Hi everyone! I’m 16, a junior, planning to start my application to the USNA in May. I’ve gone through the USNA site and looked through the posts here for the USNA going back to the beginning in 2006. Lots of interesting stuff, and the evolution of the requirements and worries (along with a lot that stays the same throughout) make it a very interesting read. I know you guys can’t give me an percentage rating of my chances, and really, I’m not looking for that.
However, I have a relatively unusual background, with some deficits compared to the average applicant, and I’m hoping that someone here might have experience with some of the same things, and give me some ideas on how to present everything in the best light to maximize my chances of making it through.
On the negative side, I’ve been in the foster system in Los Angeles since before my second birthday, and have been in 38 foster homes and 31 schools, including 6 high schools so far. Despite the stereotype, I’ve never had behavioral problems, and have an evaluation from a psychologist at Social Services stating that I don’t have any problems in spite of the number of times I’ve been moved around, and that I’m able to handle stress well.
Because of the frequent changes in homes and schools, I’ve never been in clubs or sports. I have participated in martial arts when possible and have black belts in Hapkido and Aikido. I’ve been working after school and weekends for the last few years, and have also tried hard to contribute to the foster homes I’ve been in, helping with chores, watching younger kids, tutoring other kids in academics, and so forth. I have some of these efforts documented in a journal.
On the plus side, I have a 4.0 GPA going back to first grade, and have taken the most advanced classes available. I got a 1520 on the practice PSAT last year, and a 1600 on the SAT last May, and have taken a bunch of AP tests so far, all with a score of 5, including Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C, Spanish and Spanish Lit. I took a practice CFA last month and maxed all the sections. I started studying on my own in third grade, to make sure that I could stay current even with changing schools mid-year, and have made lots of progress. I speak a number of languages, since my foster families had people from many different national and ethnic groups.
The congressional district I’m in at the moment had seven or less candidates on their nomination slate the last three years, so it might be a better chance than many, although I’m aware that any given year might be better or worse. My parents were both half Native American. I don’t know if that’s one of the diversity targets for the academy.
So, I have letters of recommendation from my Social Services case worker documenting my good behavior in school and contributions in the homes I’ve been in, and from the psychologist, stating that he doesn’t believe I’d have any problem fitting in.
The foster home I’m in now is several miles from the high school and our foster mom takes care of eight kids, so rides to and from school aren’t practical. I have work after school, so I have to take the bus home and am not able to stay and participate in sports or clubs. I’ve talked with coaches about running track or cross-country, and their attitude was that if I couldn’t put in at least two hours a day, six days a week, I shouldn’t bother.
I took the AMC10 last year, and scored a 15, but was moved to another school before the scores came back, and I wasn’t able to take the AIME. If I can do as well next year, I might be able to do well on the AIME and then in the US Math Olympiad or even the International Math Olympiad. I’ve never seen the AMC tests mentioned in this forum though, and am wondering what kind of weight they’d give. I’m taking a few more AP tests in May too.
I’m aware that foster kids have a sometimes deserved reputation for emotional problems, but I believe I can document my stability. Balancing a good CFA and martial arts against a lack of sports, and good scores and GPA despite lots of schools, is there anything I should be working on besides becoming the captain of the football team?
However, I have a relatively unusual background, with some deficits compared to the average applicant, and I’m hoping that someone here might have experience with some of the same things, and give me some ideas on how to present everything in the best light to maximize my chances of making it through.
On the negative side, I’ve been in the foster system in Los Angeles since before my second birthday, and have been in 38 foster homes and 31 schools, including 6 high schools so far. Despite the stereotype, I’ve never had behavioral problems, and have an evaluation from a psychologist at Social Services stating that I don’t have any problems in spite of the number of times I’ve been moved around, and that I’m able to handle stress well.
Because of the frequent changes in homes and schools, I’ve never been in clubs or sports. I have participated in martial arts when possible and have black belts in Hapkido and Aikido. I’ve been working after school and weekends for the last few years, and have also tried hard to contribute to the foster homes I’ve been in, helping with chores, watching younger kids, tutoring other kids in academics, and so forth. I have some of these efforts documented in a journal.
On the plus side, I have a 4.0 GPA going back to first grade, and have taken the most advanced classes available. I got a 1520 on the practice PSAT last year, and a 1600 on the SAT last May, and have taken a bunch of AP tests so far, all with a score of 5, including Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C, Spanish and Spanish Lit. I took a practice CFA last month and maxed all the sections. I started studying on my own in third grade, to make sure that I could stay current even with changing schools mid-year, and have made lots of progress. I speak a number of languages, since my foster families had people from many different national and ethnic groups.
The congressional district I’m in at the moment had seven or less candidates on their nomination slate the last three years, so it might be a better chance than many, although I’m aware that any given year might be better or worse. My parents were both half Native American. I don’t know if that’s one of the diversity targets for the academy.
So, I have letters of recommendation from my Social Services case worker documenting my good behavior in school and contributions in the homes I’ve been in, and from the psychologist, stating that he doesn’t believe I’d have any problem fitting in.
The foster home I’m in now is several miles from the high school and our foster mom takes care of eight kids, so rides to and from school aren’t practical. I have work after school, so I have to take the bus home and am not able to stay and participate in sports or clubs. I’ve talked with coaches about running track or cross-country, and their attitude was that if I couldn’t put in at least two hours a day, six days a week, I shouldn’t bother.
I took the AMC10 last year, and scored a 15, but was moved to another school before the scores came back, and I wasn’t able to take the AIME. If I can do as well next year, I might be able to do well on the AIME and then in the US Math Olympiad or even the International Math Olympiad. I’ve never seen the AMC tests mentioned in this forum though, and am wondering what kind of weight they’d give. I’m taking a few more AP tests in May too.
I’m aware that foster kids have a sometimes deserved reputation for emotional problems, but I believe I can document my stability. Balancing a good CFA and martial arts against a lack of sports, and good scores and GPA despite lots of schools, is there anything I should be working on besides becoming the captain of the football team?
