Current Outlook?

Fuss

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Joined
Feb 28, 2015
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47
Hello! I am currently a sophomore in high school and am looking for some advice, tips, or comments on what I have done, currently doing, or planning to do in the next year before I start my application,

To start off with my grades/classes, I took 3 honor classes my freshmen year(sadly those were all the honor classes that were provided to me.) Therefore that allowed me to finish with a 4.4 weighted GPA freshmen year and making me ranked 1st in my class with 5 others. Sophomore year I decided to step it up with 6/7 honor classes(no AP classes as a sophomore). And now I am ranked 1 with only 1 other person, holding a 4.8 weighted GPA. Now my plan for junior year is to take 6/6 honor classes again. With my junior year included 3 AP classes and 3 honor classes. Hopefully this will break the tie breaker and put me in first by myself. I am very determined to take as many AP classes that my school offers and getting the best grades possible to help me achieve being ranked 1st in my class.

In addition, I have just recently begin studying for the SAT/ACT because I know the importance in them, and to keep taking these tests until I can't score any higher! Any recommendations in studying techniques would be great!

For sports I am fairly active. During the fall I play football. I will not be a captain junior year, but senior year, I will be one of the main captains(coaches rule). This year for a winter sport I didn't do anything to mainly focus on school, but next year I plan on either wrestling/basketball to keep me as a competitor. During the spring I run track and play soccer at the same time. I am the long distance captain as a sophomore and one of two captains for soccer. I plan to keep doing these sports until I graduate, and keep pushing for the "leadership positions" of the team.

For extracurricular actives I part take in an outside club called "key club." This is for my involvement in the community. Various activities include washing dishes, serving at dinners, working booths, relay for life, and so on. To improve my leadership I am also in Civil Air Patrol. I am currently a technical sergeant, and plan to be a cadet officer exactly on the date of February 16th 2015. I am the highest ranking cadet in my squadron mainly because we are a new formed squadron, with no previous leaders. Therefore I was looked upon as a mentor right from when I joined(a lot of looking stuff up online to answer other cadet's questions and concerns) as I have progressed through Civil Air Patrol I have recently became the first sergeant of the squadron and I am in charge of the administration and planning of the cadet corps.

For things I pursue out of my schedule, I am currently working to get my private pilot's license when I turn 17. I enjoy flying whenever I can! I can proudly say that I solo'd a plane before I could drive alone! My main question out of this will this boost me in my competition for an appointment? Regardless if it does, I still intend to reach my goal.

And finally the nominations, I have heard many thoughts on this topic. And was told that it is never to early to contact your congressman. And in the morning I plan to send out an email on who I am! Any recommendations?


Thank you for the lengthly read, and I apologize if this is not the appropriate place to post this, any advice, comments, or recommendations is much appreciated!
 
It sounds like you're on the right track. My advice would be this. Try not to burn yourself out. Make sure you enjoy your high school years!
 
You are on a great track! Keep up the good work. That said, before sending anything to your Members of Congress check out their Service Academy instructions on their web site first. They are very busy wrapping up class of 2019 noms/appointments and gearing up for class of 2020. Ideal time to contact them is early spring of your junior year.
 
You are on a great track! Keep up the good work. That said, before sending anything to your Members of Congress check out their Service Academy instructions on their web site first. They are very busy wrapping up class of 2019 noms/appointments and gearing up for class of 2020. Ideal time to contact them is early spring of your junior year.
Thank you for the info! Anything else is greatly accepted!!
 
My eldest son was a licensed pilot before he could drive, too. I asked him which he'd prefer, to drive the car or fly the plane. Silly mother, I know. "Mom, of course I want to fly! You can drive me to my flying lessons!"

Key Club is great -

Any chance you can get a summer job?
 
My DS is also a sophomore. Wow! You have accomplished so much in 2 years of high school. Good for you.
DS is participating in Hugh O'Brien (Hoby) leadership and intends on applying to Boys State his junior year. We've been advised these leadership experiences are highly valued with service academies.

DS is also working as an assistant at a youth soccer camp this summer and is a referee for rec league soccer games.
 
My eldest son was a licensed pilot before he could drive, too. I asked him which he'd prefer, to drive the car or fly the plane. Silly mother, I know. "Mom, of course I want to fly! You can drive me to my flying lessons!"

Key Club is great -

Any chance you can get a summer job?
A summer job wouldn't be the easiest, I will have sports in the early morning, Civil Air Patrol, and studying heavily for the SAT/ACT. I could always attempt to get a job. But will this put me ahead of any applicants? (AKA more of a competitor?)
 
My DS is also a sophomore. Wow! You have accomplished so much in 2 years of high school. Good for you.
DS is participating in Hugh O'Brien (Hoby) leadership and intends on applying to Boys State his junior year. We've been advised these leadership experiences are highly valued with service academies.

DS is also working as an assistant at a youth soccer camp this summer and is a referee for rec league soccer games.
What is this "Hoby" leadership? Sounds quite interesting. Also funny you should mention your DS working for a youth soccer camp. Because I have recently started assistant coaching 2 girl soccer teams! (One U-12 and another U-13)
 
"During the fall I play football. I will not be a captain junior year, but senior year, I will be one of the main captains(coaches rule)."

Could you elaborate on this? Does your coach have a rule that says all seniors will be captains or something?

Do Boys State the summer after your junior year.
 
What is this "Hoby" leadership? Sounds quite interesting. Also funny you should mention your DS working for a youth soccer camp. Because I have recently started assistant coaching 2 girl soccer teams! (One U-12 and another U-13)

Our son applied for Hoby back in November. My son and husband went to our school district military academy information night where all representatives from each service academy do a presentation, give out information and answer questions. I guess my son made a good impression with a representative from another service academy. This representative highly emphasized participation and even had followed up with the counselor to make sure our DS had indeed turned in his application. Our son had to apply and do a panel interview to be selected as the schools delegate. Each school sends 1 sophomore. Here is a link with more information http://www.hoby.org/
 
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"During the fall I play football. I will not be a captain junior year, but senior year, I will be one of the main captains(coaches rule)."

Could you elaborate on this? Does your coach have a rule that says all seniors with be captains or something?
No juniors can act as the "main captains". The "main captains" are the 4 that walk out to do the coin flip, and generally control the behavior of the practices. Now these 4 captains are seniors. (only allowed to be seniors), However there can be other "side" captains that act as a leader and assist the main captains. Its a complicated system, yes. But I can almost guarantee I will be one of those 4 captains my senior year.
 
Our son applied for Hoby back in November. My son and husband went to our school district military academy information night where all representatives from each service academy does a presentation, gives out information and answers questions. I guess my son made a good impression with a representative from another service academy. This representative highly emphasized participation and even had followed up with the counselor to make sure our DS had indeed turned in his application. Our son had to apply and do a panel interview to be selected as the schools delegate. Each school sends 1 sophomore. Here is a link with more information http://www.hoby.org/
Thank you for the info! I will be signing up for a seminar early this summer!
 
A summer job wouldn't be the easiest, I will have sports in the early morning, Civil Air Patrol, and studying heavily for the SAT/ACT. I could always attempt to get a job. But will this put me ahead of any applicants? (AKA more of a competitor?)
I took a job during the school year while balancing varsity sports, leadership in CAP, ACT testing, as well as other activities, while maintaining 4.0. Not saying this to brag, just to say you CAN do it, and I would really encourage you to do so!
 
Bailey is spot on. It is possible! I realize you are extremely busy (I have been there and done that too), but remember that there is always someone who is willing/able to go the extra mile or ten if it means they could end up with an appointment.
 
Bailey is spot on. It is possible! I realize you are extremely busy (I have been there and done that too), but remember that there is always someone who is willing/able to go the extra mile or ten if it means they could end up with an appointment.
Yes; and know, it isn't easy! Junior year was the most difficult time of my life! But you CAN do it, if you are willing to give 100% energy and effort to meeting your goals.
 
The problem is, I have to go to school, after school I have key club for 30 minutes. Go to track practice for 2 hours, get out at 5:00. Then I have an hour and half to do homework. Then have soccer practice 7-9. And in Wednesdays I have CAP meetings at 6. On Mondays I go out of town(I live in a small town) and coach soccer 60 miles away from my town.

I wouldn't be able to get a job, it would not work at all. I would only be able to work on weekends, and normally I have games on a Saturday. So if a job consists of Sunday hours only, I'll attempt to do it! Otherwise I'll probably have to save it for the summer!
 
Summer jobs are great too! Also, I could be wrong on this, but it sounds like you may already have a job coaching soccer? You have a lot of other good activities, by the way. :thumb:
 
The problem is, I have to go to school, after school I have key club for 30 minutes. Go to track practice for 2 hours, get out at 5:00. Then I have an hour and half to do homework. Then have soccer practice 7-9. And in Wednesdays I have CAP meetings at 6. On Mondays I go out of town(I live in a small town) and coach soccer 60 miles away from my town.

I wouldn't be able to get a job, it would not work at all. I would only be able to work on weekends, and normally I have games on a Saturday. So if a job consists of Sunday hours only, I'll attempt to do it! Otherwise I'll probably have to save it for the summer!

Don't worry about it. A lot of people get into the academies without a job. I never made any of my three kids get jobs. I always told them that their "job" was to be the best student and athlete that they could be, and to have fun. My kids were all multiple-sport athletes and club members and were/are very busy, too. They did have weekly duties at home (change and wash the sheets on their beds, pick up the dog waste, etc.) that needed to be done or the spending money spigot got turned off. They have all gotten scholarships, done well in college and after, and I have yet to pay a dime in college expenses.

You'll be fine as long as you keep the grades and activities up.

Stealth_81
 
Fuss - have you considered becoming a certified soccer referee? DS became a referee at 14 and loves it! He plays his own games on Saturdays and refs on Sundays (travel games also pay more) or on Saturdays before/after his own game. It's a job that requires leadership and management skills of all sorts - dealing with young players, peers, and many parents and coaches. A good confidence builder!
 
Don't worry about it. A lot of people get into the academies without a job. I never made any of my three kids get jobs. I always told them that their "job" was to be the best student and athlete that they could be, and to have fun. My kids were all multiple-sport athletes and club members and were/are very busy, too. They did have weekly duties at home (change and wash the sheets on their beds, pick up the dog waste, etc.) that needed to be done or the spending money spigot got turned off. They have all gotten scholarships, done well in college and after, and I have yet to pay a dime in college expenses.

You'll be fine as long as you keep the grades and activities up.

Stealth_81
Thanks for the advice! I will probably do what you had your kids do, and be the best student athlete I can be!
 
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