Can I vent about acceptance.....

Have your daughter start studying on Khan Academy - it's online and free. The first time my son took the SAT he scored a 1280. He realized that it was low and started to study using Khan Academy and a prep book we purchased off Amazon for $20. He prepped as time allowed and took practice tests over the weekend. He raised the 1280 to a 1440 the 2nd time he took the test.
 
MorningMommy said:
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.....
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You’re wrong. USMMA does have a minimum SAT score. It’s 1120 if I remember correctly. At some point you need to realize this is all water under the bridge. Admissions doesn’t really care about anyone’s particular motivation or desire for KP. They care about selecting the highest caliber of intellect and leadership. SAT scores are highly correlated with success in college. I would bet that 50% at least of people who got in less than 1200 are separated involuntarily. A great deal of the 35% are separated involuntarily. Besides it’s a merchant marine academy. Don’t go there to become an active duty officer.
 
FroggyHopper227 said:
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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Thanks - and that's what I originally thought. Also b/c nominations specifically from our area are lacking - they don't get enough. But correspondence with our territories admission officer seems not.....he downplayed Sea Cadets quite a bit as valuable and said while they like specific extra curriculars like multiple sports (she can only fit one sport bc of sea cadets although she has 2 engineering clubs sea perch and boat building ) honor society, and student government the SAT needs to be high. Honor Society is open at her school to eleventh and twelfth graders so she will join next year as long as it doesn't conflict. Oh - and the other sport reason is she is only 4'10" (just made the cutoff). So crew was perfect for her but rowing is practice for hours every single day but Sunday on the river. She did it for 3 years.....

She doesn't do monthly weekend sea cadets - she goes to a maritime high school she chose specifically for the sea cadets program they have at the school bc of how active they are. And she loves it and excels at it so I would never encourage her to drop it.

I guess I just got real discouraged after reading the emails from the admissions officer. She will try , and if she needs to she will do it the long way. At some level though it just felt wrong / impossible and that made it frustrating.

But she will be happy, that I know. She loves the work, she loves the challenge, every CO she works with loves her and "wants" her regardless of branch and she excels at it. It's her "niche" ykwim? So that will be the bottom line - I just wish it was easier/simpler I guess. I don't mean to be a wimp.

All of you have been a big help.
 
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?
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I understand your frustrations. This is my sons second try. He was on NWL last year and again this. We are from a very competitive State and there are people on here saying it doesn't have anything to do with being Varsity Captain or President of SGA, etc or who you know. ........!!! My son has excelled in all his classes even through losing his father at 15, stayed focused and has the never give up attitude. With that said, I work in the public school sector and I know that people are paid far more then they should and / or get a position when they are not nearly qualified for it; all because who they know. I pray for your daughter's appt. I think as a female, she has a better chance then my son but I we will continue to be optimistic and pray everyday for all underdogs.
 
Mr2020 said:
You’re wrong. USMMA does have a minimum SAT score. It’s 1120 if I remember correctly. At some point you need to realize this is all water under the bridge. Admissions doesn’t really care about anyone’s particular motivation or desire for KP. They care about selecting the highest caliber of intellect and leadership. SAT scores are highly correlated with success in college. I would bet that 50% at least of people who got in less than 1200 are separated involuntarily. A great deal of the 35% are separated involuntarily. Besides it’s a merchant marine academy. Don’t go there to become an active duty officer.
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Not officially you can apply with whatever score and having over a 2.5- yes, they recommend anything less than 560 in math retake it to get higher and they superscore. Average is over 1300 for the school though. That's why people who know they can't apply / wouldn't get accepted to USNA try too. She wants it for the transportation degree .....She likes it better that USNA where she has visited, checked out, etc. We go in person this summer.....

My vent I guess is motivation could count to a degree, work ethic. I teach at high school. I have kids that kill the SAT - perfect scores. But they do poorly or "meh" in college - lose scholarships and all bc they are brilliant but not motivated to learn or work based their natural aptitude. Natural talent is awesome, don't get me wrong.....but work ethic tells you dedication, commitment, learning curve, ability to perform under pressure. I guess to them that is for enlisting which is what she will do since service is what she wants.....

Edited to add:

And Leadership I think is something that should count highly - I agree with that. At that I think you see by action, not just by academics. That is why I was surprised about the sea cadet thing. And academics I can get - but academics can be natural aptitude or work ethic. Sometimes I think work ethic could be worth more than natural aptitude. She does have a high GPA and rank and honors classes....she isn't afraid of learning or incapable.
 
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Despite Mr2020's usual negativity, you can definitely succeed at USMMA (and at every service academy) with a lower SAT score. My DD had a low score and has earned an academic gold star every trimester at Kings Point. About one-third of each class from USMMA go active duty upon graduation, and active duty aspiring candidates are welcome. What you need us an interest in things maritime. If you have zero interest in the sea or anything maritime, it will be a miserable four years. Many Midshipmen come to Kings Point wanting to go active duty and change their mind after sea year to sail commercially and vice versa.
 
destinson said:
I understand your frustrations. This is my sons second try. He was on NWL last year and again this. We are from a very competitive State and there are people on here saying it doesn't have anything to do with being Varsity Captain or President of SGA, etc or who you know. ........!!! My son has excelled in all his classes even through losing his father at 15, stayed focused and has the never give up attitude. With that said, I work in the public school sector and I know that people are paid far more then they should and / or get a position when they are not nearly qualified for it; all because who they know. I pray for your daughter's appt. I think as a female, she has a better chance then my son but I we will continue to be optimistic and pray everyday for all underdogs.
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Thanks.....And I'll keep it up for you too....Here's hoping!
What is his plan if not?
 
My current plebe at USNA graduated high school with a GPA around 3.8 (not sure if that's weighted or unweighted) and was ranked in about the top 15% of his class. His SAT score was only 1210 (610 Math, 600 English). He was offered foundation, succeeded and is now a plebe. As a plebe, he has a GPA of 3.3 his first semester and should be over 3.0 his second semester. SAT score isn't everything. If you have been reading this forum for a while, you will often see some humble bragging through the "chance me" threads. Please don't be intimidated by those numbers. As was mentioned earlier, it's the WCS (Whole Candidate Score) that matters. With the work ethic you describe, I don't see why that SAT score wouldn't improve in the next couple of years.

Ultimately, this is a good place to vent. I definitely would stay as positive as can be with your future plebe and keep those negative thoughts limited to this forum and out of her head. Good luck.
 
ProudDad2022 said:
Ultimately, this is a good place to vent. I definitely would stay as positive as can be with your future plebe and keep those negative thoughts limited to this forum and out of her head. Good luck.
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Oh never ever in her head - that is why I posted here and w/o my name. She just sees the cheerleader, like I said I call her my superhero. And it might not come across by I am so impressed by this young lady and can hardly believe she is my daughter - I am sooooo lucky and I know it. Maybe that is why I am so defensive for her? Granted her parents have affected who she is, but she is regardless of us too. DH was a knucklehead all through school. I was good at school and responsible but not like her (I read a lot and have a good memory)- not her work ethic or ability to work thru challenge. I have no idea where that came from. My father was drafted in the Navy for a heartbeat and spent too much time in the drunk tank I think. She loves protocol, routine, order, teamwork and challenge...things that would drive other teenagers up a wall she wallows in. She does not like individual competition though... maybe thats her issue?
 
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