High School Junior

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greatscott

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Mar 5, 2024
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I’m currently a junior in high school and was wondering if my application (2029) is strong for now. I still have some work to do but I’ve been working toward USAFA through all of high school. If anyone could give me tips for my application it would be much appreciated. I am aware about my standardized testing scores. I am taking the ACT (twice) and SAT (three times) in the next few months.

Academics:
GPA: 4.32/3.92
PSAT: 1200
ACT: taking in April
Classes: 15 DE (so far, getting my AA in 2025 before I graduate), 3 AP, 12 honors
ASVAB: 95

Athletics:
Varsity Cross Country
Varsity Soccer (team captain)
Competitive Travel Club Soccer
Recreational Soccer

Extracurriculars:
Girls State
Aim High Flight Academy
USNA Summer Seminar
Internship with Congressman
National History Day Co-Chair
Class President
President of Turning Point USA
National Honor Society
1st Place VFW Voice of Democracy
Shift lead at part time job
Youth Leadership Pasco
EAA volunteer
Church youth camp counselor
Yearbook officer
Newspaper editor
Started student-body polls at school
Teen court
Dual Enrollment Ambassador
Harmonica National Anthem player for Little League baseball teams and high school sports
Five years Spanish
Photoshop, Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint Certified

Volunteer/work hours:
100/450
 
Academics. Athletics. Leadership. Those are the three cornerstones and you have a great balance. Do well on you ACT and SAT. USAFA superscores, so unless you get a 36/1600 the first time, take them again. CFA practice and take early. Good solid resume.
 
T-37IP said:
Academics. Athletics. Leadership. Those are the three cornerstones and you have a great balance. Do well on you ACT and SAT. USAFA superscores, so unless you get a 36/1600 the first time, take them again. CFA practice and take early. Good solid resume.
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How important would you say it is to go from a 35 on ACT to a 36 superscore? My hs junior son got a 34 first time, took it again and got a 35. According to counselors for selective universities (not service academies), the difference between a 35 and 36 isn't important enough to re-test. They suggest working on the other parts of the application (essays, volunteering, work, leadership). We told him to focus on the CFA and his volunteer projects, but he would re-test the ACT if he thought it would have a significant impact on a USAFA appointment.
 
Nytoga330 said:
How important would you say it is to go from a 35 on ACT to a 36 superscore? My hs junior son got a 34 first time, took it again and got a 35. According to counselors for selective universities (not service academies), the difference between a 35 and 36 isn't important enough to re-test. They suggest working on the other parts of the application (essays, volunteering, work, leadership). We told him to focus on the CFA and his volunteer projects, but he would re-test the ACT if he thought it would have a significant impact on a USAFA appointment.
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If you were to "score" your son on his leadership and athletics, would he get the same 35/36 score? If one element of the triad is lacking, I would focus on that to build the overall candidate picture (since he already has a very respectable academic leg). MHO
 
Nytoga330 said:
How important would you say it is to go from a 35 on ACT to a 36 superscore? My hs junior son got a 34 first time, took it again and got a 35. According to counselors for selective universities (not service academies), the difference between a 35 and 36 isn't important enough to re-test. They suggest working on the other parts of the application (essays, volunteering, work, leadership). We told him to focus on the CFA and his volunteer projects, but he would re-test the ACT if he thought it would have a significant impact on a USAFA appointment.
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35 is awesome. Volunteer hours count for zero. Leadership is what's important. Work on the CFA. Take it early once you know you will do well.
 
T-37IP said:
35 is awesome. Volunteer hours count for zero. Leadership is what's important. Work on the CFA. Take it early once you know you will do well.
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Thank you. I've always appreciated your posts.

His goal is to be ready for THE CFA this summer in case he's accepted to one of the summer seminars. The darn bball throw is slow to improve since his initial improvement early on!
 
Nytoga330 said:
How important would you say it is to go from a 35 on ACT to a 36 superscore? My hs junior son got a 34 first time, took it again and got a 35. According to counselors for selective universities (not service academies), the difference between a 35 and 36 isn't important enough to re-test. They suggest working on the other parts of the application (essays, volunteering, work, leadership). We told him to focus on the CFA and his volunteer projects, but he would re-test the ACT if he thought it would have a significant impact on a USAFA appointment.
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The counselors are right. Diminishing marginal returns for 35 vs 36. I wouldn’t keep trying on it and instead focus on improving other parts of your application. Someone with a 35 and good essays, ECs, leadership, etc vs someone with a 36 without any of that? The former is going to get accepted over the latter.
 
T-37IP said:
35 is awesome. Volunteer hours count for zero. Leadership is what's important. Work on the CFA. Take it early once you know you will do well.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say that volunteer hours count for zero. The hours themselves aren't as important as what the volunteer hours are for.

For instance:
Were you a tutor? (shows leadership, communication)
Did you volunteer to help disabled kids or volunteer in a diverse community? (diversity, communication)
Did you lead a group for a community service activity (leadership, teamwork)
etc.

These become important for the Evaluator ALO during your interview.
 
T-37IP said:
35 is awesome. Volunteer hours count for zero. Leadership is what's important. Work on the CFA. Take it early once you know you will do well.
Click to expand...
No retake for a 35. Only possibly if he were an Ivy, MIT, Stanford... And then I'd suggest trying the SAT especially with the new format.
 
Since you're an athlete (varsity and club soccer) I suggest looking into being NCAA eligible for recruiting if you haven't already.
 
Nytoga330 said:
How important would you say it is to go from a 35 on ACT to a 36 superscore? My hs junior son got a 34 first time, took it again and got a 35. According to counselors for selective universities (not service academies), the difference between a 35 and 36 isn't important enough to re-test. They suggest working on the other parts of the application (essays, volunteering, work, leadership). We told him to focus on the CFA and his volunteer projects, but he would re-test the ACT if he thought it would have a significant impact on a USAFA appointment.
Click to expand...
My son got 1500 and 35, took SAT twice and ACT once, no super score on SAT because 1st go was best and announced, “good enough, I’m not taking those tests ever again”. 😂 He graduates from USAFA in May.
 
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