I need an honest "what are my odds" thread

Nomak54

Nomak54

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Mar 27, 2018
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187
I know there's a sticky but I'm receiving mixed answers

I'm getting so nervous reading other people's "chance me" threads and seeing that they have these amazing achievements and rather high scores and grades. I can't help but think if people like them worried then I can't stand a chance.

For starters, I got an 1150 on the SAT, 560 reading 590 math. I'm taking the ACT next week but the soonest I can retake the SAT won't be until August.

I have about no athletics for my high school career. I was involved in a few things before 9th grade but it's not like I was ever good at anything. I just barely made it on my JV baseball team and I doubt I'll make varsity next year. Even then, baseball won't be until March-ish which is near the deadline :(
Speaking of physical ability, I'm not in the best shape. I'm no where near the maximums for the test. I just only recently been able to run a mile without stopping, it took me about 9:37.

Although I volunteer for my school every now and then I don't really have any volunteer hours.
I have a part time job but it's really nothing special, just a fast food place. I had it for about 7 months and I work 10-15 hours a week.
I'm hoping to get into this Navy Sea Cadets Corps but it may be unlikely. If I don't I might be able to volunteer for it when I turn 18

I participated in just two clubs:
Business Professionals of America and our school's volunteer club. I never held any senior positions, I was by BPA's club's historian if that counts for anything. If it counts, I'm working with a teacher to try to create a JROTC inspired club for next year.
I don't know if this matters but if it counts as a "leadership position" I was a "class rep" in a certain class. It basically entailed that I organized projects, scheduled presentations, keep everyone on task, identify any issues regarding the class's work, and seeing what I can do to overall improve the class. My teacher in this class graduated from USNA and he's been personally helping me with applying to the school and becoming a good leader.

I don't know my official GPA yet but from my calculations it's about 3.71. I took 1 dual enrollment course for this year (US history), everything honors. and I'm taking 3 AP classes next year (Calc AC, World, Phys) and honors English, along with a couple college courses from a local college in Political Science and Engineering. I may be able to take college classes over the summer which will allow me to take Calc BC. If this helps, Our school is a charter school that's organized to prepare students for college, so it's arguably rigorous.

If there's anything else to note, I personally meet my house representative (Delaware, Mrs. Rochester) and I organized to have her deliver a speech at our high school.

That's it I think... I don't know if it's good or not. I did not have a good freshman and sophmore year, often getting an average of C's. It feels like I'm cramming everything in my senior year to make up for it :(
I got accepted into the Summer Seminar, at least. I thought, it might be a long shot but I might've had a chance. However my hopes keep dwindling. Is there anything I can do to help my odds?
 
You have time to recover, but it will take effort and commitment on your part. You already know what you have to do. Do your best, give it your all. The only way to ever know for sure is to apply and see what happens. You should also apply to a ROTC program as a backup. That same advice applies to absolutely stellar candidates as well. One never knows what's going to get one admitted. They look at the whole person - scholar, athlete, leadership. Try cross country in the autumn (if that's when it's in season in your neck of the woods. Gives you some athletics and can help you improve your running. You need to improve there if you want to go into the military via any path. Good luck!
 
I forgot about cross country, I'll try out for that, and applying for the ROTC program as well. Thanks for the advice!
 
Nomak54, maybe it's just me, but I'm reading a lot of negativity in your post. Negativity does you no good. As Kinnem said, you know what you need to do. Comparing yourself to others who have been accepted is good for goal setting, but don't drive yourself crazy trying to compare every last detail with everyone out there. Focus on improving wherever you can and stay positive. Being nervous and worrying is counterproductive and just saps energy from things you can control. Make sure you really want to be an officer first and if you do USNA is a great path, but not the only path. Explore all options, put your best foot forward and focus on what you can control. Get in the best shape you can, do well in the toughest classes you can take and look for leadership opportunities in areas that interest you. If you truly do the best you can that's all anyone can ask of you, including yourself.

If this is what you want give it your best shot, have solid backup plans and let things play out. As you'll often hear on this site, your chances are zero if you don't apply. Also remember, sometimes your "backup" plan ends up being the best path for you in the end. Good luck.

One other thing - stay out of trouble. Read the many posts from candidates worrying about how to handle alcohol related arrests, experimentation with pot, etc.
 
OP -- There is only one certainty in the application process -- 100% of those that don't apply don't get in.

My big question as a BGO is why do you want to attend a Service Academy ? Do you have the commitment necessary to do everything in your power to get in ? USNA is looking for a combination of academics, athletics, leadership and community service. Look at the Admissions website ..there is an Class Profile published each year that identifies stats for the incoming class. Even if you fall within the stats, there is always a chance that you won't be accepted if the other applicants have a better record. Admission to USNA is very competitive, and alot of very good candidates get passed over each year.

Finally, don't read to much into all these "Chance Me" threads. The advice given is well intentioned, but often comes from another applicant or a parent with a single data point, i.e. their own successful application. or what they've read here. I've been a BGO for 15+ years, and I am still surprised by Admissions from time to time.
 
I am going to echo the sentiments of many of the posters that have responded already. You know what areas you need to address and given the drive and desire, you will certainly make marked improvements in those areas that will serve you well.

Be mindful of how you word your accomplishments. Although you may not think they measure up to some standard that you have seen published on an anonymous website, they are your ACCOMPLISHMENTS none the less. Word them as such:

Instead of posting "I participated in just two clubs"...post: I participated in two clubs. Avoid using "I don't" and chose to list what you "do".

I recognize your concern with not having a good freshman or sophomore year. However, it is not what happened that is of concern, it is how you reacted and what you did about it. When you think of our greatest leaders, they all faced adversity and failure. It was their actions in the face of failure that truly defined who they were .

None of us can tell you whether or not you will be an accepted candidate into one of the Service Academies. I would encourage you to take this time to determine what type of leader you wish to become and how to best accomplish that. The path to that end will become clearer with time.

...just my two cents...
 
Just curious ... What Session are you going to for the NASS. I'm participating in session 1 !

Good luck with your application and don't give up!
 
Hey wanted to pop in and say thank to everyone for the advice. I'll have to really give it my all in the coming months. Thanks.

Crudis2001 said:
Just curious ... What Session are you going to for the NASS. I'm participating in session 1 !

Good luck with your application and don't give up!
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Relax. Do your best. The truth is no one knows what your odds are. As for people putting out their resumes, no one candidate is perfect and that’s what makes applying to any of the Academies so difficult. Good Luck! You know you have to work on some things, we all do. Just keep plugging away and do your best.
 
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