college grades

C

Crusader99

USNA 29 reapplicant
Joined
Jan 8, 2024
Messages
34
Hey how's it going, I am a college re-applicant taking pretty much the same course load as Plebes and NROTC.

Long story short, I have now realized how difficult it would be to get a 3.7 GPA taking chem, chem lab, and calc while trying to balance out club sports and NROTC. I haven't bombed anything yet and I still have an A in chem and calc after 4 weeks, but things are starting to spice up. I'm going to do everything in my power to get a GPA over 3.3, but in the event I get like a 3.2 or something, would I be ruining my whole application? I know USNA admissions puts a lot of emphasis on that First Semester report card and I would hate to wash away all my progress in ECA and SAT improvements because of 1 C+ in Chem or something.
 
What you are doing (as described by you) is what plebes do. USNA wants to see you excel in plebe courses while mimicking as much as possible the other stuff plebes do. You really need As and Bs. Cs are unlikely to result in success.

Sounds like you’re off to a great start! Just keep pushing through. Get extra instruction when you need it. Study on WEs when needs (most plebes do).

You really want it? Then you CAN do it!!!
 
usna1985 said:
What you are doing (as described by you) is what plebes do. USNA wants to see you excel in plebe courses while mimicking as much as possible the other stuff plebes do. You really need As and Bs. Cs are unlikely to result in success.

Sounds like you’re off to a great start! Just keep pushing through. Get extra instruction when you need it. Study on WEs when needs (most plebes do).

You really want it? Then you CAN do it!!!
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so far I’m loving the grind, hopefully I can get that gpa around a 3.4 or above
 
Keep up the great work! As noted, USNA will 'see' that you are succeeding in college, including keeping pace and participating in NROTC. I think you are doing quite well, and as my students at Virginia Tech found, you may very well earn an on-campus scholarship, too. I assume you will approach your commander to seek a nomination to USNA, plus a recommendation from a NROTC instructor should be part of your application, too. Best of luck!
 
Mid-like schedule, with solid grades. Showing that you can maintain a strong course-load in a vigorous environment as a young adult. CFA and extracurriculars.
 
SAT and ACT are meant to be indicators of how you'll perform in college. An even better indicator is your actual college performance itself. Hence the lesser emphasis on SAT and ACT for reapplicants.
 
It can be a grind for sure but it sounds like you are staying afloat so far! Definitely go in for extra help time, even when you feel like you have a handle on the info, especially for the classes that are harder for you. Sometimes demonstrating that effort can be the difference between a C+ and a B-, especially in a lab grade where there is a little more subjectivity in the grading process.
 
If your SAT was sub 1400 and / or sub 700 in math, check with USNA Admissions re retaking, especially if (for whatever reason) you college is not academically challenging. I have had them advise candidates to retake. That said, high grades in plebe courses are key.
 
I actually reached out to my admissions counselor and he said to focus on college grades. Like I said I’m at a 1360 as of now which is a 140 point improvement from last years application. Hopefully I showed I am improving my app from last year and a A- or B+ in Calc will make up for my 650 on the math.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Irrelevant is perhaps overstated.... still relevant but actual performance in plebe-like curriculum is more important.
Concur with '85, ask Admissions for their recommendation in your particular case.
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Admissions told my DS to retake (he is the consummate over-thinker/second guesser and standardized tests are not his thing). They also did say that since he was taking a heavy STEM course load at a University that his grades would certainly play a big factor. Essentially, even if the SAT scores didn't move that much, straight A's would go a long way to overcome any perceived weakness in his SAT scores. No free rides of course, but I think many will agree that sparkling SAT scores don't prove you can handle the course work at Annapolis as much as actual college coursework showing you have the ability.
 
So midterm scores for chem and calc were just released and I’m honestly pretty concerned. For the effort I put in I did not receive the scores I wanted. For both chem and calc i got a C+, so maybe my goal for a 3.8 and above may have been unrealistic. Both of these classes are extremely challenging and my calc class has zero curve. I actually had one of the best scores in my calc class but it can’t be brought up to an A due to this no curve rule. I feel I can def improve and have plenty of opportunity for it down the road, but a more realistic gpa for this semester is going to be around a 3.0-3.5. I guess the question I’m asking is, with taking all plebe classes, would this GPA range still show the admission board I can handle college courses. Along with this rigorous course load I have ROTC obligations twice a week, basketball practice for club twice a week, and practice with the D1 women’s team twice a weak. So it’s not like I’m not participating in other college ECAs.
 
Crusader99 said:
So midterm scores for chem and calc were just released and I’m honestly pretty concerned. For the effort I put in I did not receive the scores I wanted. For both chem and calc i got a C+, so maybe my goal for a 3.8 and above may have been unrealistic. Both of these classes are extremely challenging and my calc class has zero curve. I actually had one of the best scores in my calc class but it can’t be brought up to an A due to this no curve rule. I feel I can def improve and have plenty of opportunity for it down the road, but a more realistic gpa for this semester is going to be around a 3.0-3.5. I guess the question I’m asking is, with taking all plebe classes, would this GPA range still show the admission board I can handle college courses. Along with this rigorous course load I have ROTC obligations twice a week, basketball practice for club twice a week, and practice with the D1 women’s team twice a weak. So it’s not like I’m not participating in other college ECAs.
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For a college applicant to USNA, academics is a key factor in the decision for an appointment. Work on getting the highest grades you can in those Plebe equavalent courses. Yes, you also need ECAs and physical activity...but if you don't have the academic side strong...the ECAs likely won't make up for it. Have plans B and C in place.
 
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