How Can I improve my resume?

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MooseMountain

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Oct 5, 2020
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Currently, I'm a Junior in highschool. So far (don't want to jinx it) I have a 4.0 gpa with a total of 5 AP classes. I ran track but transitioned over to lacrosse in my sophmore year. I'm involved in 1 service club and 1 academic club. I'm also interning on my congress person's campaign. What are some additional steps I can take in order ot increase my chances of getting in. Thanks in advance.
 
Keep the grades up and crush your ACT/SAT.

Next, you need leadership experience. Find ways to demonstrate leadership. Team Captain, Club President, student body officer, etc are ideal. But don't just check the box. Do things that get you real experience leading, motivating and dealing with your teammates.

While you academics look strong, they want more than a smart kid. Get involved with something you are passionate about and lead.
 
Look into boys/girls state, apply, and let them know you want to attend. Do your research on it, a fantastic program. Practice interviewing and maybe try some public speaking. That helped our son with confidence and poise. Don't put things on your resume for the sake of building it. Do things that interest you and where you can see yourself making a difference.
 
Really apprecieate all the responses. No one in my family has ever served before so this world is completely new to me. My passion for the service academies has really lit a fire underneath me.
 
Something I did was fulfilling a need in school by creating a club and during my interviews they really liked what I did so that might be a good add on
 
JP51 said:
Something I did was fulfilling a need in school by creating a club and during my interviews they really liked what I did so that might be a good add on
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If you don't mind me asking, what was the topic of that club?
 
MooseMountain said:
If you don't mind me asking, what was the topic of that club?
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Well in our school we have a very competitive IB program and many times kids get very stressed and depressed and turn to drugs and other addictive substances. So I wanted to offer something to underclassman to sort of break this bad cycle. The club is called film club, it's very basic by the way it sounds but it is a club where we watch movies from the asian region and along with watching a movie we upperclassman help guide the underclassman something that we didn't have and it helped in a way shine light onto the underclassman when they are in despair I would say. So the reason we watch asian films is because Im asian myself and I like to share my culture with others which gives them a unique perspective and in a way some inspiration that they didn't know they needed. Hope this helps
 
JP51 said:
Well in our school we have a very competitive IB program and many times kids get very stressed and depressed and turn to drugs and other addictive substances. So I wanted to offer something to underclassman to sort of break this bad cycle. The club is called film club, it's very basic by the way it sounds but it is a club where we watch movies from the asian region and along with watching a movie we upperclassman help guide the underclassman something that we didn't have and it helped in a way shine light onto the underclassman when they are in despair I would say. So the reason we watch asian films is because Im asian myself and I like to share my culture with others which gives them a unique perspective and in a way some inspiration that they didn't know they needed. Hope this helps
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That's awsome! Me being Asian as well that's so cool to see you incorporate that with mental health. Thanks for the inspiration, I've been doing some serious soul-searching lately trying to find what I'm passionate about and how I can turn that into something tangible.
 
When you're at the step of actually writing your resume, Ken Coleman has a great resume template. I made mine for colleges a couple of weeks ago and couldn't be happier.
 
If you don't get an appointment your senior year of High School you can enlist and apply again through the LEAD program. Getting in once enlisted is much less competitive because there are always dedicated "prior service" slots that don't get filled.

I'd make sure you are OK with doing 4 years enlisted if you go this route though. You will have a good shot at the Academy from enlisted, but there are no guarantees & enlisted life isn't for everyone.

Good luck to you!
 
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daavve said:
If you don't get an appointment your senior year of High School you can enlist and apply again through the LEAD program. Getting in once enlisted is much less competitive because there are always dedicated "prior service" slots that don't get filled.

Good luck to you!
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Is that a fact? Why do the slots not get filled?
 
Devil Doc said:
Is that a fact? Why do the slots not get filled?
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I can't tell you for certain. Most enlisted simply aren't interested, are too old, or don't meet the minimum requirements.

Realistically, if you want to do the LEAD program you have to complete Basic Training, then Tech School, then spend at least 4 months at your first duty assignment to impress your leadership enough to sign off on your application. Enlisted have worked very hard by this point. It can be a hard sell to give up a promising career mid-launch and go to "square one" for a different career.
 
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So, while LEAD can be a viable path, realize that your career field manager does not necessarily have to release you. AKA, if you enlist in a career field that REALLY needs people, they might not let you go.
Direct appointment or prep school is a more reliable way to get in. With excellent academics, direct appointment is the most likely way (also the most common).
 
Good point about LEAD having risks. That's how I got in. I ended up needing my Supervisor, my Section Chief, my AMU Maintenance Officer, and my Squadron Commander to all sign off on my application. Any one of those people could have shot me down, but didn't.

As far as thee Career Field manager. In 2003 when I got accepted, my field (Aircraft Maintenance) was "Critically Manned", but they let me go anyway.

I only ever met 1 other enlisted person (outside of the Academy) that ever considered doing LEAD. So I'm basically a sample size of one.

LEAD's probably a good strategy if you "Definately want to Serve in the Air Force, & are OK with staying enlisted if that's how things work out". There are quite a few bitter enlisted out there, I'd hate to see you become one of them.

Good luck!
 
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