How am I heading

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Born-To-Fly_024

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I am a freshman at a high school in Maine. I was just wondering if I can get some input from you all, because you're older and may have techniques, flaws, or advantages in applying for a service academy and it would be helpful if you can help me out so I wont make the same mistakes, and also your advice will greatly help, since I have three years to go. Here is my situation so you can get a view of where I stand:

I'm applying to USNA and I know a lot about if because my dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa went there. I am a freshman in Maine, I get pretty good grades, I don't know my GPA since im a frosh, but my semester grades were all above a 90, overall im a good student who takes all the honors classes I can take. For activities, I played freshman soccer and now im playing freshman baseball. I'm very good at baseball so im bound to make varsity. I'm also involved in scouting, currently a star scout and getting inducted into the Order of the Arrow. And, i'm on my high school music department's council, the 10 of us make big plans, like where we travel to and perform(big leadership role), and im in the band. Im a very active person so fitness isnt a problem, along with good character.
Any input on how im currently going and maybe what I need to work on?? while its early???
 
Stick w/ scouts and be sure to make Eagle...if you're star now you should be eagle a year from now...don't drag your feet on those badges and project..get it done before you get too busy w/ other activities.
 
^^^ everything above, plus for USNA great grades in Math and Sciences are needed. Look at the profile of class of 11 and you will see the SAT scores are very high 600's. Most cadets also have a GPA that is the top 5 - 10% of the class. Take the very hardest courses offered to not take the easier ones, if you can take AP, then take that and not the honors. The SA's ask for the school profile so they do know, the % of kids going to college and the type of college, they also know the number of AP courses offered and which ones they offer, so they can compare you in an overall picture compared to the class
 
It appears good so far. It is great that you are planning in advance. Eagle scout will help a lot. The whole process will help you in ways that you won't even realize until later. My son honestly feels that it was his Scouting experience that helped him the most. Find out when your congressman has Academy night. Ours was in the fall of each year. My son went to those each year of High School and each time he learned a little more. It was there that he learned about ROTC opportunities as well. NROTC is a great plan B.

Good luck
 
another question.....I dont know if im doing soccer again next year becasue I dont like the High School's program...but, im sticking with baseball and im going to be pretty dominant in that, I also play basketball but im not sure if I want to try out....should I do more than baseball, cause in reality i play soccer, baseball, basketball, and tennis out of school for rec teams...but i cant play baseball and tennis at once for the school, and our soccer program is ridiculous, and im undecided about basketball, i guess the main problem is that im not sure if i can play more than baseball for my school....... maybe basketball, but i've only played rec basketball up to now.....but im set on baseball, thats my dominant high school sport
 
Sounds as if you favor ball sports, but you might consider fall cross-country. If running comes easy to you when you get to the Academy, you'll be ... miles ahead.
 
I'm from Maine too (a senior), and was rejected from USNA this year. Doing a year of prep and trying again.

It's great that you are starting early - I wish I had applied myself during Freshmen and Sophomore years to avoid those 87s in Spanish and Math which shot down my GPA.

You already have a major advantage, though, and that's being from Maine. The Senators and Representatives essentially give out nominations without much effort, and it really becomes a question of how many you'll get. Plus, academy applications are pretty few and far between, meaning your competition on a congressional nomination slate won't be too difficult.

At least you're taking sports, though. That's what my application package was lacking.
 
You're on the right track so far. Ball sports are hard to get involved with at USNA unless you're a standout. If you're not varsity now in any ball sport, chances are you won't be playing them here, honest truth. Soccer will help you with your running ability. Honestly, I was on of the best runners in New England (1:56 800m, 16:03 5K, 4:24 mile) and ran Navy Cross Country and track last year for the first semester. I haven't run much since then, only for fun here and there, and I'm still running around 8 minutes for the PRT (100% is 8:15). If you can get ahead in the physical department, you'll have room for other things like your schoolwork and your military development (i.e. proknowledge when you're a plebe, mentoring when you're a youngster, etc.) which are really the important things after your PRT and PE classes.

Let your guidance counselor know that you're interested in applying to USNA, that way you can work out a plan to tailor your package for coming here now rather than later. It sounds like you'll score well on your SAT's which are also important, but not the end all, be all of statistics. Stay on top of school, athletics, and other activities, and let USNA know you're interested by getting on a mailing list and getting info from them early.
 
Born-To-Fly_024 said:
....should I do more than baseball, cause in reality i play soccer, baseball, basketball, and tennis out of school for rec teams...
Click to expand...

Leadership (a team captain) in a few activities is better than simple participation in many.

:cool:
 
RImid2010 said:
Honestly, I was on of the best runners in New England (1:56 800m, 16:03 5K, 4:24 mile) and ran Navy Cross Country and track last year for the first semester. I haven't run much since then, only for fun here and there, and I'm still running around 8 minutes for the PRT (100% is 8:15).
Click to expand...

RImid2010, any specific reason you're not competing in competitive sports anymore? We have heard from some people it is good to be in a competitive sport because you get to get away from campus a little bit and do something you love, but others say it is too time consuming and you can fall behind accademically due to all of the practice/meets that you need to attend. Do you have any advice or thoughts on this?
 
oneandfive said:
RImid2010, any specific reason you're not competing in competitive sports anymore? We have heard from some people it is good to be in a competitive sport because you get to get away from campus a little bit and do something you love, but others say it is too time consuming and you can fall behind accademically due to all of the practice/meets that you need to attend. Do you have any advice or thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

You'll find that many people who originally go out for sports here are quite talented, but have trouble committing the time necessary to continue. In my case, I ended up getting sick a few times and had an injury and couple that with the fact that I'm not the most outstanding student- it led me to ending my track career and focus more on my academics and professionalism. There are times when I know I'd love to be able to run still, but you learn to set your priorities when you get here. Had I still been running, I'd be constantly sore, and my grades would probably be below 2.0.
 
If any can help me out as well, that would be great. I average a 3.4GPA with one AP class. My grades aren't exactly stellar but I'm an enrolled sea cadet with plenty of leadership experience and above average athletic skills and plenty of motivation. I guess what I'm really asking is, if I have decent grades as a sophomore, and great ones as a junior, do I still have a chance? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hooyah Navy!
 
It helps to be an all-around athlete, a student who takes the tough classes (particularly math and science) and to show that you don't quit. My son took the tough classes ... and even had a C in an AP class ... his unweighted overall gpa is 3.66 (about) ... but because of honors classes and AP, his weighted gpa is 4.33 ... that said ... his SATs were 690 math, but only 560 English. What made the difference? Perhaps his 4 years of football, 4 years of track, 2 of skiing. Perhaps his Life Scout & Philmont experiences. Perhaps his essay. Perhaps his recommendation letters. Perhaps his interviews. Put it all together ... and every aspect counts. Sticking with the tough things makes a huge difference. There are indeed straight 4-0 students (unweighted); state athletes, perfect SAT students at the Academy ... but I'm told those who have to work hard to achieve do as well (or sometimes better) once they get there ... Good luck!
 
I would also advise you as a current Eagle Scout to stay active in scouting after you earn your eagle. Use this time to apply the skills you learned in order to complete your project. Give back to your troop and use scouting as a leadership laboratory. Dont be the typical 18 year old eagle, many of us fail to realize the significance of our award till we are older. Also congrats on OA have fun at ordeal.
 
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