Request for some feedback on my application

S.a.b.e.s

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Oct 1, 2019
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Hi all!!

As a current senior, I've seen so many positive threads of candidates posting their profiles and getting feedback. I'm here hoping for the same constructive criticism.

For background, I was accepted as a candidate to USAFA, USMA, and USNA, however, as my main reason for wanting to enlist is to become a Surface Warfare Officer and be part of a supportive family, I have since closed my applications to USAFA and USMA. They are both fabulous schools but USNA would be the best school to achieve my post-graduation goals.

Athletics and CFA:
I was on the bowling team my freshman and sophomore years of high school (I know it sounds strange but it's really fun!!) Once I decided I was going to try and apply to a service academy during my sophomore year, I joined Varsity Track my junior year, and Varsity XC and Track for senior year. I have continued bowling for all 4 years and am the captain for my senior year. A bi-weekly trip to the gym to lift and row rounds out my workouts at this point. I'm not big into lifting, however, I'm aware that the benefits are numerous. I discovered a love for running after I joined track and wish I would have joined sooner.

As for the CFA, I haven't officially taken it yet, however, I did a time trial and my scores are below. (These are the best of each try)

B-Ball Throw: 43 ft
Pull-up: 1 (this was a very questionable pull-up so it may not have actually counted)
Shuttle Run: 8.9 sec
Crunches: 74
Push-ups: 32 (the last few were also questionable so it is probably closer to 30)
1 mile: 7:05

This is going to be one of my biggest struggles during the admissions process so any advice helps!


Academics:
Freshman year: All honors / Straight A's
Sophomore year: All honors and 1 AP / Mix of A's and High B's with a C in Algebra 2
Junior Year: All honors and 2 AP/ Mix of A's and High B's with a low B in Calculus
Senior Year: I am registered for 4.5 AP classes and the rest honors

ACT: 32 (super score, the highest individual is a 31)
Math: 27 Science: 33 English: 32 Reading: 34
**I am registered to take the ACT again in a few weeks**

SAT: 1330
Math: 610 Reading: 720

Nominations/Interview/DoDMERB:
- Sent to both senators and my congressman this week. I will be submitting the VP this weekend and I am not eligible for any other nomination sources.
- I don't have an assigned BGO in the portal yet so I have not reached out
- DoDMERB hasn't reached out yet and if they don't within the next few weeks then I will email my counselor

Extracurriculars:
I have been really involved over the last 4 years. A few highlights are an Operation Gratitude Candy Collection I started freshman year that has collected over 1,504 lbs of candy, a mental health awareness week I organized and ran my sophomore year and multiple leadership positions in clubs and student government. I am also a huge theater person and have done several shows in addition to being in choirs in school and some with our local University. As a pianist of 13 years, I also teach younger kids at a studio about 6 hours a week and play the organ at several local churches. I'm feeling pretty comfortable with my leadership and with my ECA's so if you have any feedback it would be appreciated, but I'm not that concerned about this category.

USNA Application
My counselor has filled out the CAR and CAI. She hasn't confirmed my ECAs yet because those emails haven't gone out yet. I have gotten my English recommendation in addition to 2 other recommendations. My math teacher for this year also had me for sophomore year, however, since I struggled greatly with math that year, she thought it would be best to wait to finish her recommendation until I have finished the first quarter of senior year so she can write about that as well. My high school transcript is on its way in the mail, and so far my ACT has gone into the system. I haven't done my personal essay yet (I know I need to get on that!) but will submit it soon.

I believe that is it. Thank you so much for bearing through the post to this point. WOW, it was suuuper long!!! I hope I didn't give the impression of bragging at all, I am simply trying to give just enough information for people to give feedback. Like I said, any feedback helps!!

Thank you so much and good luck to any other candidates for the Class of 2025!! We are applying to service academies and other colleges in such a weird time, but we are going to be so much better for it and all will work out in the end! Keep pushing!

Respectfully,
Sabra
 
You write that you're planning on taking the ACT again, but nothing about the SAT. Why? You really should take the SAT again.
Look at the USNA class portrait: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/Class-Portrait.php
1520 is the high end average of SAT scores, while 1250 is the low end average (and just barely above the national average). Your 1330 puts you in the lower half of those figures - or in other words - average. Not bad, but not noticeably different than the rest.

The CFA numbers look pretty good for a female. Did you get those numbers doing the entire CFA as you should (with someone timing your stages and rest times)? If you didn't, you need to do it that way. The CFA isn't hard, but it is a LOT harder when you do it all together according to the rules. More pull ups and push ups would be good. You only get better at those by doing more pull ups and push ups, so keep doing them. Also, keep running. The only way to get better at running is to run. If you can do a 7-minute mile like it's nothing, then you will be in a lot better place than someone who just barely gets over the line at 7 minutes. Running is the single best thing that will prepare you for the physical demands of USNA.
 
Thank you for your feedback!! I will try and schedule another SAT date. My counselor suggested trying to retake the higher of the two scores to have a better shot. I can see where trying to get the SAT up could boost my application.

As for the CFA, I took that trial consecutively over the allotted 40 minutes and had a friend time and count. I can usually run a faster mile, but after doing the push-ups and crunches, I was getting cramps. It sounds like a good practice strategy would be to do the events before I go out for my run each day and to keep running in prep for USNA.

Thank you so much!!!!!
 
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I concur with @THParent ... I see from your profile that you are a female. So, your CFA individual event measurements are decent. Improving your Pull-ups and Mile time would look really great.

Work on your Math, KahnAcademy and College board practice tests every day, then take the SAT/ACT to improve your Math scores. Try to get the Math above 680 SAT equivalent and higher. At or above this point puts you past the Middle Quartile mean (Kurtosis peak).

Your verbal doesn’t need work. Leave it alone.
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No need to reach out to DODMERB at this time. They will reach out to you when enough stuff is in and remember, "in" is not the day it is mailed.

ACT/SAT is low. I'll differ here and tell you that ONE of them has to go up a fair amount. Those numbers look to be close to the lower acceptable numbers BUT, unless you're a current serviceperson, recruited athlete or other category, they are kind of low for a "regular" applicant and in a competitive area, they are well below your competition. That said, we are in a pandemic and people are scrambling to get even their first scores so kudos for having SOMETHING on the books at this point. You clearly understand that your Sophomore and Junior year math grades were not great, a good thing for you to do would be to hit the standardized math test out of the park. Make sure that you are drilling A LOT to prepare for it.

By the way "enlist" and Surface Warfare Officer are not congruent because Officers do not enlist.
 
Agree with advice above.
Being new to all this, you probably do not realize that “enlist” is not applicable to your path right now. You are applying for a pre-commissioning program at a service academy which will induct you into active duty status with a rank of “midshipman,” with a goal of earning a commission as an officer at the same time as a B.S.

Enlisting refers to those in the services who enter via an enlistment contract, no college degree required (though most take advantage of the many military educational programs). Enlisted personnel are the heart and soul of any armed service, the technical wizards, the hands-on people, the folks who get it all done under an officer’s direction, ably assisted (or rescued!) by his or her senior enlisted, experienced leaders themselves. It is a two-way partnership, which at its best, is rooted in mutual respect and trust leading to accomplishment of the mission.

I went to this great length because you cannot learn too early in the process of becoming a junior officer to respect and appreciate enlisted personnel. They chose a different path. Never disparage them or denigrate their human value as somehow “less than.” They may be junior and subordinate to you in rank, but that is an organizational distinction.

Good luck! And no need to use your name in posts. Unlike personal social media, this is an anonymous Internet forum. Protect your privacy.
 
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Here’s a gift, because I appreciate the fact you want to serve in the classic path of a surface warfare officer. This is a good video - stirring music and beautiful shots of various classes of surface ships at sea. I could swear I smell and feel the salt spray.

Stay focused on your goal. I hope you are working alternate plans that involve college NROTC, as a path that takes you to the same goal.

 
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Your SAT scores currently set up for a great opportunity. With superscoring, it is much easier to raise the lower one 100 than both 50 had they been relatively equal. And SAT seems easier to focus on one than the ACT.

Your obvious weakness (which you discuss) is your math (scores and grades). Knock the fall semester class out of the park, and do Khan or whatever SAT math practice you can.

Also, I like your own suggestion of doing some pushups, planks, etc before you run each day to get used to those "cramps". Knowing they are coming and that you can run through them will help you run your faster time when its for real.

Good luck...
 
Enlisted personnel are the heart and soul of any armed service, the technical wizards, the hands-on people, the folks who get it all done under an officer’s direction, ably assisted (or rescued!) by his or her senior enlisted, experienced leaders themselves. It is a two-way partnership, which at its best, is rooted in mutual respect and trust leading to accomplishment of the mission.

This gave me chills reading. The idea that everyone is working towards the same goal and just using their own strengths to achieve it is so inspiring and reminds me exactly why I want to be part of the military. It seems like respect is the biggest thing that can help an officer achieve success in leading and that is such an important lesson. Thank you, and I will keep that in my mind as I go forward. Also, that video gave me chills. I can't wait to be out with the fleet!!

I am looking into NROTC as well. I have several colleges lined up to apply to. I opened applications I am just trying to get a feel for schools so I can narrow down my list. Haven't really found any that I love yet, but I know I will find one. Do you have any suggestions for schools with good NROTC programs?
 
Work on your Math, KahnAcademy and College board practice tests every day, then take the SAT/ACT to improve your Math scores. Try to get the Math above 680 SAT equivalent and higher. At or above this point puts you past the Middle Quartile mean (Kurtosis peak).
Your obvious weakness (which you discuss) is your math (scores and grades). Knock the fall semester class out of the park, and do Khan or whatever SAT math practice you can.

So it sounds as though there are many hours of math review and study in my future...
Thanks for your feedback on this!!!
 
So it sounds as though there are many hours of math review and study in my future...
Thanks for your feedback on this!!!
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KahnAcademy has 10-15 question Math “Sprint” quizzes you can do after each Set of 2-3 “Core” practice areas. Do those Core practices and Sprints every day. Take 1 or 2 days off during the week to let your Brain synapses rebuild and reassociate.

Kahn captures the areas you need work in. Let Kahn do it’s job.

Do half the written questions from 1 of 8 math sections in the College Board “Old Tests” once per week. Your Pencil and Paper skills must be exercised too. The Test is Pencil and Paper .... not computer admin.
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I am looking into NROTC as well. I have several colleges lined up to apply to. I opened applications I am just trying to get a feel for schools so I can narrow down my list. Haven't really found any that I love yet, but I know I will find one. Do you have any suggestions for schools with good NROTC programs?
It really depends what you're looking for in an NROTC unit, and also want to get out of the school. Feel free to DM me and I'll go into more detail about my experience/units I've heard good things about.
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
...Your Pencil and Paper skills must be exercised too. The Test is Pencil and Paper...

That is great advice that I never thought of, being an old curmudgeon. I wonder how foreign using a pencil (in lieu of a pen) is today with young people? I wouldn't be surprised if it is. I am starting to run into people who actually don't know how to read analog time. I never thought I would see that.
 
Do you have any suggestions for schools with good NROTC programs?
Pick a school based on the school, your major, it's location, how you like it, etc. If it's a school you'll thrive at, then you'll thrive in its NROTC program. All programs teach the same Naval Science courses and do the same training. Some might be better at some aspects than others, but you'll find that what you get out of an NROTC program is directly proportional to what you put into it.

Remember, if worse comes to worse, that you can enroll in NROTC without a scholarship. There are opportunities to be awarded a scholarship while in the program.
 
This gave me chills reading. The idea that everyone is working towards the same goal and just using their own strengths to achieve it is so inspiring and reminds me exactly why I want to be part of the military. It seems like respect is the biggest thing that can help an officer achieve success in leading and that is such an important lesson. Thank you, and I will keep that in my mind as I go forward. Also, that video gave me chills. I can't wait to be out with the fleet!!

I am looking into NROTC as well. I have several colleges lined up to apply to. I opened applications I am just trying to get a feel for schools so I can narrow down my list. Haven't really found any that I love yet, but I know I will find one. Do you have any suggestions for schools with good NROTC programs?

Research where you feel you would thrive - size, location, majors, reputation, any factors that matter to you. If you are happy at a school, then you will be happier at the ROTC unit, and likely more successful.

The rule of thumb in the military is that 30% of the assigned military turn over every year. What makes a unit good is its culture and leadership. The assigned officers and enlisted personnel will change over the four years you are in it, so the culture will also change, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Bottom line, don’t sweat that too much. Theoretically, the program is the same throughout the NROTC world.

Browse the ROTC forum for strategies. Many choose a reach school or two, a moderate reach and a “safe” school. And, do not worry if you get a scholarship but find you can’t get into the schools. There are ways to transfer the scholarship and schools that have late application deadlines.

Be sure to read every page, link and menu item on the NROTC site. That is your primary source.

The school NROTC unit will have its own website. Go there, look at the photos, read the FAQs.

Finally, one person’s “good” could be your “ugh.”
 
That is great advice that I never thought of, being an old curmudgeon. I wonder how foreign using a pencil (in lieu of a pen) is today with young people? I wouldn't be surprised if it is. I am starting to run into people who actually don't know how to read analog time. I never thought I would see that.
When I filled in at the front desk at the high school, there were kids and adults who would look up from the student sign out sheet, glance at the analog clock on the wall and just stare at it blankly. Sometimes their faces would schrunch up, sometimes they would blink several times. There would be an awkward silence at which point they inevitably pulled out their phone and then jotted down the time. It was so painful to see and sooo sad.
 
When I filled in at the front desk at the high school, there were kids and adults who would look up from the student sign out sheet, glance at the analog clock on the wall and just stare at it blankly. Sometimes their faces would schrunch up, sometimes they would blink several times. There would be an awkward silence at which point they inevitably pulled out their phone and then jotted down the time. It was so painful to see and sooo sad.
As an older gentleman I find myself wondering how (someday) these people will pass their annual Medicare assessment where you have to draw a clockface to indicate some given time. Like the Corps, many will be called, few will be chosen.
 
As an older gentleman I find myself wondering how (someday) these people will pass their annual Medicare assessment where you have to draw a clockface to indicate some given time. Like the Corps, many will be called, few will be chosen.

Or worse, how they will be able to accurately judge your scores when you have the same test...
 
The rule of thumb in the military is that 30% of the assigned military turn over every year. What makes a unit good is its culture and leadership. The assigned officers and enlisted personnel will change over the four years you are in it, so the culture will also change, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Bottom line, don’t sweat that too much. Theoretically, the program is the same throughout the NROTC world.
This is a very good point. 30% turnover can actually be somewhat low for NROTC units, I have heard of entire staff turnover (other than civilian employees) in under a year. Another side to this is that when you're looking at the units, don't look necessarily look to the staff. The midshipman there will give you a much better view of the lasting culture and how the unit operates as a whole.

Additionally, you should know that the staff are overwhelmingly going to be very good. Although not a career advancing billet (from what I've heard), NROTC billets are not something people just get dumped in. Many of the officers tend to be highly competent and either pursuing higher education or transferring out of the service.
 
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