Difficulty

JustAdNauseam

JustAdNauseam

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Joined
Jan 31, 2016
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8
Hi, I'm not sure if there's already a fitting answer out there for my question as I can't seem to find it myself. Please redirect me if there is. :help:

In my circumstance, I go to a high school that isn't exactly the best. It struggled to achieve AYP for a couple of years, is underfunded, and was built in the 1930's.

As of last year, my sophomore year, I ranked 5/146 students in my grade, in a fairly low population school (900-1000). I also had a 4.0+ GPA. Language elective classes were not provided until 9th grade, and no AP classes (of which there are few) are available until 11th grade. And only one, AP US History, was available. So I took it. Currently, my grades all exceed 4.0 each quarter. I can rattle off a spiel of all my clubs, varsity sports, yadda yadda, but I'm not here to ask you a "what my chances are" question.

What I really want to know, is how the USNA or any other service academy looks at it. Sure, I may be in the top 1% in my grade, but if you take into account just how small my school is, its demographics and performance, does that really mean too much? And how does that affect my chances?

edit* removed specifics.
 
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Too much information for this forum, kiddo. Don't continue in this thread. Ask for it to be deleted, change your moniker, and come back more abstractly. I will say that class rank is likely important, no matter what school you attend.
 
I've edited my post as I agree that's a bit too much info. Though I am concerned why information known publicly requires to be removed or lead to me to practically going into hiding. I only intended to provide info not known to people living outside my city so they could understand the situation. Sorry!
:oops2:
 
JustAdNauseam said:
I've edited my post as I agree that's a bit too much info. Though I am concerned why information known publicly requires to be removed or lead to me to practically going into hiding. I only intended to provide info not known to people living outside my city so they could understand the situation. Sorry!
:oops2:
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That kind of info is not known on this forum, glad you removed it. There's a lot of weird people in the world, best to be safe. Your question comes through without specific location :)

Now for your question - USNA does consider your school and circumstances. You can use your school environment in your essay, how you've challenged yourself to go above and beyond what you had access to (multiple AP courses,etc)

Good luck!
 
JustAdNauseam said:
I've edited my post as I agree that's a bit too much info. Though I am concerned why information known publicly requires to be removed or lead to me to practically going into hiding. I only intended to provide info not known to people living outside my city so they could understand the situation. Sorry!
:oops2:
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If you plan to hang out here, it's best to be fully anonymous. That way, you can ask any questions you want without worrying that it could come back to bite you somehow. That may seem weird right now, but a year from now you may understand what I'm saying if you continue to ask questions. This is TOUGH competition and it's a good idea to hold your cards close to your chest. And, no one wants you to go into hiding- I didn't realize you could still edit your post, thats why I said ask for deletion/change your moniker. Editing was a much better idea.

The service academies will consider your school. Your school profile may be requested with your transcripts or SAT scores. Get the best grades possible in the hardest courses available to you.
 
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SA's understand there are all kinds of h.s. across the country. If you perform well on standardized tests like ACT/SAT, the age or financial situation of your school won't matter to them. IF you at/near the top of your class AND perform poorly on ACT/SAT's, then it could indicate as issue with the quality of the education which WILL matter to SA's.
 
DS had a very similar situation with a hs that had a low rate of students who did not go on to college. He did not get in. Despite outstanding gpa, stats, Eagle scout, varsity sports, etc. Bottom-line: the quality of the school does matter. Good luck!
 
Mman5247 said:
But if Norfolk63 is from VA, an extremely competitive state for USNA, it may not reflect your chances. Being from less represented state makes a big difference.
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I'm from Pennsylvania, which I've heard is also a pretty competitive state.
 
I go to a Texas boarding school. The rank system, as I have learned as to how it works, is kind of messed up. I never got to adjust to succeeding in it, but I did so much outside of school that allowed me to succeed.

I'm assuming USNA will look at a school profile.
 
time2 said:
SA's understand there are all kinds of h.s. across the country. If you perform well on standardized tests like ACT/SAT, the age or financial situation of your school won't matter to them. IF you at/near the top of your class AND perform poorly on ACT/SAT's, then it could indicate as issue with the quality of the education which WILL matter to SA's.
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Good point, time2
 
I always say if your school is not competitive or offer honors or APs, look to take few classes at community college, go learn a new language, find something to challenge yourself?? You can't change school but there are options:)
 
JustAdNauseam said:
Hi, I'm not sure if there's already a fitting answer out there for my question as I can't seem to find it myself. Please redirect me if there is. :help:

In my circumstance, I go to a high school that isn't exactly the best. It struggled to achieve AYP for a couple of years, is underfunded, and was built in the 1930's.

As of last year, my sophomore year, I ranked 5/146 students in my grade, in a fairly low population school (900-1000). I also had a 4.0+ GPA. Language elective classes were not provided until 9th grade, and no AP classes (of which there are few) are available until 11th grade. And only one, AP US History, was available. So I took it. Currently, my grades all exceed 4.0 each quarter. I can rattle off a spiel of all my clubs, varsity sports, yadda yadda, but I'm not here to ask you a "what my chances are" question.

What I really want to know, is how the USNA or any other service academy looks at it. Sure, I may be in the top 1% in my grade, but if you take into account just how small my school is, its demographics and performance, does that really mean too much? And how does that affect my chances?

edit* removed specifics.
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Also we are from PA 40mins outside Phila. My son got appointment to USMA & USNA;) don't worry to much about competition bec. after all you are only competing with kids in your district, study hard get all A's:)
 
Blessedmom said:
Also we are from PA 40mins outside Phila. My son got appointment to USMA & USNA;) don't worry to much about competition bec. after all you are only competing with kids in your district, study hard get all A's:)
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Your grades look super! If you want to go above and beyond, maybe look at a community college dual credit in the summer or an online class to supplement your achievements. Going the extra mile, no matter where you end up, will always be to your benefit! Good luck and do not worry about what you cannot change.
 
Blessedmom said:
I always say if your school is not competitive or offer honors or APs, look to take few classes at community college, go learn a new language, find something to challenge yourself?? You can't change school but there are options:)
Click to expand...

Great advice and right on point. I would add, if you go the community college courses route, ensure you take a course or courses you are interested in and courses which may bring added value to one of the SAs. Be methodical, deliberate, and take your time in course selection, just one perspective.
 
I read the post only after it was edited, its a good question to ask.
I would make sure that you really study and prepare yourself for ACT/SAT. You sound like a good candidate regardless of your school. The key is that you made the best of what you were offered and you have obviously excelled there. I do not think you need to look elsewhere or take classes out of your school. The key is to get good scores on those national tests and you will be competitive!! Good luck!!
 
Thank you all for your replies, it's cleared up quite a few things (and given me a few more questions for later). Also, outside of my school curriculum I am already taking online supplementary courses and was signed up for a college class before that. I will do my best on my upcoming SAT in March. Thank you again for the support/answers. :)
 
JustAdNauseam said:
I will do my best on my upcoming SAT in March. Thank you again for the support/answers. :)
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images
 
[QUOTE="JustAdNauseam "
As of last year, my sophomore year,"...

So you're looking at spring, junior year. Time to get serious. You might look at the USNA website in depth. Lots of good reading including the full catalog, referred to as the Viewbook, IIRC. Summer seminar might be a possibility. The application alone will get you in the system.

I read this thread after your edits, good for you. I can say that I was appointed from a PA school located between State College and Williamsport, long since closed. Do your best and have a plan B and C for college and service. No worries about your school.

Good luck!
 
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