Do I have a decent chance of acceptance?

[Karsten Murphy]

Good afternoon,
I am currently 15 years old and I am in my junior year of high school (I skipped 6th and 8th grade). The following are my stats:
4.0 GPA-
1400 SAT
Civil Air Patrol squadron commander
Coast Guard Auxiliary member
35 hours of community service
I received an award for disaster relief efforts
I organized a monthly trash pick-up after a car show which raised several thousand dollars for my squadron
I organized for my squadron to do color guard at a Veterans Day parade and lay wreaths + fundraise at wreaths across America
I've set up recruiting presentations at several schools
I have 400 hours of flight experience
I'm in 3 clubs
I'm in intramural volleyball. Unfortunately, my school doesn't have varsity sports, which I'm assuming admissions will hold against me.
One more thing, I'm going to have calc 1 and 2 completed by the time I apply.

Is this a competitive application? From what people have told me it isn't. I am extremely motivated to serve and this is my number 1 pick school. I will also be applying to the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy which isn't as competitive?

 

[Northwoods]

I feel like you've been here before asking the same question. Maybe that was someone else.

Regardless, first things first. Change your user name to something not your real name. That's actually a rule on this forum.

Second, you must be at least 17 at the end of June the year you'd start swab summer. So, at a minimum you'll have to do something else for a year after you graduate high school (unless your birthday is between now and the end of june).

Third, assuming you are old enough, all academies evaluate students on a combination of academics (you seem decent there), athletics (weak from what you listed) and leadership (looks good at a glance). 50ish percent of new cadets each cycle are recruited athletes. If you want to strengthen your application I'd focus on that.

 

[Academician]

Yes, you are competitive. Nice work! One question for you (as I had a student a similar situation): will you be 17 years old by the last Monday in June, 2025? I see @Northwoods noted a few other points too ... so I agree that you need to find a sport and start preparing to do very well on the PFE and CFA. No reason to wait, including as I advise my students, to start a strong running routine. I'm sure others will add some more advice too.

 

[27BearDad]

I doubt anyone's opinion of your competitiveness has changed since you started asking in February! You're on the right track. Get involved in some club or rec sports. I think you previously mentioned swimming? Do that!

Other than that, keep doing what you're doing and don't stress yourself out over this. Try to enjoy being a 15 year old!! It's great to be motivated, but you won't get these years back!

 

[Karsten Murphy]

Yes, you are competitive. Nice work! One question for you (as I had a student a similar situation): will you be 17 years old by the last Monday in June, 2025? I see @Northwoods noted a few other points too ... so I agree that you need to find a sport and start preparing to do very well on the PFE and CFA. No reason to wait, including as I advise my students, to start a strong running routine. I'm sure others will add some more advice too.

Yes, I will be 17 by the time swab summer starts. I am very strong physically with a good routine. I can run a 6-minute mile, do 100 sit-ups, and 40 pushups which I am working on.

 

[Karsten Murphy]

I feel like you've been here before asking the same question. Maybe that was someone else.

Regardless, first things first. Change your user name to something not your real name. That's actually a rule on this forum.

Second, you must be at least 17 at the end of June the year you'd start swab summer. So, at a minimum you'll have to do something else for a year after you graduate high school (unless your birthday is between now and the end of june).

Third, assuming you are old enough, all academies evaluate students on a combination of academics (you seem decent there), athletics (weak from what you listed) and leadership (looks good at a glance). 50ish percent of new cadets each cycle are recruited athletes. If you want to strengthen your application I'd focus on that.

I will change my username. Thank you for telling me about that rule. I will be 17 by the time swab summer starts. I will take classes at a local community college during my gap year. I'm going to start at a swim team soon so hopefully that makes my athletics portion stronger.

 

[Northwoods]

A 6 minute for 1 mile will be a little over 9 minutes for 1.5 miles (you usually can't quite hold a given pace over that longer distance). That's still a really good time, around 90 points on the PFE.

Make sure you're doing the sit ups correctly. If you're doing 100, correctly, in 2 minutes that's a perfect score on that part of the PFE.

Push ups are average. Assuming those are cadence push-ups done correctly. That's your best place to pick up points on the PFE.

All that said, the PFE isn't the measure of athleticism for the academy. It's just a measure of overall physical fitness (and a good proxy for risk of injury during swab summer). Athleticism is demonstrated by participation in athletic sports. Intramural level school volleyball and swimming on your own are fine. But, since there arent varsity sport options at your high school, you should be looking for competitive organized clubs for swimming, running, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, wrestling, etc that you can join and get recorded performances.

 

[Northwoods]

I will change my username. Thank you for telling me about that rule. I will be 17 by the time swab summer starts. I will take classes at a local community college during my gap year. I'm going to start at a swim team soon so hopefully that makes my athletics portion stronger.

You posted that while I was typing my other response. Swim team is great! Unless it's year round you'll want to find 1-2 other sports as well.

At my local high school kids that do separate fall, winter and spring sports get a "Triple Threat" award. DS will be list 4 years of those when he applies (well, 3 awards, plus his fall sport, and plans for winter and spring).

 

[Karsten Murphy]

Yes, you are competitive. Nice work! One question for you (as I had a student a similar situation): will you be 17 years old by the last Monday in June, 2025? I see @Northwoods noted a few other points too ... so I agree that you need to find a sport and start preparing to do very well on the PFE and CFA. No reason to wait, including as I advise my students, to start a strong running routine. I'm sure others will add some more advice too.

I'm looking to start another program where I can demonstrate leadership. Are there any widespread programs you would recommend that I could try?

 

[Karsten Murphy]

You posted that while I was typing my other response. Swim team is great! Unless it's year round you'll want to find 1-2 other sports as well.

At my local high school kids that do separate fall, winter and spring sports get a "Triple Threat" award. DS will be list 4 years of those when he applies (well, 3 awards, plus his fall sport, and plans for winter and spring).

I'm looking to start another program where I can demonstrate leadership. Are there any widespread programs you would recommend that I could try?

 

[Northwoods]

I'm looking to start another program where I can demonstrate leadership. Are there any widespread programs you would recommend that I could try?

I think you're good on leadership with CAP and CGAux, plus the other stuff you listed.

I'd really focus on athletics if i were you. 2 or 3 sports you have have some good skills in will be very important. Bumping up your SAT won't hurt, 1400 is good enough, but a 1450 is better.

 

[Iblameej]

I'm looking to start another program where I can demonstrate leadership. Are there any widespread programs you would recommend that I could try?

My son will be in next years class. He volunteered over 200 hours at a Title 1 school (economically disadvantaged demographics) starting with after school events and going in early mornings bc his school started later. He also organized toiletry and snack drives for the school through his service organization.

 

[Iblameej]

I'm looking to start another program where I can demonstrate leadership. Are there any widespread programs you would recommend that I could try?

He had over 400 volunteer hours in his community, along with many other things. But community service was an easy one to fit in and was flexible.

 

[yankeecowboy]

Good afternoon,
I am currently 15 years old and I am in my junior year of high school (I skipped 6th and 8th grade). The following are my stats:
4.0 GPA-
1400 SAT
Civil Air Patrol squadron commander
Coast Guard Auxiliary member
35 hours of community service
I received an award for disaster relief efforts
I organized a monthly trash pick-up after a car show which raised several thousand dollars for my squadron
I organized for my squadron to do color guard at a Veterans Day parade and lay wreaths + fundraise at wreaths across America
I've set up recruiting presentations at several schools
I have 400 hours of flight experience
I'm in 3 clubs
I'm in intramural volleyball. Unfortunately, my school doesn't have varsity sports, which I'm assuming admissions will hold against me.
One more thing, I'm going to have calc 1 and 2 completed by the time I apply.

Is this a competitive application? From what people have told me it isn't. I am extremely motivated to serve and this is my number 1 pick school. I will also be applying to the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy which isn't as competitive?

I assume you're a sea scout based on the Auxiliary membership under 17, I'd try to get your Quartermaster rank finished before applying!

 

[Academician]

I'm looking to start another program where I can demonstrate leadership. Are there any widespread programs you would recommend that I could try?

I would recommend to continue 'leaning' into CAP. Organize and run encampments, earn your Mitchell Award (or higher), and find ways to make your squadron 'better and stronger.' CGA may also provide some opportunities too. The Academies are impressed with quality (not quantity) of participation and the ability to engage. It appears that you are doing that so keep up the nice work.

 

[CGA17]

Great work! Take time this summer to start thinking about why you HAVE to be at CGA...and ID some folks to help write (edit, edit, edit) your essays...