High school ranking and rigor

[Norfolk63]

A 1500 is a solid SAT score. If you can get a 35 on the ACT, it will be all the better. If you are planning on ROTC as your plan B, make sure you check into whether or not you need to take the essay portion of the ACT. I think that you do, but do your research.

I have never heard of a requirement to take BOTH the SAT and the ACT for service academies or ROTC. Thought it was just one or the other. Please correct me if I am not properly informed.

You are correct.

 

[CrewDad]

@sebgb. Your SAT is excellent and all others are more relative because you compete in your district not in national pool. Not yet. Important thing is never make excuses. You are where you are because it is the function of the quality of your input and not because you went to a tougher school than someone who didn’t.

You said you went to Top 20 school listed on US NEWS. That school is International School in Bellevue, WA. If this is your school, it is an excellent school. It has a graduating class of 70. You rank in top 25% in that 70, so 18. How big is your friend’s school. Is it 300, 500 graduating class? Size does matter. Bigger schools you compete with larger competition. Do you think if you went to your friend’s school you can still rank 18 in the overall student body? Or 30 or 50 in top 10%? I think the result of your SAT is the direct result of better prep your school gave you to excel in the test vs perhaps less prep your friend’s school gave him. It doesn’t show that you worked harder than him. Quite the opposite.

If the rest of your App is strong and you are still the best 1-3 candidates in your district then I think you have a good chance. Otherwise it is very likely there are quite a few ahead of you in the lineup. Bellevue has many competitive candidates seeking to attend nation’s top schools and less to Academies compared to other districts in greater Seattle. Nevertheless, there are many aspiring candidates to Academies. Greater Seattle has many military bases so home to many dependents who are seeking SA as their top choice colleges because of their family and parental influence throughout their youth.

Don’t make excuses at interviews but own everything you did in the past and present.

Put your best foot forward and don’t make excuses for less stellar grades. Own your weakness and mistakes and focus on your strength and why you want to serve in the Navy for your country. Show that you’re a mature and responsible candidate.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

My high school is one of, if not the best in my state, and is in the top 20 in the nation according to US News. Because of this, our course rigors are much more challenging themselves as compared to other schools, and my ranking is a lot lower than what it could be compared to if I were at another school.

My final point is how my school and GPA makes my school rank drop immensely. My school doesnt rank, but if I had to guess I'd probably say im in the bottom 25%. Let me explain why. I don't mean to sound offensive saying this, but being straightforward, due to my school and its type, most people there are "nerds."

So, I'm wondering, how does my high school, with how it affects my GPA due to class rigor and class rank due to how my class is, affect my chances?

I really haven't had the time to read all the responses, so I apologize if someone else has given this answer...but what I am reading in the original post is alot of EXCUSES. Over the years, I have seen a lot of candidates from very competitive schools, and the successful candidate is almost always is the one who takes takes the tough course load, gets good grades, near the top of his/her class, and also manages a variety of sports and ECAs. Some of these kids simply amaze me with their accomplishments.

Yes, USNA has a school profile, and knows how competititve your school is... They will also know your approximate class rank, whether the school ranks or not. USNA is looking for the kid who ranks high, AND participates in sports and ECA's. You are not competing with the kid who has straight A's because all he does is study; you are competing with the kid with straight A's, captain of the football and wrestling team , President of National Honor Society, and works 10 hours a week for his/her church.

As a final note, be careful about your characterization of "nerds," odds are you will be working for one of those nerds some day.

 

[MidCakePa]

In the early 2010s, when the Stanford football team was a staple in the Top 20, owning the PAC 12, and winning Rose Bowls, the players delighted in calling themselves Nerd Nation. They went to their postgame press conferences wearing nerd glasses — you know, the heavy black frames held together at the bridge by white tape.

Their point: You can be academically accomplished and still be much, much more. In fact, their playing style was nicknamed “intellectual brutality.” So long live the nerds!

 

[2024candidate]

I am in the same position as you. My school is on of the top in the nation and my class rank is terrible compared to what it would be at almost any other school (I assume). Don't worry. They will understand the rigor of your school using the school profile if they want to.

This, however, isn't something you should be focusing on. Focus on what you can control, like how well your fall classes go.