Freshman Resume HS- '23 - Help me find the weak spots in my resume

strictlyws

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Joined
Jun 27, 2020
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This is so cool - what the heck?! Anyways I have became fascinated with the academies over quarantine! I put together a resume and I was hoping you guys could point out strengths/weakness's

Academic:

Freshman:
4.0 GPA (my school doesn't do weighted)
Took 2 (math, language) /3 (english) honors courses ( My goal is to be accepted into the accelerated english class by junior year)
Aluminums of Duke TiP - (very hard to explain look it up)
Scholarship recipient for the top 10 kids entering there freshman year
Part of the debate team
Honor Roll all year
An award for a 3.9 GPA and above recipient
Sophomore:
Planning on taking 3 honors classes next year and an AP class along with Adv. Debate
Also, Planning on being a tutor at my school

Physical:

Freshman:
Played Freshman Football
Played JV lacrosse (for like 10 days)
Played(ing) on a club lax team for the past 4 years

Sophomore:
Running xcc (in very good shape for it _ lettering maybe?!)
Playing lacrosse (possibly varsity)

Leadership/EC's:

Freshman:
Freshman Class Council member
Debate team member
Spanish Club member

Sophomore: (These are all confirmed by the way)
ASB representative
Sophomore Class Council
Book club member
Part of my cities youth leadership class
Starting a club for homeless people and hygiene
I have volunteered for 50+ hours so far.



Thank you all for reading this!!! Please don't be afraid to give me critiques! I have multitudes of questions so please respond - thanks!
 
This is so cool - what the heck?! Anyways I have became fascinated with the academies over quarantine! I put together a resume and I was hoping you guys could point out strengths/weakness's

Academic:

Freshman:
4.0 GPA (my school doesn't do weighted)
Took 2 (math, language) /3 (english) honors courses ( My goal is to be accepted into the accelerated english class by junior year)
Aluminums of Duke TiP - (very hard to explain look it up)
Scholarship recipient for the top 10 kids entering there freshman year
Part of the debate team
Honor Roll all year
An award for a 3.9 GPA and above recipient
Sophomore:
Planning on taking 3 honors classes next year and an AP class along with Adv. Debate
Also, Planning on being a tutor at my school

Physical:

Freshman:
Played Freshman Football
Played JV lacrosse (for like 10 days)
Played(ing) on a club lax team for the past 4 years

Sophomore:
Running xcc (in very good shape for it _ lettering maybe?!)
Playing lacrosse (possibly varsity)

Leadership/EC's:

Freshman:
Freshman Class Council member
Debate team member
Spanish Club member

Sophomore: (These are all confirmed by the way)
ASB representative
Sophomore Class Council
Book club member
Part of my cities youth leadership class
Starting a club for homeless people and hygiene
I have volunteered for 50+ hours so far.



Thank you all for reading this!!! Please don't be afraid to give me critiques! I have multitudes of questions so please respond - thanks!

Hello. If I read correctly you’re going to be a sophomore next year also? I am also the class of 2023 (hs), so I figured I would respond to you as I also have a huge interest in the naval academy. What I’ve read and gathered so far from this forum as well as USNA’s official website is that it’s great you’e starting early, so just keep pushing yourself academically, athletically, and shooting for leadership oppourtunities along the way, which it seems you have already started to do! I don’t have a whole lot of advice per say or anything else to comment on as I am sure there are a lot more experienced and knowledgeable people on this forum who can offer you more constructive feedback, but it seems you’re off to a good start.

Edit: I just finished reading the post “What are my chances” which offers a bunch of answers to frequently asked questions, so definitely check that out. It’s stickied/pinned at the top of the USNA forum.
 
Lots of good people here. Lots of experience. Also lots of advice. Remember this is NOT USNA official info so take it as advice.

Find ways to lead and make a difference. Keep working on taking the hardest classes and do well. And tend to your physical fitness. It’s good you are looking early!

Check out class portraits. That will give you an idea of where you stand. Practice and take standardized tests early to see where you need improvement (USNA superscores).

At this early stage of the process, I always recommend making sure you work on relationships at school with educators/stafff/admin’s....make sure you are a person they want to recommend/evaluate. And if you haven’t done so already, touch base with your counselor and let them know your plans. So they can help guide you with academic decisions.

Good luck to you!!
 
You are at the right time to begin serious research.

If you haven’t read every page, link and menu item on your sa.edu of choice sites, taking notes and starting to build out an extended timeline of action items and long-term due dates, now is a great time. That is your primary source, and most answers are there.

Do the same kind of research into alternative paths to commissioning, such as ROTC and related scholarships. That is a prudent thing to do, and shows no lack of commitment to an SA. Additionally, a college ROTC unit is another nomination source. There will be thousands of candidates building HS resumes with similar stats, plus college re-applicants; leave no opportunity unexplored.

Take this time to research all five of the Federal service academies, and subsequent career paths, so you can make an informed decision about ruling them in or out. It’s very important to look past the interim waystation of 4 SA or college ROTC years to see if there are at least a good handful of career paths you could see yourself doing for a minimum of 5-6 years AD.

Go to your elected officials’ websites (2 Sen, 1 Rep), read and take notes on their service academy nomination process. They can choose submission deadlines, interviews or not, panel interviews, any method they want. If they are having a F2F or virtual info session, sign up and soak it in, so you are well-prepared for your cycle. Stay current with that site, in case the elected official changes

Go to the DoDMERB site, the entity which does the physical qualification of candidates. Explore each menu item on the left. This often turns into one of the most frustrating and time-using aspects of the process. Get smart on it now so you won’t be surprised.

Here on SAF, read the Stickies at the top of the Nominations and DoDMERB forums. There is also The Acronym List on the Home page if you haven’t found it yet.

There is a Search function tool inside SAF, and google works well when you include “site:serviceacademyforums.com” in the string. The same questions come up every year.

Finally, stay flexible and open to the paths that open before you. You have a good foundation. The key is to show sustained performance, personal growth and achievement in a well-rounded person.
 
Thanks for the advice - I am going to start right now! Do you know how selective the college rotc nomination source is?
 
Thanks for the advice - I am going to start right now! Do you know how selective the college rotc nomination source is?
I am not sure what you mean by “selective” in this context.

USNA, for example, is allowed to charge up to 20 appointments in a class to the college ROTC/HS JROTC honor unit source. You’ll find out as you do your research you are encouraged to apply for every nom source for which you are eligible. This gives the SAs the most flexibility.

For some in-depth pro reading, dive into:
 
Thank you for this pdf - I am going to look over it tonight. Do you know if an early application is more "respected" or should I wait later in the year and build up my resume?
 
Thank you for this pdf - I am going to look over it tonight. Do you know if an early application is more "respected" or should I wait later in the year and build up my resume?
As you continue browsing here on SAF, you might notice a popular piece of advice is “submit your best application early as possible,” which will vary across the candidate pool.

I can’t quite figure out where you are in HS - rising HS sophomore? If so, we are talking summer of 2023 for your portal to open, if I am thinking right. Devote this time to research, ensuring your academics, athletics, and ECs are all shaping up.
 
Also, next summer (when things hopefully will be more normal), consider applying for STEM at one or more SAs. It's not the same as Summer Seminar (for rising seniors) but is held at the SAs, run by mids/cadets and therefore lets you see a bit about the schools. It's a super-competitive program, but you won't get in if you don't apply. As a rising senior, try NASS or a similar program at one of the other SAs.
 
As you continue browsing here on SAF, you might notice a popular piece of advice is “submit your best application early as possible,” which will vary across the candidate pool.

I can’t quite figure out where you are in HS - rising HS sophomore? If so, we are talking summer of 2023 for your portal to open, if I am thinking right. Devote this time to research, ensuring your academics, athletics, and ECs are all shaping up.
Yes I am a rising sophomore!
 
It's good that you are starting young. I am currently in the application process for USAFA and am working on my essays for my MOCs. While I understand you haven't chosen a particular academy which you want to attend, just an FYI that USAFA takes an increased interest in how you did in your STEM courses. While I understand you are a freshman (sophomore now I guess), you want to get as much leadership on your plate. Try to become a captain of one or more sports teams. Personally, I am in Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout), drum major, and two-year fencing captain. The main things I would say that USAFA (or academies for that matter, I'm just a USAFA nut) are leaders, physically in shape (looking for the runner body), interested in community service, and team ideals (watch any video of cadre yelling at cadets/plebes, they often mention how you will not survive alone). Also, get an understanding of what you want to get out of it. Not only "I want to fly planes or drive a tank" and not just "serve my country". While these can be true, understand that that may be true for everyone. Find what appeals to you, and make sure it can pull you through literal hell. Something funny that I heard a drill sergeant (yes, at enlisted for boot camp, but it still applies and I'm gonna paraphrase) is: "You aren't in hell. Hell is fake, what you are going through is real." Obviously they aren't trying to crush whatever religious views you have, but understand that it is gonna suck and you either need to love the suck or love what you are going to get out of it. Sorry this went off-topic of your original question, but they are things I had to think about and I advise thinking about it now. Understand you are competing against 4.0 varsity football players who are eagle scouts and class president whose entire family is military. Never have the mindset of beating those in your school, they don't know what you are trying to prepare yourself for. Don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to what you need to be.
 
It's good that you are starting young. I am currently in the application process for USAFA and am working on my essays for my MOCs. While I understand you haven't chosen a particular academy which you want to attend, just an FYI that USAFA takes an increased interest in how you did in your STEM courses. While I understand you are a freshman (sophomore now I guess), you want to get as much leadership on your plate. Try to become a captain of one or more sports teams. Personally, I am in Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout), drum major, and two-year fencing captain. The main things I would say that USAFA (or academies for that matter, I'm just a USAFA nut) are leaders, physically in shape (looking for the runner body), interested in community service, and team ideals (watch any video of cadre yelling at cadets/plebes, they often mention how you will not survive alone). Also, get an understanding of what you want to get out of it. Not only "I want to fly planes or drive a tank" and not just "serve my country". While these can be true, understand that that may be true for everyone. Find what appeals to you, and make sure it can pull you through literal hell. Something funny that I heard a drill sergeant (yes, at enlisted for boot camp, but it still applies and I'm gonna paraphrase) is: "You aren't in hell. Hell is fake, what you are going through is real." Obviously they aren't trying to crush whatever religious views you have, but understand that it is gonna suck and you either need to love the suck or love what you are going to get out of it. Sorry this went off-topic of your original question, but they are things I had to think about and I advise thinking about it now. Understand you are competing against 4.0 varsity football players who are eagle scouts and class president whose entire family is military. Never have the mindset of beating those in your school, they don't know what you are trying to prepare yourself for. Don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to what you need to be.
Yes for sure, I am trying to become my lacrosse team captain. I am mostly interested in usna - I do believe I am in good shape because I am training for xcc - Do you know if stem classes are higher value then say an English class? Thanks for the help!
 
Yes for sure, I am trying to become my lacrosse team captain. I am mostly interested in usna - I do believe I am in good shape because I am training for xcc - Do you know if stem classes are higher value then say an English class? Thanks for the help!

The advice about doing the research on USNA.edu, the primary site? That’s where you will find all this. The goal is strong performance in a variety of courses of interest to USNA.

The reason I emphasize “primary source,” is that it is your authoritative reference and official go-to. This is an anonymous Internet forum, where the advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. It is good for providing insights, personal anecdotes and pushes in the right direction. If you put in the work and time at the primary sources, you’ll be conversant in the basics.

Any question, if you are truly stumped, though, is welcome here.
 
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The advice about doing the research on USNA.edu, the primary site? That’s where you will find all this. The goal is strong performance in a variety of courses of interest to USNA.

The reason I emphasize “primary source,” is that it is your authoritative reference and official go-to. This is an anonymous Internet forum, where the advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. It is good for providing insights, personal anecdotes and pushes in the right direction. If you put in the work and time at the primary sources, you’ll be conversant in the basics.

Any question, if you are truly stumped, though, is welcome here.
I agree with this. While many people on here may provide great advice, we are not the military (at least most of us aren't, you may get lucky and find some people who are active). Also, understand there is no such thing as a golden ticket or guaranteed yes to any academy no matter what.
 
The advice about doing the research on USNA.edu, the primary site? That’s where you will find all this. The goal is strong performance in a variety of courses of interest to USNA.

The reason I emphasize “primary source,” is that it is your authoritative reference and official go-to. This is an anonymous Internet forum, where the advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. It is good for providing insights, personal anecdotes and pushes in the right direction. If you put in the work and time at the primary sources, you’ll be conversant in the basics.

Any question, if you are truly stumped, though, is welcome here.
Okay awesome - Just finished reading the PDF - very Interesting about how 50% of those who meet qualifications get accepted into the naval academy!
 
Okay awesome - Just finished reading the PDF - very Interesting about how 50% of those who meet qualifications get accepted into the naval academy!

A footnote reader!

The key element is “those who meet qualifications.” That final pool of candidates, winnowed from thousands, will be triple-qualified plus a nomination, or 3Q + nom.

3Q
Medically. Found Q by DoDMERB, or, granted waiver(s) for any DQ by the waiver granting authority for the service. This can be harder than it would seem.
(You’ll run into this during your research at USNA.edu and the DoDMERB website.) Every year, eye-wateringly stellar applicants are derailed by unwaiverable DQs.

Physically. Passed the CFA with a score deemed passable.

Scholastically. This is the omnibus that rolls up everything else, test scores, courses taken, GPA, honors, achievements, leadership activities, etc.

This is only a rough unofficial division of application elements. USNA does not publish its whole candidate formula for scoring/weighting, nor are candidates typically informed of whether they are 3Q or not.

Plus at least 1 nomination. This can also be a challenge. If you are limited in eligibility to elected official noms, and IF there is a policy of collaboration among the 3 officials that they will not duplicate noms so they can “spread the wealth,” you might end up with a nom to an SA you ranked below others, or to an SA you haven’t applied to. No nom of any kind, no appointment. Some few are rescued from this dilemma by the few VP noms that exist (apply via USNA), and the small handful of Superintendent’s discretionary noms (can’t apply for those).

Don’t worry about any of this now. This process has many times been called a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on your research, build out your strategic plan and tactical steps, but also enjoy your summer and your remaining HS years. You will never have that time back, so be present in the here and now and try to balance your life.
 
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A footnote reader!

The key element is “those who meet qualifications.” That final pool of candidates, winnowed from thousands, will be triple-qualified plus a nomination, or 3Q + nom.

3Q
Medically. Found Q by DoDMERB, or, granted waiver(s) for any DQ by the waiver granting authority for the service. This can be harder than it would seem.
(You’ll run into this during your research at USNA.edu and the DoDMERB website.) Every year, eye-wateringly stellar applicants are derailed by unwaiverable DQs.

Physically. Passed the CFA with a score deemed passable.

Scholastically. This is the omnibus that rolls up everything else, test scores, courses taken, GPA, honors, achievements, leadership activities, etc.

This is only a rough unofficial division of application elements. USNA does not publish its whole candidate formula for scoring/weighting, nor are candidates typically informed of whether they are 3Q or not.

Plus at least 1 nomination. This can also be a challenge. If you are limited in eligibility to elected official noms, and IF there is a policy of collaboration among the 3 officials that they will not duplicate noms so they can “spread the wealth,” you might end up with a nom to an SA you ranked below others, or to an SA you haven’t applied to. No nom of any kind, no appointment. Some few are rescued from this dilemma by the few VP noms that exist (apply via USNA), and the small handful of Superintendent’s discretionary noms (can’t apply for those).

Don’t worry about any of this now. This process has many times been called a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on your research, build out your strategic plan and tactical steps, but also enjoy your summer and your remaining HS years. You will never have that time back, so be present in the here and now and try to balance your life.
Thank you for that! I got very worked up about this during quarantine but now Im'm just going to take a step back and hang out with some friends this week!
 
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