How to be more competitive and GPA vs Tests

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fhs1775

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I am currently a junior interested in the service academies. I applied to all of the seminars and have only heard back from 1 (USAFA, Rejected). I am a C/MAJ in my JROTC Battalion, the Raider (Think Sandhurst but watered down (a lot)) commander, Sabre Guard commander, and was the Color Guard Commander. I do the rifle (Varsity), academic and leadership teams as well for JROTC.
I was the president twice for my 4-H shooting sports club and am entering the 4th year of being the teen leader for air rifle. I won 1st for standing, 10th for kneeling, and 5th overall at a state shoot and was invited to the state invitational to try for the national team. I also won the county competition in the two years they had it. I am a junior fair board member going on 4 years for 4-H as well.
However, I have several problems. 1st I was a boy scout. But my troop was decommissioned before I made eagle. I am a Star Scout and served as Senior Patrol Leader for 1 1/2 years, a Patrol leader for 1 and 1/2 and an Assistant Patrol Leader for 1/2. I already had to join another troop and combined with the other activities I decided to scrap scouts instead of joining a third troop. How badly does it hurt my application that i failed to make eagle? Also, I am an IB student at my school however I am not doing well, I have a 3.4 and sinking unweighted GPA. However, I have decently high test scores (31 ACT, 10 Writing, 1300 PSAT) What is weighted higher? GPA or Tests?.
Lastly, I am a very short guy (65 Inches), but very big (190). I fail the height weight test by a lot but easily past the tape test (I am built like a packhorse and very strong) I know it already hurts my chances that I don't have a sport but do I need to start a huge weight loss program to have a chance? Also, I know I don't really have a chance at a congressman's recommendation (I am in TN07 which is very competitive and includes Fort Cambell), but do I have a decent shot at senatorial, vice presidential, or JROTC related nomination? I forgot to add I have over 500 hours of community service, Sorry for the very long post. thank you for your time for anyone who reads and especially those who reply.
 
No athletics and a low GPA. It’s not hard to see where the improvement needs to come.

You have some leadership positions, which is good.


Stealth_81
 
If your GPA is “3.4 and sinking,” you know what to do.

If your physical build prevents you from excelling at the CFA, you know what to do.

If you lack strong examples of what candidates typically get from athletics — teamwork, discipline, determination — then you know what to do.
 
31 ACT/1300 PSAT do not make you stand out in that regard and don't offset the other stuff. Much higher test scores can help offset stuff, emphasis on MUCH
 
I would imagine the SA weighs gpa and standardized tests about the same but may have some flexibility with the gpa. Meaning they also look at classes taken and the school. But you definitely need to work on pulling up or at least "not sinking" your GPA. Talk to the teachers to see what they recommend you do. If you are on a bubble between two grades, the teacher may be willing to bump you to the higher grade if you have taken the initiative to find out how to improve. Remember you are competing against many applicants with over 4.0 weighted and 3.8 unweighted. You have 2-3 months left for this semester. Is summer class an option? Will it do anything to help boost your gpa?

But I think your bigger dilemma is the physical/CFA. Playing a sport is not an absolute. Of course sports shows physicality, teamwork, time management , etc. If you can demonstrate all these attributes in other parts of your life/extracurricular activities, I think it will make up for the lack of sport. BUT with no sport you need to do VERY WELL on the CFA. You have time and this is all on you. First if you are overweight and it's due to diet issue, then change it. I'm not talking salad everyday. You need a good portion of protein, iron, carb, etc. My friend lost 10lbs in 1 month JUST by stopping soda intake (drank 2-3 cans a day). If you love to eat fast food, treat yourself one day a week. Second if you are not physically fit here are some suggestions:
1. start by just walking 30-60min every day.
2. find a coach at your school that is willing to help you. Coaches at my children's school are also teachers so they know a lot of students that are not on the sport. My DD asked an assistant basketball coach to help her improve on her strengthening so she can do the pullup and pushup.
3. I would guess a lot of spring sport training goes on during summer. Ask the coach if you can participate in the warm up exercises with the team.
4. find someone that will encourage you to go exercise. I know it's more difficult sometimes to work out on your own. When my DS was practicing for the CFA, I went out with him every night for a month. On days he didn't want to go, I would make him.
5. when practicing for the CFA, do it in the exact order that you have to test, with the time to rest and everything.

This is all about self motivation. Put out the best application you can and don't be left with "If I had only....." Good luck to you.
 
Good posts/replies above. The only thing I'll add is that your best MOC chance for a nomination is your TN07 Congressman. It's competitive, but you also have time to work on improving your resume and qualifications.
 
I really appreciate everyone's response. One thing I love about the Military Community is that they are straight forward and very helpful. Looks like I know what has to be done.
 
I'm a current high school and I went up for a visit this year. They put more weight on SAT/ACT than they do on GPA. Also they take High School %Rankings so if you go to a difficult high school but have a top 20% ranking that would help mitigate a lower GPA. I took the free Khan Academy Prep and it helped me get a strong SAT (1520) but you have to make sure you actually do it and not just sign up and put in an hour here and there.
 
GCarter said:
I'm a current high school and I went up for a visit this year. They put more weight on SAT/ACT than they do on GPA. Also they take High School %Rankings so if you go to a difficult high school but have a top 20% ranking that would help mitigate a lower GPA. I took the free Khan Academy Prep and it helped me get a strong SAT (1520) but you have to make sure you actually do it and not just sign up and put in an hour here and there.
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one of my problems is my district stopped doing rankings
 
fhs1775 said:
one of my problems is my district stopped doing rankings
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This could help you because if you get your SAT/ACT score up they would determine your percentage off of that. So if you are in the top 10% based on your SAT/ACT score they assume you would be top 10% in your class.
 
West Point is all about leadership and athletics but that only adds up to 40% of the application IIRC. The rest of your application is your academics, 60%, and what means a higher ACT/SAT score and a better GPA. You got leadership down it seems, but that's only 10%, and you gotta pass the CFA. I did average on it but I was a little taller than you and maybe 30 pounds lighter. Weight matters since you gotta worry about push ups, pull ups, and you might as well toss in sit ups in there as well.
 
hchen5041 said:
West Point is all about leadership and athletics but that only adds up to 40% of the application IIRC. The rest of your application is your academics, 60%, and what means a higher ACT/SAT score and a better GPA. You got leadership down it seems, but that's only 10%, and you gotta pass the CFA. I did average on it but I was a little taller than you and maybe 30 pounds lighter. Weight matters since you gotta worry about push ups, pull ups, and you might as well toss in sit ups in there as well.
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I got the CFT mostly down, I can do more situps and pushups in a minute than seconds and have a great basketball throw. however my mile and pushups are lacking so i have started a new routine incorporating military acft and trainings to fix that,
 
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