How can I become more competitive?

apollo11

apollo11

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Feb 18, 2023
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Hello! I’m a junior in high school that has been interested in USAFA for around 5 years now. I understand that my chances can only be accurately determined by the admissions team, but I would like to gather some insight about holes in my resume. Thank you!

Academics:
- 3.98 unweighted GPA and top 6.5% in my class. (My only B is from AP Physics 1)
- After senior year I will have taken 13 AP classes, a class at the community college, and several honors classes.
- Scored 1300 on an SAT practice test, and will take the real SAT in March.
- Not a lot of STEM exposure, but took/will have taken AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Chem, AP Calc AB/BC

Athletics:
- Varsity Cross Country (4 years): Team captain for JV during junior year. I will be varsity team captain senior year.
- Varsity Track and Field (4 years): Mid-distance runner and accomplished high jumper. Set the indoor season school record, ranked high in my region as a high jumper. I anticipate being a varsity team captain for both seasons senior year.

Extracurriculars/Leadership:
- Boy Scouts: 7+ years of commitment including positions held such as patrol leader, chaplain aide, assistant senior patrol leader, and the crew leader for my troop’s Philmont Scout Ranch Trek.
- Student Government: 3 years as an elected officer that led/co-led school wide initiatives
- Class Council: 3 years as an elected officer that worked with and led the student body in various school projects and fundraisers
- International Club: Worked as the director of logistics for a community wide culture fair that earned over $15,000 for schools in Lebanon
- Lawn care business paid employee (part-time)
- Summer Internship at an airport (anticipated)

Community Service:
- Started and continue to run a free peer tutoring group to help local kids affected by virtual learning due to Covid-19.
- Earned over 120 hours as a camp counselor at a Scout summer camp
- Service projects with my church group, Scout troop, and on my own

Recognition:
- Eagle Scout (anticipate earning by May)
- 2022 Coach’s Award (the MVP award for my cross country team)
- National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science National Honor Society
- Superintendent Honor Roll freshman/sophomore year

Any and all feedback is very much appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.
 
You look very competitive to me. But that doesn’t mean anything as you don’t know your competition. Our your own/others intangibles. If you are interested in your sports, you could reach out to coaches (fill out a recruiting questionnaire online). I would also attend any locals admissions forums/events, as well as your nominating sources SA info events (most do them, it seems). Think about who you will want to write your LOR’s, and establish those relationships.

Good luck to you!
 
Are you fast enough to run on USAFA track / xc? Try to find results for current team members on the athletic website. Chances for appointment increase if a coach is working on your behalf.
 
You are likely competitive, but it really depends on your MOC slate competition. Work on getting 1420 SAT or higher. Develop strong plans B, C, D. Realize that many get nominated but much fewer get Appointed. Study the USAFA website. Consider USNA too. Good luck.
 
Apply for Boys State, run for either LG or Governor. It's a huge addition to your application. The same goes for Boys Nation.

The only suggestion I have outside of that, improve your SAT. Experiment with ACT. Take it as many times as it takes where you can honestly look at it and say "This score is a tremendous help to my application, not a potential low-point"

Outside of that, you're on a great track!
 
I tell my students to take the SAT/ACT 'early and often' -- that is the same recommendation I would make to you. Be sure to complete your Eagle Scout (and congratulations on earning it!). All other suggestions noted above are great! Best of luck on your application for an appointment.
 
You look competitive. I'd say definitely complete your Eagle Scout requirements and try to max-perform on the SAT & ACT.
 
Prep for the CFA, SAT, ACT. ALO and Nomination interviews could derail the entire package if you aren't able to present yourself well in person so practice answering the typical questions that address motivation, preparation and integrity.
 
Look into Boys' State.

NHS

Figure out how to get awesome physical fitness scores. Your cardio is probably a strength but where do you stand on push-ups, pull-ups, and throwing a basketball?

Practice interviewing and do self-reflection on why you are pursuing this.

Figure out what teachers/coaches you'll ask for recommendations and make sure you interact with them and demonstrate peer-leaders every day in and out of class.

Develop a detailed checklist and timeline of when you need to do/submit requirements for the administrative application procedure. If you are only meeting deadlines and not doing things early you are doing things way too late. No one wants someone who is "just in time" or "I met the minimum" to become officers.

Visit the academy and talk to cadets. Contact the ACADEMY AND ROTC RECRUITERS REGULARLY.

Associate with like minded peers or at least "good" kids. Find a mentor. This isn't an enlisted recruiter or two-year veteran. Ideally it is a grad, current officer, or retired officer.

Read. Read. Read. Be well-read and have a book on your nightstand you read from every night.

You sound solid....time to polish, tighten up loose ends, and get your fangs out for the kill.
 
SPL, Boys State, take the both SAT and the ACT early and often. Model UN if available. Speech team is always a great skill to have. My sons were junior volunteer fireman. Practice for your CFA, you have enough time to really put down an impressive score. (it is more than just running) OA leadership position. Possibly venture crew. Take a look at The Congressional Award. Google it. You certainly look competitive but so does everyone else. Camp counselor this summer is great leadership experience and will give you more to talk about. You want to distinguish yourself from the pack. “Everyone one has great grades, leadership and athletics” Good luck!
 
apollo11 said:
This feedback is incredibly helpful, thank you all once again.
Click to expand...
Also know, that there are lots of amazing resumes and candidates that do not receive an appointment on the first try. There simply isn’t room. So make sure and look at the long term picture. What will you do if not appointed on your first try? Not only is it good to have a plan for the long term, but you will also need to speak to this in your interviews. I know I want a sense of this commitment when I speak to candidates.

NROTC is a great program. And don’t leave that application until the end. Do it simultaneously with your SA and nom apps. Head over to the NROTC threads to read about the management of that process. When the boards are. How to get your interview scheduled. NROTC is an additional nom source, and another way to commission, and I would expect someone who wants to serve as a Naval Officer to also pursue this route.
 
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