Help please.

TheNaterrater

5-Year Member
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May 30, 2012
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57
Hello, I am currently a junior in high school who is interested in attending either the usma or usna. I have a 3.9 (97.3) gpa with a 26 on the ACT (which I plan to raise). I am involved in a rather rigorous curriculum at school and have received numerous awards for athletics. Newcomer of the year in basketball, 1st team all district 3rd base in baseball, multiple regional track appearances, a regional championship in cross country, top 20 in the state in cross country. I am basketball co captain, the vice president of my class, and the vice president of national Honor's society. I also plan to excel in athletics this year.
That is a small amount of info about me. Do I sound like a contender for a spot at one of the academies? Thank you for your time.
 
In The Right Direction....

In my opinion, I think you have the right direction. Take a look at both USNA and USMA admission web site. Look at the class profiles see where you are, also, look at Summer Seminar programs at both schools. This is a great way to visit. And take a look at Boys State, plan on attending. Sign up will open up in the next few months.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Like was said above, apply to Summer Seminar at both academies and apply to Boys State. Focus on improving your ACT score and also try the SAT, you may do better on it. It is common for candidates to do much better on one test than the other. Your GPA is good, but USMA and USNA will look at your class rank more than your GPA. Find out your class rank and strive to move up as much as you can. Academics is the major part of your file, so strive to improve as much as you can in that area. Your activities, leadership positions, and athletics look very good. Start preparing now for the CFA. Good luck!
 
Hi Naterater! In my opinion, you look just the scholar-athlete-leader the Academy hopes to identify. As you are just a junior, I strongly encourage you to take both the SAT and ACT multiple times. I took each one twice. Admissions will "superscore" -- cherry picking your very best math and English score from any sitting.

Don't focus on your ACT composite score of 26 (just an average of your math, english, science, reading and writing). The stand alone math and and english scores are the ones that really count.

Keep in mind that your math score will be a whopping 30% or more of you overall candidate score. If math is your strong suit, you're in great shape. If not, face the weakness and bust your butt to improve. You English score is only about 12% of your overall candidate score.

Admissions considers your class rank to be a better indicator of your academic performance than your GPA. There is too much variation around the nation with regard to GPA, but if you're #3 out of 300, there's no doubt you're a great student. Class rank is at least 20% of you candidate score.

Lastly, take the toughest science and math classes you can. If you can squeeze in physics, chemistry and calculus (preferably AP, IB or Honors) do it!

Good luck!
 
Thank you all for your input. I will continue to strive for this goal. One more question though. If I apply to each academy's summer seminar and boy's state, should I try to attend all three? It seems that the boy's state and the summer leadership programs may interfere. Also, is my info as a junior appealing enough to compete for a spot in these summer events? Thank you.
 
Also, as far as class rank goes, I would be right at top 15%. ACT- English was a 27 and math was a 25. However I have never taken trig and the subscores show that trig really lowered my score. I will have trig next semester though.
 
You Can Do IT!

You may have to juggle your schedule, but it can be done. There is a box to check on your application for Boys State that shows leadership. You can open your application early when you attend SLS programs. You'll also be able to take the CFA test during those weeks. There are a lot of advantages.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Thank you all for your input. I will continue to strive for this goal. One more question though. If I apply to each academy's summer seminar and boy's state, should I try to attend all three? It seems that the boy's state and the summer leadership programs may interfere. Also, is my info as a junior appealing enough to compete for a spot in these summer events? Thank you.

If there is a conflict and you have to choose, choose Boy's State. There will be other opportunities to visit the Academies and having gone to Boy's State will improve your application.
 
Really? I figured that the sls would look good as well as open your preliminary application.
 
As said, Boys State will improve your application while SLS is a marketing tool for USMA to expose/sell the Academy to perspective candidates. Hopefully you can go to both but go with Boys State if you must choose.
 
As said, Boys State will improve your application while SLS is a marketing tool for USMA to expose/sell the Academy to perspective candidates. Hopefully you can go to both but go with Boys State if you must choose.

Agree
 
Boys' State is valued by other colleges and universities as well. This is a good extracurricular activity to have on your resume for your backup schools.
 
I don't know a thing about Boys State, but do know that my son attended West Point's SLS and it was a fantastic experience. It helped him determine that a service academy was what he wants to do. They spent a lot of time during the week giving them advice on making their applications stronger and he has been in contact with his West Point leader for advice (I can't remember the proper terminology!). He was also accepted to the Naval Academy camp and for scheduling reasons he did not attend. In retrospect, I wish we had made both of the camps work as I think they do give you a good flavor of what life at the Academy will be like.
 
This is my only problem. Although it seems that Boys State will look better, im not sure of a better time or opportunity to really develop a taste for academy life. Sure i could visit the academy, but when could i see firsthand what it was like besides the sls programs?
 
This is my only problem. Although it seems that Boys State will look better, im not sure of a better time or opportunity to really develop a taste for academy life. Sure i could visit the academy, but when could i see firsthand what it was like besides the sls programs?

You can arrange a weekday visit through West Point Admissions and you will be able to spend time with a cadet escort. If you are a strong candidate with an open application to the Academy, USMA may also send you a Letter of Encouragement (LOE) which will grant you an overnight visit and allow you to see what cadet life is like. See this link for info on visiting West Point: http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/Visit.aspx

As was stated before, Boys State will be more valuable on your application than SLS. It is a very good leadership program that will also serve you well in applications to other colleges. From what I have read on this forum, it is a very good experience and I regret that I did not attend Girls State, the same program for females. Good luck!
 
Definitely go for an overnight. Summer Seminar isn't that important; it really shows you nothing of what the Academy is like on a day-to-day basis.
 
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