In Need of Some Advice

B

buffalobill2003

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Joined
Apr 8, 2020
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11
I'm currently a junior in high school and have been wanting to attend USNA for some time now. Many of my family members have gone and they are very successful aviators now, and I would love to follow in their footsteps. I play basketball and golf, grades are decent (A's and B's), I take a few AP courses, do community service, and am currently studying to get the best grades on the SAT/ACT/AP Exams that I can get. However, I don't know of anything else I can do to set me aside from the rest, I'm not a captain on the basketball or golf team, and I'm not involved in too many leadership roles such as student government. Will that hurt me? What else can I do to strengthen my resume for my application?
 
One thing you could do is ask your successful family members! USNA for sure wants to see leadership!
 
The SAs all want to see leadership. Do you have any extracurriculars that have leadership positions? Do you do anything outside of school activities? Are you in NHS? Maybe you could get leadership there. Usually there's Boys/Girls State, but probably not this year. How can you show leadership in your community service? Get creative. It's a very important part of the application.
 
You are absolutely right, I'm going to push for and seek out opportunities for more leadership positions in my ECA's and community service. Thank you for your advice, it's much appreciated.
 
I usually tell people in your situation to take advantage of the summer b/t their junior and senior years. That may be more of a challenge this year. It's also a GREAT opportunity. You have time right now. Think about what you might do this summer even with the challenges of COVID-19 or better yet to overcome the challenges of COVID-19. Listen to the news -- lots of entities face challenges. Nursing homes. Animal shelters. Food banks. And on and on. They all will eventually "reopen." What might you do -- with the help of some of your friends -- to help the transition back?

This requires (1) lots of thought, (2) planning, (3) organization, and (4) action. That's what great leaders do. There are endless possibilities. This can be YOUR project -- something you start and drive to a successful finish. Obviously, you should consult your parents and ensure what you do is in line with the current social distancing guidelines in your state. But I believe that the next few months will present a world of opportunity to lead.

Also, if your school is remote learning, be sure to study and do well. Keep your grades up. If your school is not remote learning, consider teaching yourself something. Try to start learning a language. Or take an on-line course in something you've never done before (botany, anatomy, car mechanics -- whatever interests you). Learn to play chess. Teach yourself to crochet. Read all about Japanese history. Whatever. Just use this time wisely and meaningfully -- something more than binge-watching TV series and playing video games.

Study for the ACT/SAT. There are plenty of on-line tools or even books you can order to self-prep. The tests will eventually start up again -- use this time to prepare.

Work out. You have plenty of time to train for the CFA. You may not be able to take it right away due to social distancing and gyms being closed, but you can get into the best shape of your life so that when things do open up, you're ready to go.

Finally, it's great to have a family of USNA/USN types. However, don't for a minute think that will make any meaningful difference in your application b/c it won't. They can provide great insight and advice to you along the path, but the journey is yours alone! Embrace it.

Best of luck.
 
Thank you, this is for sure a great opportunity to overcome challenges. I will be packing up lunches with the school to be delivered to kids who need them. Hopefully this will lead to leadership opportunity within and out of the school as well as leadership in other areas. I'm going to keep my eyes open for opportunities around the community. We are in fact doing remote learning. However since next week is considered our official spring break, the teachers will not be handing out work for that week. I will take that time to study hard for all of my tests/exams and stay in shape. Thank you for your advice, all of it is used and much appreciated.
 
usna1985 said:
This requires (1) lots of thought, (2) planning, (3) organization, and (4) action. That's what great leaders do. There are endless possibilities. This can be YOUR project -- something you start and drive to a successful finish. Obviously, you should consult your parents and ensure what you do is in line with the current social distancing guidelines in your state. But I believe that the next few months will present a world of opportunity to lead.
Click to expand...

Look up the Travis Manion Foundation if you haven't heard of them. They can help provide amazing opportunities for self-led service projects through Operation Legacy (and are connected to USNA with an amazing backstory).
When you volunteer, make sure you do it because you genuinely want to help- not just to look good on an application.
 
buffalobill2003 said:
I'm currently a junior in high school and have been wanting to attend USNA for some time now. Many of my family members have gone and they are very successful aviators now, and I would love to follow in their footsteps. I play basketball and golf, grades are decent (A's and B's), I take a few AP courses, do community service, and am currently studying to get the best grades on the SAT/ACT/AP Exams that I can get. However, I don't know of anything else I can do to set me aside from the rest, I'm not a captain on the basketball or golf team, and I'm not involved in too many leadership roles such as student government. Will that hurt me? What else can I do to strengthen my resume for my application?
Click to expand...


Use the Search tool her in SAF to find all the “chance me” threads - the ones
xc2024 said:
Look up the Travis Manion Foundation if you haven't heard of them. They can help provide amazing opportunities for self-led service projects through Operation Legacy (and are connected to USNA with an amazing backstory).
When you volunteer, make sure you do it because you genuinely want to help- not just to look good on an application.
Click to expand...
A good link for the story of Travis Manion and Brendan Looney:

parade.com

Brothers Forever: How Two Friends Came to Rest Side by Side at Arlington National Cemetery

When best friends Travis Manion and Brendan Looney died defending their country, their families honored their unbreakable bond in the most profound of ways: by
parade.com parade.com
 
Wow, that was a fantastic story. Very moving.
 
xc2024 said:
Look up the Travis Manion Foundation if you haven't heard of them. They can help provide amazing opportunities for self-led service projects through Operation Legacy (and are connected to USNA with an amazing backstory).
When you volunteer, make sure you do it because you genuinely want to help- not just to look good on an application.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the help bro i'll look into it.
 
Capt MJ said:
Use the Search tool her in SAF to find all the “chance me” threads - the ones

A good link for the story of Travis Manion and Brendan Looney:

parade.com

Brothers Forever: How Two Friends Came to Rest Side by Side at Arlington National Cemetery

When best friends Travis Manion and Brendan Looney died defending their country, their families honored their unbreakable bond in the most profound of ways: by
parade.com parade.com
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing, must be cut onions nearby, eyes are leaking.
 
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