Help? (Long)

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pknguyen44

USNA '13, NAPS '09
10-Year Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
199
Hey all, I'm currently applying to USAFA and waiting on word if I was nominated by my Senator. I recieved a nomination to USNA but USAFA is my first choice. Unfortunately, I didn't recieve an appointment last year to neither prep or the academy. This year, I went to college and took classes that a prep school cadet would take (Chemistry, Algebra, History, Chemistry Lab, English). I'm actually doing very well earning a 3.3 GPA. When I applied, it didn't ask for my college GPA or anything like extracurricular activities, which I was very much involved. I entered my high school records which weren't so great and my ACT's which weren't academy competitive neither. Again, I'm looking at a not competitive status. When I send in my college transcripts, you think I'll get myself back in the running? What else would I have to do? Thanks!
 
College transcripts will get you back in the running. HOWEVER, seeing algebra is concerning, that should be Calculus (unless that's a typo). That could be a large factor to be honest.
 
hey hornetguy! ur a helpful guy..'preciate it..i actually talked to an academy grad before i entered college and she said that a strong background in algebra would be a lot better for me..and i'm taking trig next semester..and she said those would be good too..so u think i should take the ACT's again?
 
pknguyen44 said:
hey hornetguy! ur a helpful guy..'preciate it..i actually talked to an academy grad before i entered college and she said that a strong background in algebra would be a lot better for me..and i'm taking trig next semester..and she said those would be good too..so u think i should take the ACT's again?
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I think you should talk to the admissions office instead of random students and graduates. Did you get a debrief last year on why you did not get accepted? Don't think you got good advice on taking algebra and trig in lieu of calculus.
 
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She actually was like a ALO for a brief time..but im just actually looking for opinions since my ALO hasn't called me back or anything so far..but i'll get in contact soon with the admissions office thanks..
 
pk, I shuttered a little over the whole algebra advice. Kinda more like someone raking their finger nails down a chalkboard actually.... Is there any way for you to get into Calc next semester instead of Trig? I'll be honest with you here. My kid went into KP with only Trig under his belt. I thought Calc would kill him. He pulled out ok but he will tell you in a heartbeat that you need to go in with a good grasp of it. I beg you to reconsider.
 
By being a repeat, you have placed yourself in a different category than the candidate coming directly out of high school. You applied last year. They turned you down. Something was wrong. If you did not get a debrief and find out, assume everything. Probably academics is a good assumption. To walk across the threshold on I-Day, they want to be pretty darned sure you can do Calculus. You stated that you had looked at the prep school curriculum. Does it stress algebra and trig? Most repeats are a little behind the power curve when it comes to academics so by insisting on prep schools and repeats having calc, it is a slight insurance policy.

And darn it, listen to what I told you above. Don't listen to me and jamz. Pick up the phone and call Admissions and talk to your rep directly. You, by being a repeat, are in a more unique situation. You need to find out what works for you specifically.
 
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While USNA69's advice is best, really think about finding ways to at least supplement your math with some sort of Calculus. I always thought pre-calc included trig (way it is where I am from) so that's interesting to me. The Calculus courses here have horrible textbooks and I can't even help the freshmen understand most of it because it is so foreign to me what they're learning!
 
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