Extra Curricular Activities to get into a Service Academy

Okay, everyone! Let's get this thread back on track. @Boeingaircraft787, I don't believe @MidCakePa's "check off mode" comment was directed at you. For those who have been on the Forums for a while, there have been countless people who try to plan their entire high school experience around getting to an Academy: I have to do these sports, these clubs, get this role, etc. People miss the forest and for the tree. The whole point of doing activities outside of school is to develop/enrich interests and to learn life skills. A lot of colleges can see the bottom of the proverbial lake with a mile wide/inch deep resume. So, doing a million things with an ulterior motive is wasting your time. Again, nobody is saying you are doing that.

Also, we are bunch of strangers on the internet who are just giving our best guess. You won't truly know if it's enough until Admissions comes back with a yes/no. If there was a "magic" formula, there'd be a bunch of people in the military with the exact same background. Diversity across multiple categories is how the military wins wars. Diversity of thought/perspective/experience is how we find the best answer to how to attack objectives.

A side note, but this is why I am not a personal fan of all the "chance me" posts. Nobody can give an answer outside of generics. However, I give them a free pass since I was once that candidate clinging to any sort of appraisal I could find.

@futuremidc/o2027 Congrats on the award! However, humility is a virtue necessary to be a good officer. I know you probably didn't mean to come across this way and you're wanting to offer advice, but your post came across as a "look at how awesome and qualified I am" post. NASS is a great program (I detailed it as a Firstie), but NASS isn't the Academy and it's there mostly as an exposure/recruiting tool. Saying you need to get into NASS to demonstrate leadership is misguided. Cheering people on and being mentally tough means you're a good teammate. Sure, there is some leadership value in being an exemplary teammate, but it doesn't say a whole lot on how one can execute in positional authority. NASS evaluations aren't a whole piece of the pie either. They might shed some additional light on candidates Admissions is on the fence about. But considering the fact that those who attended NASS are in the minority compared to the wider applicant pool, NASS attendance is most likely just a item of note.
 
Usnavy2019 said:
Okay, everyone! Let's get this thread back on track. @Boeingaircraft787, I don't believe @MidCakePa's "check off mode" comment was directed at you. For those who have been on the Forums for a while, there have been countless people who try to plan their entire high school experience around getting to an Academy: I have to do these sports, these clubs, get this role, etc. People miss the forest and for the tree. The whole point of doing activities outside of school is to develop/enrich interests and to learn life skills. A lot of colleges can see the bottom of the proverbial lake with a mile wide/inch deep resume. So, doing a million things with an ulterior motive is wasting your time. Again, nobody is saying you are doing that.

Also, we are bunch of strangers on the internet who are just giving our best guess. You won't truly know if it's enough until Admissions comes back with a yes/no. If there was a "magic" formula, there'd be a bunch of people in the military with the exact same background. Diversity across multiple categories is how the military wins wars. Diversity of thought/perspective/experience is how we find the best answer to how to attack objectives.

A side note, but this is why I am not a personal fan of all the "chance me" posts. Nobody can give an answer outside of generics. However, I give them a free pass since I was once that candidate clinging to any sort of appraisal I could find.

@futuremidc/o2027 Congrats on the award! However, humility is a virtue necessary to be a good officer. I know you probably didn't mean to come across this way and you're wanting to offer advice, but your post came across as a "look at how awesome and qualified I am" post. NASS is a great program (I detailed it as a Firstie), but NASS isn't the Academy and it's there mostly as an exposure/recruiting tool. Saying you need to get into NASS to demonstrate leadership is misguided. Cheering people on and being mentally tough means you're a good teammate. Sure, there is some leadership value in being an exemplary teammate, but it doesn't say a whole lot on how one can execute in positional authority. NASS evaluations aren't a whole piece of the pie either. They might shed some additional light on candidates Admissions is on the fence about. But considering the fact that those who attended NASS are in the minority compared to the wider applicant pool, NASS attendance is most likely just a item of note.
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Well said on all topics. Great coaching technique, direct, on point, kind and not “gotcha.”
 
Usnavy2019 said:
Okay, everyone! Let's get this thread back on track. @Boeingaircraft787, I don't believe @MidCakePa's "check off mode" comment was directed at you. For those who have been on the Forums for a while, there have been countless people who try to plan their entire high school experience around getting to an Academy: I have to do these sports, these clubs, get this role, etc. People miss the forest and for the tree. The whole point of doing activities outside of school is to develop/enrich interests and to learn life skills. A lot of colleges can see the bottom of the proverbial lake with a mile wide/inch deep resume. So, doing a million things with an ulterior motive is wasting your time. Again, nobody is saying you are doing that.

Also, we are bunch of strangers on the internet who are just giving our best guess. You won't truly know if it's enough until Admissions comes back with a yes/no. If there was a "magic" formula, there'd be a bunch of people in the military with the exact same background. Diversity across multiple categories is how the military wins wars. Diversity of thought/perspective/experience is how we find the best answer to how to attack objectives.

A side note, but this is why I am not a personal fan of all the "chance me" posts. Nobody can give an answer outside of generics. However, I give them a free pass since I was once that candidate clinging to any sort of appraisal I could find.

@futuremidc/o2027 Congrats on the award! However, humility is a virtue necessary to be a good officer. I know you probably didn't mean to come across this way and you're wanting to offer advice, but your post came across as a "look at how awesome and qualified I am" post. NASS is a great program (I detailed it as a Firstie), but NASS isn't the Academy and it's there mostly as an exposure/recruiting tool. Saying you need to get into NASS to demonstrate leadership is misguided. Cheering people on and being mentally tough means you're a good teammate. Sure, there is some leadership value in being an exemplary teammate, but it doesn't say a whole lot on how one can execute in positional authority. NASS evaluations aren't a whole piece of the pie either. They might shed some additional light on candidates Admissions is on the fence about. But considering the fact that those who attended NASS are in the minority compared to the wider applicant pool, NASS attendance is most likely just a item of note.
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Thank you. My initial comment was just showing all the things I due, some for fun, and not all are the things I will focus on next year. As I said earlier, the 4 main things, I will all have leadership opportunities, and I am sorry for saying this but that comment by MidCakePa seemed rude and uncalled for. If that was not your intent I am very sorry.
 
Boeingaircraft787 said:
Thank you. My initial comment was just showing all the things I due, some for fun, and not all are the things I will focus on next year. As I said earlier, the 4 main things, I will all have leadership opportunities, and I am sorry for saying this but that comment by MidCakePa seemed rude and uncalled for. If that was not your intent I am very sorry.
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If a book of truth and experience were to tell you to “look straight ahead, don’t look left or right, and keep your foot from evil” … you should take that instruction seriously with little or no emotion, because that instruction is there to save you from harm and pitfall, and help you along in your journey.
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Old Navy BGO said:
WOW ! Nothing like a lecture from Candidates.....
Nice response '19 !
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Agree. Had to erase my response a few times.

Both posters: perhaps your tone isn’t coming though as intended. But there is definitely a ‘tone’ coming through! Be aware of that. Good to know for interviewing purposes. And good luck to both of you!!

Also, BGO’s are a really good resource. Vs other candidates. We have had training officially through USNA admissions. Some have been at this a very long time. Use them!!
 
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