Chance me for USNA/NROTC scholarship?

flightzealot

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Jun 23, 2016
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17
Objective: Some form of engineering
Gender: Male (I'm going into senior year)
Race: Caucasian

SAT score: 2100/1440 (composite) (superscore: 750 CR, 690 M, 660 W)
SAT 2 scores: Math 2- 800 and Biology/E-430 (I bombed biology lol but if I want to send math 2, I have to send biology because I took them on the same day)

My school is ranked #28 for public schools in the U.S.
Average: 96 (this isn't impressive in my school as a lot of kids have 100+ averages)
Class Rank: My school doesn't rank.
Classes taken and Senior Class load:
Freshman- Bio, Geometry, English, Pre-Engineering, Global History, Russian.
Sophomore- Chemistry, Algebra 2/Trig, AP World, Russian, English, SERP (Scientific and Engineering Research Program- this was voluntary and pretty hard to get into (14 out of 200 kids made it- I quit next year lol).
Junior- AP Environmental, AP Russian, AP U.S., Pre-Calc, English.
Senior- AP Physics, AP Pol Science, Calc, English.
Academic downfalls: I messed up freshman and sophomore year in my math/science classes. I had 2 C's in geometry, 1 C and 1 B in algebra 2/trig, and 2 Bs in chemistry. However, I picked up my act and got a 92 on the algebra 2/trig regent (required NYC test (its on my transcript) and 2 As in Pre-Calc Junior Year.

EC's: Wrestling Freshman Year (I also wrestled for 3 years in middle school), Chess Team for 2 years, Key Club for 1 year, Over 180 hours volunteering at a pharmacy, Type 2 diabetes walk fund raiser, Took a psychology course at a college, UDACITY: Intro to Computer Science (Python) certificate, NHS, QOL research competition (this is a pretty big competition (all of NYC)) semi-finalist with creativity award, March of Dimes essay participant (Ethics in Medicine), Worked with a professor on a research paper called "The Effects of MI on Strength Gains", and School Band for 4 years.

2 good teacher recommendations and I might be able to get a recommendation from an Active Duty Marine (I know him personally but Ill make sure to apply for other nominations as well)

Potential Concerns: My math/science grades and the fact that I didn't do any sport consistently throughout my years in high school. I did workout consistently though and went from 113lbs to 220lbs right now with a 405lb squat, 255 pound bench, and a 405lb deadlift. I know I could get competitive CFA scores if I start training right now and make the cut down to 170.

So assuming I achieve competitive CFA scores, what are my chances? Thanks in advance.
 
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Also, do a search of the forum. We cannot tell you your chances. I'm sure there will be some people who can give you tips and advice on where to improve, but no one can tell you your chances.
 
Your grades are fine. Your SAT is fine.

Your ECAS are weak. Many applicants will dwarf that part of your resume. Lack of athletics is notable. No one will care about middle school athletics. Add some senior year sports. Add leadership.

If they really want you, you'll get an offer. With your current resume I would have a solid plan B, and maybe a C.
 
Ok, thanks for the advice guys. Yeah... I figured my ECs weren't up to standard. I guess ill look around some more before deciding if I should start training for the CFA right now or spend my time doing something else.
 
Another question guys, will application to the USNA automatically consider you for the NROTC scholarship as well?
 
No, they are separate applications and processes, but you can apply for both. If you think you may want USNA or ROTC you should not give up on physical training as it's an important factor in both.
 
Another question guys, will application to the USNA automatically consider you for the NROTC scholarship as well?


No, the USNA and NROTC are two separate application processes; you need to go to NROTC and open up your file to do that.

My DS got a 4-Year NROTC for his "Plan B" back-up. The NROTC application will allow you to use your USNA CFA results for the NROTC version of the CFA. It requires a form to be submitted by the individual who recorded your USNA CFA to be submitted to NROTC, but it is well worth it.
 
Ok, thanks for the advice guys. Yeah... I figured my ECs weren't up to standard. I guess ill look around some more before deciding if I should start training for the CFA right now or spend my time doing something else.

Regarding sports, this post is from @Christcorp at the USAFA forum but really is relevant reading to all who think they should reduce or skip varsity athletics.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/sports-and-your-academy-application.44076/
 
Yeah... I figured my ECs weren't up to standard. I guess ill look around some more before deciding if I should start training for the CFA right now or spend my time doing something else.

There is no single right or wrong activity -- but remember that USNA is looking for well rounded leaders. Participating in an activity just to add it to your resume really doesn't do anything. Being the Captain of a varsity team, or leading an ECA, helps to distinguish you from the pack of highly qualified candidates.
 
Thanks for the responses. I appreciate you posting that thread gokings. I mean, I did play sports all throughout my life (I have records that I can provide)... but I doubt they'll care about that since they weren't done throughout the majority of my HS years. I swam competitively for 8 years, played tennis competitively for 6 years, wrestled for 4 years, and boxed for 1 year. The reason that I stopped wrestling was because I needed some time to get stronger/bigger (at 113lbs at 5'10 I didn't feel very good and with the constant weight cutting demand/cardio in wrestling I couldn't gain weight). If fitness is solely determined in the CFA and sport participation is used to determine other admirable attributes then wouldn't chess kind of count as a sport lol. Now that Im stronger, I will take up wrestling next year again... is there anyway I can explain (in my application) the reasons for me stopping playing sports (besides chess) and would the reasons I listed above sound viable. Thanks.
 
s there anyway I can explain (in my application) the reasons for me stopping playing sports (besides chess) and would the reasons I listed above sound viable. Thanks.

I think you can convey some of this in your essays, as this appears to be a challenge that you have fought to overcome. You can also articulate this in your BGO interview for USNA, and your PNS inteview for NROTC.
 
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