Does the Academy look for improvement in your transcript or do they just look at the cumulative?

M

Max.Vivar

New Member
Joined
May 2, 2016
Messages
4
Hi,
I was wondering if the Academy looks at your transcript as a whole or if they just look at the cumulative average. I had an 86 average Freshman year and I raised it 5 points to a 91 in Sophomore year. (I am currently a Junior, taking SAT in April)

Also: How much does the GPA factor into the application?
And: Should I be taking more extracurriculars?
- Varsity Wrestling Captain
- National Honor Society
-Model UN
-Christian Club
-Sports Debate Club
-Swimming (non-scholastic club team) during Spring season

Thank you.
 
It's always good to show improvement. You are a Junior so the process begins in January. Take stock of yourself; where are you weak, strong, etc. Have you taken the PSAT, how about the ACT? Some students do much better one one or the other. Does your library/community center/school offer test prep?
  • Meet with your guidance counselor, plan a course load for the next 1.5 years of HS w/ TEACHER SELECTION in courses that you need the best teacher in your school for you to succeed to maximize your education/GPA.
  • Is there someone in your school district who was accepted to a SA that you could reach out to?
  • Use the search function on this forum-'What are my chances?" Literally tons of info there.
  • buy the AFA book on how to get in etc.
  • plan your workouts for passing the CFA, You Tube for basketball throw, etc.
  • Since you joined in May, I am sure nothing I have said is breaking new ground
  • How about you doing some research & coming back to us with your detailed plan that we, the posters can tweak??
I kinda like the last bullet-come with a plan & I am sure many others will assist. Good luck!
 
I would really like to see a summer job there, or even better, some kind of daily or weekend job, and other than team captain, I think you may want to look into getting some leadership experience.

Where is your passion? What is your focus? What makes you stand out from your peers? Some introspection may help you , too, in figuring out where you belong in your future.

Keep up the good work!
 
A few suggestions:

1. Take some time and search "admission chances" on the site. You can peruse the threads and get a lot of great guidance and compare yourself to other candidates who have posted here in the past.

2. Go to USAFA's page and look at the median for past classes. For instance, for the Class of 2019 the median GPA was 3.8 and ACT score was around a 30. How do you compare to the median? Take the ACT and SAT as many times as possible to get a high score. My DS took it first as an 8th grader and continued to take the ACT through his junior year.

3. Work on strength and conditioning for the fitness test. It is never to early to practice.

4. Reach out to the ALO and MOC and let them know your interest. The early introductions allow you to separate yourself from a potentially bigger field.

5. Challenge yourself with a tough academic schedule. The Academy is tough. Most cadets in the Class of 2020 can tell you that being a top student in high school and challenging yourself does little to compare you for the course load and demands you will face as a fourth year cadet.

6. Consider applying for Summer Seminar as a junior. It is a great way to get a glimpse into Academy life.

Best of luck.
 
First of all, sorry for the late response-- I've been busy with schoolwork. Secondly, thank you for all of the replies. In response to Wishful, here is my plan:
Junior Year:
Course Load:
AP U.S. History
AP Physics AB
AP Calculus AB
Writing Elective
American Literature
Sports:
Varsity Wrestling (Plan on making it to the NYPHSAA State Tournament-good chance of doing it)
Swimming (Spring season- club team)
Clubs:
Model UN
Christian Seekers Club
Project Reachout (Community Service club)
Sports Debate Club
National Honor Society

Testing:
Taking the SAT in April at my school
ACT in April as well and June if needed
On practice tests without any prep I've scored a 1300 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT

Summer:
Over the summer I am going to be working at Frost Valley YMCA Camp (Catskills, NY) as a junior counselor in the adventure program (specialty in canoeing, rock climbing and backpacking)
Also during this time I will begin preparing for the CFA.

Senior Year:
Courses (Tentative):
AP Language and Composition
College Psychology (@ Baruch College- CUNY)
College Calculus (Baruch College)
AP Government
Unsure what my elective should be.

Thanks for reading this, any feedback is appreciated. Also: when is a good time to contact my ALO. (This is my junior year). Furthermore: if anyone knows about how competitive New York's 12th Congressional district is (Carolyn Maloney) that would be awesome.
 
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