase on SAT. I will tell you the fine print of that guarantee matters, but it sounds like your DD is very determined and would likely diligently do the homework assignments and turn them in on time.
prepexpert.com

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Khan academy for 10-20 minutes a day will greatly increase her math score. A lot of people say you have 0% chance if you never apply. All of the maritime schools, Suny, Maine, Mass, Cal, etc. would also help her in this goal. It's good to recognize your areas to improve early. She has plenty of time.
Good luck.
 
The average SAT means some are above the average and some are below the average. Average for USMMA is around 1300.

Like was said - SAT scores go up with practice and Khan - where you learn tricks and how to take the test.
 
Every one of my kids significantly improved on their ACT scores just with repeated practice of taking the test. Only 1 of 4 actually self-studied, the others just improved with familiarization and increased knowledge of subject material (they started in summer b/n 9th and 10th). One child improved from a 24 composite to a 31 in a span of 2 months because the test center had swivel chairs and "I felt super relaxed." No prep in-between, but the change in test environment was huge for her.

As others have said, self-prep with sites like Khan Academy (it's free). Have her take an ACT exam as some kids do better on with one test's format vs. the other. I'm confident your child can raise her test scores and it sounds like she shines in other areas of her application.
 
I think that your daughter has a better shot at acceptance than you think. Her GPA is strong, and it sounds like she has very solid leadership. Yes, she should try her best to improve her SAT, and maybe try out the ACT if possible (HIGHLY recommend Khan Academy). She should also make sure that she is challenging herself in her classes, and try to be in Precalculus or Calculus her senior year, and also take physics and chemistry if possible. Also, if any AP classes are available that she will succeed in, take them as well. If your daughter is good at track, have her reach out to the coach as well, and see if she is good enough to be recruited.

It also depends on if your daughter is able to obtain a nomination. For some Districts/ States, all of the academies are highly competitive, while in others, just one of them might be. Personally, at my senator interview, I was told that very few people applied for nominations to USMMA, yet the other academies had a lot of nomination requests.

My parting advice for her: work hard at school, try to raise your SAT's, stay in shape to pass the CFA and don't give up... USMMA is not as out of reach as you might think.
 
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