Highschool Advice Please

[US2021]

Hello! I am a 13 year old female heading into 9th grade and am interested in the military academies! I have been looking into them for years and have especially been drawn towards the Naval Academy/Air Force Academy! I am the first person in my family to be born in America, but serving the U.S. Army is my dream. If any of you could help me out or have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated!!

I will go ahead and give a little back ground. I have a 4.0 GPA and have taken High School courses all through middle school and have earned the college credits for math and Spanish. I participate in varsity sports and community service as well. The other week, I have attended STEM camp for USNA and it was amazing! Currently I am modeling part time. I am planning on quitting senior year, but could modeling on my resume effect my chances of getting into any of the academies in a negative way?

(I apologize for these next questions, because they are so vague..) What is some advice for the next 4 years of high school (Especially freshman) to improve my chances? If I keep up with everything I am currently engaged in, do I have a pretty good likelihood of being accepted? And, I have heard many people that get in have multitudinous connections with high up people, however, I do not unfortunately. Any advice or tips at all would be amazing!! Thank you very very much!

 

[2021mom]

Hello! I am a 13 year old female heading into 9th grade and am interested in the military academies! I have been looking into them for years and have especially been drawn towards the Naval Academy/Air Force Academy! I am the first person in my family to be born in America, but serving the U.S. Army is my dream. If any of you could help me out or have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated!!
!

US2021 - I'll jump in and give you my 2 cents.
1. Stay focused on Academics. If you have already earned college credit as an 8th grader, this should not be a problem for you. Just challenge yourself with the classes that are available to you. Focus on math and science. Be sure you are on track to complete the highest level calculus your high school offers. Take Bio, Chem, and Physics. If available, take at least 2 Sciences at an AP level. Continue with foreign language study.
SAT and ACT test scores matter, but you've got a couple years for that.
2. Join school clubs and other activities and seek out leadership positions. Only your 10 - 12 activities count toward your application, so use 9th grade to figure out which clubs to join, which activities interest you, and stick with them and become a leader. Just be sure you are not seeking a title. Truly give of yourself and make a difference.
Look at the class profiles. Many successful applicants were in NHS and other service organizations. Many were active in student government. But you should choose groups that are available to you and interest you.
3. Athletics. You didn't mention a sport but said you participate in varsity sports. Not sure how that's possible in Middle School. But keep at it so you can make the team in High School and earn your varsity letter. Many school are highly competitive and very few hopefuls actually make the team so take it seriously if you want to continue. You may want to seek out and join club teams in the off season, if that is an option for you. Regardless, you should consider yourself an athlete and workout like an athlete. Don't wait until your Junior year. Make running and physical fitness a part of who you are.

If you can do #1, 2 and 3 while modeling, then it's unlikely to be an issue unless you make it one. I'd recommend keeping the focus of you application and interviews on #1, 2, and 3. Good Luck. You're off to a promising start!

 

[Capri120]

US2021, rest assured, most people who receive appointments do NOT have connections with high up people; this is a falicy.

Just keep doing the best you can and be yourself, including modeling.

Best of luck.

 

[US2021]

US2021 - I'll jump in and give you my 2 cents.
1. Stay focused on Academics. If you have already earned college credit as an 8th grader, this should not be a problem for you. Just challenge yourself with the classes that are available to you. Focus on math and science. Be sure you are on track to complete the highest level calculus your high school offers. Take Bio, Chem, and Physics. If available, take at least 2 Sciences at an AP level. Continue with foreign language study.
SAT and ACT test scores matter, but you've got a couple years for that.
2. Join school clubs and other activities and seek out leadership positions. Only your 10 - 12 activities count toward your application, so use 9th grade to figure out which clubs to join, which activities interest you, and stick with them and become a leader. Just be sure you are not seeking a title. Truly give of yourself and make a difference.
Look at the class profiles. Many successful applicants were in NHS and other service organizations. Many were active in student government. But you should choose groups that are available to you and interest you.
3. Athletics. You didn't mention a sport but said you participate in varsity sports. Not sure how that's possible in Middle School. But keep at it so you can make the team in High School and earn your varsity letter. Many school are highly competitive and very few hopefuls actually make the team so take it seriously if you want to continue. You may want to seek out and join club teams in the off season, if that is an option for you. Regardless, you should consider yourself an athlete and workout like an athlete. Don't wait until your Junior year. Make running and physical fitness a part of who you are.

If you can do #1, 2 and 3 while modeling, then it's unlikely to be an issue unless you make it one. I'd recommend keeping the focus of you application and interviews on #1, 2, and 3. Good Luck. You're off to a promising start!

Thank you very very much, this was extremely informative and helpful!!! Awesome advice, I'll keep working! Sincerely appreciate all of your time and generosity!!!

 

[US2021]

US2021, rest assured, most people who receive appointments do NOT have connections with high up people; this is a falicy.

Just keep doing the best you can and be yourself, including modeling.

Best of luck.

Thank you so so very much!!

 

[Knight990]

My appologizes for being technical, but you cant serve the army by going to the USAFA or USNA. I think you may have meant military, but if not, then you should look into the USMA. Apart from that, everyone else has some great advice.

 

[cmitchell39]

You sound like you're on the right track. Make sure you give it your all when it comes to academics, and make sure you study and prepare for the ACT and SAT as much as you can. Be involved in sports and other extracurriculars, and make sure you attain at least one leadership position. It's hard work but it's worth it in the end.

 

[brovol]

Looks like you have a lot of enthusiasm, a good work ethic, and are a bright young lady. Those traits will serve you well if you stay focused. In the next few years you will experience a lot, and your outlook might change, so maintain an open mind about the services. When it comes time to apply at the end of your junior year in HS, apply to all of the academies, unless you have concluded you are dead set against serving in a particular branch. Don't forget USCGA, or Merchant Marine Academy, both of which are terrific options, and in fact far better options for many. Read up on each of the services, and look into the different careers that each offers officers. You will be amazed how many incredible things you can do.

Each of the academies follows a similar format and formula to selecting appointees. Acedemics, consisting of your class rank, and your ACT/SAT scores is by far the most compelling factor, so keep your grades high, take the ACT/SAT as often as you can, and study hard before each test. Those scores are the most important part of your application package. Leadership is next, and that includes both your involvement in sports (preferably varsity level team sports), as well as positions within organizations, like student council, NHS. Position yourself to win high officer spots like president or VP. Big points to be gained there. Stay fit and strong too, because the CFA is another ten percent of the equation, and that ten percent may seem small, but the difference between many who are admitted and those who are not can be less than one percent.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay out of trouble, and maintain high character. Build relationships with your teachers. I don't think the modeling will hurt you at all, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the other things you need to achieve. Indeed it might help your application.

If you have the opportunity, visit the academies. You will very much enjoy it, and your parents will too. I am biased, as my kid is a Cadet there, but take the trip to West Point too, even if it isn't your top choice. It leaves most with a very special feeling.

Read the info on each academies web site. Tons to gather there.

 

[NM2019]

Here is my question: should I focus more on the ACT or SAT? I expect to take both during my high school year, and I have recently taken the ACT. I am just wondering about which one I should focus on for the Air Force Academy to consider. By the way, I am entering my Junior year in high school at the end of the summer this year.

 

[US2021]

Looks like you have a lot of enthusiasm, a good work ethic, and are a bright young lady. Those traits will serve you well if you stay focused. In the next few years you will experience a lot, and your outlook might change, so maintain an open mind about the services. When it comes time to apply at the end of your junior year in HS, apply to all of the academies, unless you have concluded you are dead set against serving in a particular branch. Don't forget USCGA, or Merchant Marine Academy, both of which are terrific options, and in fact far better options for many. Read up on each of the services, and look into the different careers that each offers officers. You will be amazed how many incredible things you can do.

Each of the academies follows a similar format and formula to selecting appointees. Acedemics, consisting of your class rank, and your ACT/SAT scores is by far the most compelling factor, so keep your grades high, take the ACT/SAT as often as you can, and study hard before each test. Those scores are the most important part of your application package. Leadership is next, and that includes both your involvement in sports (preferably varsity level team sports), as well as positions within organizations, like student council, NHS. Position yourself to win high officer spots like president or VP. Big points to be gained there. Stay fit and strong too, because the CFA is another ten percent of the equation, and that ten percent may seem small, but the difference between many who are admitted and those who are not can be less than one percent.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay out of trouble, and maintain high character. Build relationships with your teachers. I don't think the modeling will hurt you at all, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the other things you need to achieve. Indeed it might help your application.

If you have the opportunity, visit the academies. You will very much enjoy it, and your parents will too. I am biased, as my kid is a Cadet there, but take the trip to West Point too, even if it isn't your top choice. It leaves most with a very special feeling.

Read the info on each academies web site. Tons to gather there.

Thank you so very much! Very grateful for the amazing response, generosity, and advice! I will go ahead and keep looking into all the academies and take a look at USCGA and Merchant Marine Academy (Which I have never thought of!) Thank you very much! Sincerely appreciate it

 

[FMHS-79]

Here is my question: should I focus more on the ACT or SAT? I expect to take both during my high school year, and I have recently taken the ACT. I am just wondering about which one I should focus on for the Air Force Academy to consider.

USAFA will accept either. Many kids do much better on one test than the other. Take both soon and then you can focus on the test that is likely to provide you a better score.

 

[brovol]

Here is my question: should I focus more on the ACT or SAT? I expect to take both during my high school year, and I have recently taken the ACT. I am just wondering about which one I should focus on for the Air Force Academy to consider. By the way, I am entering my Junior year in high school at the end of the summer this year.

Most will say they are the same, or that neither one is a better option than the other. I think though, with super-scoring, the ACT is a better option because there are four separate sections, which gives you a better chance to improve on one or more category each time you take the test, be that because you are really good in a subject that day, or just lucky. The SAT only has the two sections. Under a superscore system, the more subsections the better.

My son never had a composite over 31, which he got multiple times, but had a superscore of M34, E31, S34, and R30. Prior to his last ACT his high score on science was a 28, and he insisted there was no way he would ever get better. And he didn't even feel good about science after that test, but when he got the 34 he said it was just total dumb luck. But if you take the test enough times you will get some sections which are either easier that test, or you may get a little good fortune, and get a boost in that score. He was consistently good in math, but on one of the tests he managed to get one point more than all the others. English is the only section he never seemed to move much. Always the same. The SAT doesn't work the same way.

If you plan to take the tests many times (and everyone should), unless the SAT just suits you better, I think the ACT is the better choice.

 

[brovol]

Thank you so very much! Very grateful for the amazing response, generosity, and advice! I will go ahead and keep looking into all the academies and take a look at USCGA and Merchant Marine Academy (Which I have never thought of!) Thank you very much! Sincerely appreciate it

On the merchant marine forum there is a great overview of what Kings Point is all about. I learned a lot reading it yesterday. When my son was looking at schools we visited USCGA during one of our West Point trips. Cool place, and I think it would be incredible to be an officer in the Coast Guard. My son was real locked into USMA though. All of the academies are incredible though. Expand the horizons.

 

[NM2019]

Most will say they are the same, or that neither one is a better option than the other. I think though, with super-scoring, the ACT is a better option because there are four separate sections, which gives you a better chance to improve on one or more category each time you take the test, be that because you are really good in a subject that day, or just lucky. The SAT only has the two sections. Under a superscore system, the more subsections the better.

My son never had a composite over 31, which he got multiple times, but had a superscore of M34, E31, S34, and R30. Prior to his last ACT his high score on science was a 28, and he insisted there was no way he would ever get better. And he didn't even feel good about science after that test, but when he got the 34 he said it was just total dumb luck. But if you take the test enough times you will get some sections which are either easier that test, or you may get a little good fortune, and get a boost in that score. He was consistently good in math, but on one of the tests he managed to get one point more than all the others. English is the only section he never seemed to move much. Always the same. The SAT doesn't work the same way.

If you plan to take the tests many times (and everyone should), unless the SAT just suits you better, I think the ACT is the better choice.

Thank you for replying to my comment, and I will take that advice. I can see your point on the ACT having four sections to cover being better than the SAT. I plan on taking the ACT many times, as well as completing many practice tests.

 

[NM2019]

USAFA will accept either. Many kids do much better on one test than the other. Take both soon and then you can focus on the test that is likely to provide you a better score.

Ok, thank you for your feedback! I think I will perform better on the ACT, so I will focus on that one.

 

[USAFA10s]

Ok, thank you for your feedback! I think I will perform better on the ACT, so I will focus on that one.

Make sure you take both at least once. I thought I would be better at the ACT as well, but turns out the format of the SAT questions suited me better and I got a MUCH higher SAT score than ACT the first time.