How Do I Stack Up?

[flygirl17]

I'm a HS junior planning on applying to the USNA and USCGA for the Class of 2022, because I come from a Navy family and the Coast Guard mission appeals to me. I'm wondering how my academic and athletic stats stack up with other people in my situation and/or people that have received appointments already. If anyone would share their stats or give me feedback on mine that would be great!
GPA: 4.0UW/4.33 W
Rank: Top 18%, 30/160
SAT: N/A, took Jan. 21st
PSAT: 1260 - Math 580, Reading/Writing 680
Junior Schedule - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Senior Schedule
IB Mathematics pt. 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AP Statistics
IB Biology pt. 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IB Biology pt. 2
IB History of the Americas pt. 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -IB History of the Americas pt. 2
IB Spanish V - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -IB Philosophy
IB English 11- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IB English 12
Yearbook - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Yearbook
Study Hall - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Study Hall
IB Theory of Knowledge pt. 1 (IB Requirement)- - IB Theory of Knowledge pt. 2

*NOTE: IB stands for International Baccalaureate, which is an internationally recognized rigorous course load that ends in a diploma that a select few earn. I am a candidate for the diploma. Our school doesn't have many AP classes, and the IB classes are considered equal to or tougher than AP. Also note that my Freshman and Sophomore schedules were all Honors, AP, or IB with an A grade avg. in each.*

Extracurriculars:
National Honors Society Officer (1 yr), Interact Club Officer (3 yrs), Civil Air Patrol (1 yr), Yearbook Editor (3 yrs), Church Group Member & Leader (5 yrs)
Athletics:
Cross Country: Varsity (9,10,11), Varsity Captain (10,11), Div. 2A State Runner-Up, All-Conference, All-Region, All-State Honors (9,10,11)
Track: Varsity (9,10,11) Varsity Captain (10,11), All-District, All-Conference, All-Region, All-State Honors (9,10, anticipated 11), 6th in state 4x400

 

[Vahopeful2021]

Those are some nice qualifications; better than some other potential applicants, not as good as others. My personal question regarding the "chance me posts" is does it make the applicant feel better after posting their resumes?

 

[flygirl17]

Those are some nice qualifications; better than some other potential applicants, not as good as others. My personal question regarding the "chance me posts" is does it make the applicant feel better after posting their resumes?

I would say no, unless people are telling me I'm in good shape! I personally don't feel that my resume is where it should be so I'm opening it to suggestion. Maybe some people do!

 

[Idzak]

Just a suggestion, boost the items that can be moved at this point. Take both SAT & ACT , take classes, get tutor, retake as often as possible. Train for the CFA and PFE to max.

 

[momofmod]

The IB is a bonus. Not very common but I have been told it has nice weight. My DS had quite a bit of leadership experience. Really the only thing that really stands out as lacking I see for you. Often "Captain" of a team is seen as a popularity contest won so not such a leadership role. Definitely go to Girl's State and work hard to be successful there. Good points on your application for attending, great points for being successful. Also, and this is based on my son's experience, a self started endeavor - new club, fund raiser you created for a cause, etc is a big deal. They want self starting, philanthropic, driven kids. This is completely based on his experience applying to USMA and USNA. Good luck!!!

 

[RickD_USAF]

A lot of good advice listed so I won't repeat what's been offered. But, in CAP, try to get into a leadership role. Get as high as you can. With two years left and a year under your belt try to get at least to the Earhart. Work hard on the SDA's and learn each staff position.

 

[flygirl17]

The IB is a bonus. Not very common but I have been told it has nice weight. My DS had quite a bit of leadership experience. Really the only thing that really stands out as lacking I see for you. Often "Captain" of a team is seen as a popularity contest won so not such a leadership role. Definitely go to Girl's State and work hard to be successful there. Good points on your application for attending, great points for being successful. Also, and this is based on my son's experience, a self started endeavor - new club, fund raiser you created for a cause, etc is a big deal. They want self starting, philanthropic, driven kids. This is completely based on his experience applying to USMA and USNA. Good luck!!!

Thank you so much! That's great advice.

 

[rjb]

I’d like to weigh in briefly on a topic that we often see on this forum: what are my chances? The admissions statistics for the past years can be found online. From a class rank, grade and test score perspective, it is easy to see where one stands. Here are some numbers for the Class of 2020:

· 40% of the class were in the top 10% of their high school class; 80% were in the top 25%.

· 80% had a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.

· Math scores, for the 25th to 75th percentiles, ranged from 610 – 690 on the SAT and from 26 – 32 on the ACT.

· Verbal ranged from 580 – 660 on the SAT and 26 – 30 on the ACT Reading.

I would venture that the majority of applicants fall within these ranges. If you fall below these numbers, getting an appointment would likely be a long shot unless you have something super working in your favor. The hard fact is roughly only one in five applicants received an appointment for the 2020 class. Most years there will be a parent on this forum who goes off on a rant complaining that highly qualified DD or DS didn’t receive an appointment. The math, however, is what it is. Four out of every five applicants, many with very good credentials, will not receive an appointment at the end of the day.

I’m not writing this to discourage people from applying. The only way one can be sure of not receiving an appointment is to not apply. However, queries like “what are my chances” don’t really serve much purpose. No one on this forum is going to be able to tell you anything more than what the admissions statistics indicate. All you can do is put together the best possible application, make sure you get everything in on time, keep your grades up through your senior year, stay in shape, and then keep your fingers crossed and hold your breath until you hear back from the Academy. Good luck to the applicants for the Class of 2021.

Queries like “what are my chances” don’t really serve much purpose. No one on this forum is going to be able to tell you anything more than what the admissions statistics indicate

 

[Idlewild]

Are you a recruited athlete?

 

[TennisDad]

Agree with TennisDad. In addition, the holistic admissions process is also key at CGA. Think of it this way...CGA is a big puzzle, which currently has approximately 974 pieces (cadets). All of those pieces are unique, and must have multiple facets to complete the puzzle. CGA has 25 intercollegiate teams, numerous clubs, musical groups, etc., that they must fill with pieces of the puzzle. In order for the Academy to function, each cadet must be able to participate in multiple roles. While test scores are very important, the Academy must have cadets that bring more to the corp as a whole.

The needs of the Academy to fill their "puzzle" is only known to Admissions, thus the "chance me" posts, like TennisDad said, are somewhat futile. The puzzle changes every year. An applicant can only put forth the best application that they are capable of, and then the Academy will decide if they are the piece that completes the puzzle. Good luck to all!

 

[flygirl17]

Queries like “what are my chances” don’t really serve much purpose. No one on this forum is going to be able to tell you anything more than what the admissions statistics indicate

Just to clarify for everyone, it's not that i want to know what my chances are, but more that I am seeking input on how to improve my application while I still have time. I realize that so many other factors go into being accepted.

 

[flygirl17]

Are you a recruited athlete?

I don't know if most D3 schools even begin their 'recruitment process' until it is closer to applications going in. I have talked with the coach and he seemed impressed with my academic/athletic numbers. He encouraged me to stay in touch with him, fill out a questionnaire, and apply for AIM. He said that I was the type of student athlete they were looking for. That's just CGA though. Navy, i'm not so sure about!

 

[RickD_USAF]

Just to clarify for everyone, it's not that i want to know what my chances are, but more that I am seeking input on how to improve my application while I still have time. I realize that so many other factors go into being accepted.

Just stay strong in academics, choose the AP/IB/IS/Honors courses if you can. Try to take Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, etc. Show them you're not "coasting" through HS and that you're challenging yourself. Continue with XC/Track. Look for leadership opportunities, especially with you already being in CAP. And, volunteer. The whole person concept is what they seek. You have a very good start and you're right in line in which where you need to be. Score well on your SAT/ACT and take them multiple times as the SA's superscore.

My DS is in CAP as well and a Spaatz cadet. He's also on the XC/Track team and he too is the Team Captain. He volunteers, is in the top 10% of his class out of 350, and scored a 1360 on his SAT just to highlight a few stats. He was also triple nominated in our state so his credentials are solid. He is still awaiting an answer from the USAFA, USCGA, and USNA. There is a good chance he won't get accepted to any, or there may be a slight chance he lands one. As others mentioned on here, it really varies from year-to-year.

In the interim, do look at Plans B-D. My DS submitted for a AFROTC scholarship as a back up plan and he did get awarded one. So, do consider other options.

Best of luck. Your start is impressive, stay the course and you should be ok.

 

[flygirl17]

Just stay strong in academics, choose the AP/IB/IS/Honors courses if you can. Try to take Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, etc. Show them you're not "coasting" through HS and that you're challenging yourself. Continue with XC/Track. Look for leadership opportunities, especially with you already being in CAP. And, volunteer. The whole person concept is what they seek. You have a very good start and your right in line where you need to be. Score well on your SAT/ACT and take them multiple times as the SA's superscore.

My DS is in CAP as well and a Spaatz cadet. He's also on the XC/Track team and he too is the Team Captain. He volunteers, is in the top 10% of his class out of 350, and scored a 1360 on his SAT just to highlight a few stats. He was also triple nominated in our state so his credentials are solid. He is still awaiting an answer from the USAFA, USCGA, and USNA. There is a good chance he won't get accepted to any, or there may be a chance he lands one. As others mentioned on here, it really varies from year-to-year.

In the interim, do look at Plans B-D. My DS submitted for a AFROTC scholarship as a back up plan and he did get awarded one. So, do consider other options.

Best of luck. Your start is impressive, stay the course and you should be ok.

Thanks for all the advice! I will definitely make use of it. Right now I'm just trying to keep my academics solid while making time for the rest of it! Fingers crossed that your son gets in! His stats are very impressive.

 

[RickD_USAF]

I don't know if most D3 schools even begin their 'recruitment process' until it is closer to applications going in. I have talked with the coach and he seemed impressed with my academic/athletic numbers. He encouraged me to stay in touch with him, fill out a questionnaire, and apply for AIM. He said that I was the type of student athlete they were looking for. That's just CGA though. Navy, i'm not so sure about!

I'm not sure what your times are or the technical difficulty of your XC courses but being All-state I would assume they are very good. In our conversations with Coach B at the USCGA when we visited he stated as a starting point he wanted my DS to be at a 17:00. Unfortunately, he fell short by about a minute this season. I would believe that your times would be easily competitive for D3. Now, in terms of the USNA which is D1 that's a bit different. I know a runner who ran for our rival HS and she put up times basically around the 19:00 mark or so and she is running for the USNA as a C/4C. So, if your times are equivalent I would think there may be a chance.

 

[No1Fanof2]

USNA usually has a very early recruitment process. USCGA late soph to junior year is typical. The service academies do have some late offers given. All the students I have known who were interested in the service academies and athletically slated were on the radar no later than soph year. Fall of 2012 USNA already extended a verbal to 2016 student during the spring of her 9th grade year. Found this out at tournament that fall. Although this was a completely different sport and specialized position.

You are in a good position to be in. Try to do AIM this summer. You will have a some time during AIM to meet up with the coach.

 

[MIJ]

I don't know if most D3 schools even begin their 'recruitment process' until it is closer to applications going in. I have talked with the coach and he seemed impressed with my academic/athletic numbers. He encouraged me to stay in touch with him, fill out a questionnaire, and apply for AIM. He said that I was the type of student athlete they were looking for. That's just CGA though. Navy, i'm not so sure about!

Definitely stay in contact with the coach and they are recruiting way before it is close to applications going in so you will want to stay on his radar. If at all possible try to take a visit to the campus. With spring coming up you would want to try and have it coincide with a track meet so you can get a feel for that aspect. You would most likely be able have a chance to sit down and talk to the coach as well.

 

[alaska66]

Tennis Dad quoted what I responded on another thread concerning "chances" posts. Looking at your post, and for others that read this, let me make one thing clear...high level math and science courses are imperative to have in order to be successful at CGA. You have listed IB Math 2 and Statistics. Which IB math level are you? SL or HL? Most students have taken AP Calculus A/B, and many B/C and higher. You also list Biology. You will not see biology related science at CGA unless you are a MES major. However you will have to pass Calculus I and II, Chemistry I and II, and Physics I and II (Gov majors only take Physics I) in the first two years at CGA. Those first two years at CGA are extremely difficult, heavy STEM, course loads. I have fielded numerous messages from parents shocked when their 4.0 super-star child fails two classes their first semester. Preparation is the key.

As for recruited athletes, stay in contact with the coaching staff at CGA. They are very open to discuss your future as related to their teams.

 

[Stealth_81]

Often "Captain" of a team is seen as a popularity contest won so not such a leadership role.

This is absolutely not true. Captainship of a sports team adds substantial points to an application. All of the academies recognize being a team captain as a leadership plus. Perhaps at your HS they may be popularity contests, but overall the academies regard them highly.

Stealth_81

 

[Tmamon]

I don't know if most D3 schools even begin their 'recruitment process' until it is closer to applications going in. I have talked with the coach and he seemed impressed with my academic/athletic numbers. He encouraged me to stay in touch with him, fill out a questionnaire, and apply for AIM. He said that I was the type of student athlete they were looking for. That's just CGA though. Navy, i'm not so sure about!

That sounds great. About the same as the timeline with my DS and his coach. AIM is awesome. The summer before his senior year was when he solidified himself as a recruited athlete so all this looks about right. DS was appointed during EA and your coach will help let you know to do EA or RA. Good luck.