Importance of certain extracirriculars

mightyeighth1944

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Oct 7, 2024
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Hey all,
I’m a junior in high school and I really want to go to the academy. I was curious though as to how influential it is to participate in activities such as Civil Air Patrol, Boys State, JROTC, Eagle Scouting, and other military-related extracurriculars. Does admissions like these military style EC’s a lot more than other extracirriculars (excluding sports)?
I’ve been focused on USAFA for the last 6 months now. I had never heard of Civil Air Patrol until recently, my school doesn’t have a JROTC troop, and I stopped scouting in 6th grade. But I do plan on applying to New York Boys State.
My other extracirriculars include -
Tennis (4 years varsity, going to be captain senior year)
Wrestling (3 years, 1 varsity)
Member of my town’s volunteer youth ambulance corps
DECA 3x state qualifier
2 year member of my schools Turning Point USA chapter
Tennis coach full time during the summer
Avid Spartan race runner (but I doubt I would include that on the application)
Plan on obtaining at least 50 community service hours for my local VFW, already have a lot of hours from doing youth EMS/ambulance corps.

The academic side of my application is looking pretty good- I can elaborate on that further but 4.0 gpa and currently studying for SAT and ACT. Many AP classes. My main concern is just if my extracurriculars need work. Anyone please let me know- I would appreciate it a lot. Thanks
 
Hey all,
I’m a junior in high school and I really want to go to the academy. I was curious though as to how influential it is to participate in activities such as Civil Air Patrol, Boys State, JROTC, Eagle Scouting, and other military-related extracurriculars. Does admissions like these military style EC’s a lot more than other extracirriculars (excluding sports)?
I’ve been focused on USAFA for the last 6 months now. I had never heard of Civil Air Patrol until recently, my school doesn’t have a JROTC troop, and I stopped scouting in 6th grade. But I do plan on applying to New York Boys State.
My other extracirriculars include -
Tennis (4 years varsity, going to be captain senior year)
Wrestling (3 years, 1 varsity)
Member of my town’s volunteer youth ambulance corps
DECA 3x state qualifier
2 year member of my schools Turning Point USA chapter
Tennis coach full time during the summer
Avid Spartan race runner (but I doubt I would include that on the application)
Plan on obtaining at least 50 community service hours for my local VFW, already have a lot of hours from doing youth EMS/ambulance corps.

The academic side of my application is looking pretty good- I can elaborate on that further but 4.0 gpa and currently studying for SAT and ACT. Many AP classes. My main concern is just if my extracurriculars need work. Anyone please let me know- I would appreciate it a lot. Thanks
Boys State is not military style and few folks consider Scouting to be military either.
All of the Service Academies "like" activities like those but its less about the military (or not) and more about the leadership. If you had 4H and did it for years, that would "count" as would a host of other activities.
You mention "studying for the SAT and ACT" but don't have scores listed. Take them ASAP to get started. DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE TO RECOMMEND IT. I prefer to see candidates start taking them in Sophomore or even Freshman year. The math in the SAT is not advanced.
 
Boys State is not military style and few folks consider Scouting to be military either.
All of the Service Academies "like" activities like those but its less about the military (or not) and more about the leadership. If you had 4H and did it for years, that would "count" as would a host of other activities.
You mention "studying for the SAT and ACT" but don't have scores listed. Take them ASAP to get started. DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE TO RECOMMEND IT. I prefer to see candidates start taking them in Sophomore or even Freshman year. The math in the SAT is not advanced.
Thank you. I took my PSAT today so I don’t have that score yet and I’m taking the SAT in November, December and ACT in December as well.
 
Thank you. I took my PSAT today so I don’t have that score yet and I’m taking the SAT in November, December and ACT in December as well.
For future reference for other candidates who may pull up this thread:

1. YOU decide when to take the SAT, not your school.
2. There is ABSOLUTELY no need to take the PSAT prior to taking the SAT
3. Even if you've taken the SAT a few times and had good scores, still take the PSAT as a Junior for potential National Merit Scholarship recognition. 4. It is possible, even likely that your school counselor has a different opinion on this but remember, the school counselor is generally focused on getting the average kid into the average university. Service Academy admissions are DIFFERENT and multiple tries on the tests are the norm.
 
It's great advice, and very relevant with the online SAT. It is funny that Collegeboard added desmos. Kind of compromises the math aspect of the test.
 
All of the Service Academies "like" activities like those but its less about the military (or not) and more about the leadership. If you had 4H and did it for years, that would "count" as would a host of other activities.
This is excellent advice. Congressional nominating boards/ interviews are looking for Quality leadership. If you are leading/ running a community charity, I would hold that in as much esteem as being a flight Commander in the Civil Air Patrol.

Nominating boards understand there is a balancing act between taking on leadership roles and making room for AP classes and that balance is something they look to see how you handle.
 
You don't have to take PSAT before SAT, but do take the PSAT your junior year to be eligible for national merit scholarships if you don't end up a t a Service Academy.
 
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