how do i improve?

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flyingcheetos

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Feb 29, 2020
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Hey y'all,
I'm a junior in hs and i applied for the summer seminar thing and still haven't heard back from them yet, so i thought it would be a good time to start the PCQ.
Here's what i have so far for the actual application.. any pointers on where I could improve would be great!
SAT (740 R/660 M) (taking another one again on wednesday so hopefully i can atleast improve math by 100 pts (fingers crossed)
Unweighted 4.0 GPA: 3.43 (weighted 4.0 3.725) (our school only ranks the top 10% out of 894 students)
Academics : (IB) French, Chem, History, English, Econ, SL Math
extracurricular stuff: president for a school stock market club, co-pres of a "intermural" volleyball club (we just made a club for ppl at school who couldn't play on the team and have tournaments), church pianist, youth worship leader, Operation Christmas Child Lead at my church, DECA in Freshman year, Southwest Airlines Internship last summer, volunteer at the airport
CFA stuff: 8:05 mi, 25 pushups in a min, 15 situps (this row of stats should improve dramatically by may)

-unfortunately, i didn't participate in any school sports.
- i feel like my unweighted gpa is kind of low given what i'm reading in these forums. Do y'all suggest i go ahead and submit the PCQ or wait till the end of the next 9 weeks when the gpa updates? If my academic stuff is low and i apply now will they just deny my app after one look?

-feel free to ask me any questions if you need any more info to clarify the above stuff.
 
As to what are your chances, I have no clue. From what I've read, your SAT is strong. Our comfort level has been to have both above 700. It sounds like you have some time to improve that math score. It is recommended, but not required to take the essay.

Take your CFA seriously. I'm sure you've seen the average scores for last year's class. Work to be at least at the average. If that's not likely, then get as far as you can with it and focus on your academic record. Your GPA could use work. There's not much time for that to happen, so right now counts. Finish this year as close to straight A's as possible.

I would pay some additional attention to leadership. You do have sports in the volleyball club. You may wish to consider a spring sport and looking to team captain. Consider scouts, if you are not already involved. I hate recommending sports or extracurriculars just to pad a resume, personally. They should be interesting to you, but I suppose it is what it is.

Do not underestimate the value of multiple nomination sources. Only a certain number of cadets per nomination source (mostly) are allowed. You might be way better than an applicant from a nearby Congressional district but if there are better applicants than you in your own district, then things go downhill quick. That's a serious issue.

Best of luck
 
caernarvonkjaer said:
As to what are your chances, I have no clue. From what I've read, your SAT is strong. Our comfort level has been to have both above 700. It sounds like you have some time to improve that math score. It is recommended, but not required to take the essay.

Take your CFA seriously. I'm sure you've seen the average scores for last year's class. Work to be at least at the average. If that's not likely, then get as far as you can with it and focus on your academic record. Your GPA could use work. There's not much time for that to happen, so right now counts. Finish this year as close to straight A's as possible.

I would pay some additional attention to leadership. You do have sports in the volleyball club. You may wish to consider a spring sport and looking to team captain. Consider scouts, if you are not already involved. I hate recommending sports or extracurriculars just to pad a resume, personally. They should be interesting to you, but I suppose it is what it is.

Do not underestimate the value of multiple nomination sources. Only a certain number of cadets per nomination source (mostly) are allowed. You might be way better than an applicant from a nearby Congressional district but if there are better applicants than you in your own district, then things go downhill quick. That's a serious issue.

Best of luck
Click to expand...

Thank you!
Does it hurt if I start the Pre-candidate questionaiire and enter the current gpa? or should i wait for my next gpa update (in 2 weeks)?
 
I can't see how it would hurt, but I've seen suggestions both ways around here. I might suggest doing a search of the forums for PCQ related questions and answers, there's a lot of good and recent advice, particularly from long term forum members.
 
I would highly recommend checking out Boy's State this summer. It is ONLY available between your junior and senior year. It is a week long experience where you learn how local and state government functions. The service academies consider it on the same level as earning Eagle Scout. Don't think of it as something to pad your resume, but check out how it is run in your state and see if it's for you. You learn to work as a group, leadership skills and organization and planning.

Contact an American Legion Post near you for more information.
 
Dad_2024 said:
I would highly recommend checking out Boy's State this summer. It is ONLY available between your junior and senior year. It is a week long experience where you learn how local and state government functions. The service academies consider it on the same level as earning Eagle Scout. Don't think of it as something to pad your resume, but check out how it is run in your state and see if it's for you. You learn to work as a group, leadership skills and organization and planning.

Contact an American Legion Post near you for more information.
Click to expand...
I am an advocate for Boys State, and know it is far more beneficial to a candidate's application than Summer Seminar. But equal to Eagle Scout? That doesn't sound right. Nor is it equal to earning the Billy Mitchell for a Civil Air Patrol cadet. However, being elected Lt. Gov at Boys State, that does mean "checking the additional box", on the Candidate Activities Record, USAFA form 147.
 
Do a sensitively analysis of your projected GPA - does it move the dial much? I would think not at this point.

You have a solid composite SAT but the great news is that it's really just the math (and you already know it!) that needs improvement. A 740 ERW is very, very solid. I would still do the essay, you never know when you need it - for USMA or civilian colleges. 1400 is no slouch, but 1500 is super nice!

I would not add or switch gears for ECs at this point. Do more of what you already do, truly leading whether or not you have additional leadership titles. The only thing i'd add is Boys/Girls State.

No varsity sport: look up Christcorp's thread on Sports and Your Academy Application thread for the qualities you exhibit with your volleyball league, and then perform exceptionally well on the CFA to show you have the capability to handle the physical rigors at USAFA. Tons of threads on the CFA.

I'm intrigued by the SWA internship - did you have to do that 3 area choice, 10 minute "speed interview" format? I'm going to assume they saw a great people person and team player in you! SWA is all about that! Some of their interview questions are designed to draw that out. Any insightful volunteering/leadership at the airport that speaks to Why USAFA? SWA internship is a big deal, hugely competitive! Not necessarily for SA WCS, but really to have on your resume at all!
 
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