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Hey folks. So I had a 3.3 gpa with freshman and sophomore year. I plan to take these following classes Ap computer science principles Honors Technology II CHIS Argument/Ap Language & Compustion Business Law Italian III Ap environmental science Plane Solid Geom. What are the chances I can increase it, and being a decent candidate?
 
Chances you can increase your GPA depend on why you have a 3.3 so far. Is it because you were not a serious student or because the material was too tough or because you failed to ask for help when you needed it? You definitely do not need a 4.0 to be offered admission, but you do need to bear down and make academics a top priority, showing an improving trend this academic year. Business Law will not help you gain an offer of admission. They are looking most at your STEM classes. Does your school offer calculus or pre-calculus or is your plane geometry a prereq for more advanced math? Have you taken chemistry? That is a must for getting into KP (with only rare exceptions.) Can you take one math or science class at your local community college over the summer? With a low GPA, your SAT/ACT scores become even more important. Start preparing for those NOW and take at least one actual test during your junior year. You can find free prep resources online. My kids used Kaplan. Definitely work on your physical readiness through organized sports and find yourself a good leadership position or two this year, a position where you actually DO something to make a difference in your school or community. Good for you for looking ahead to your junior year. Remember that most admissions decisions are based off your first three years of high school, so now is the time to excel. Good luck!
 
kpmom2013 said:
Chances you can increase your GPA depend on why you have a 3.3 so far. Is it because you were not a serious student or because the material was too tough or because you failed to ask for help when you needed it? You definitely do not need a 4.0 to be offered admission, but you do need to bear down and make academics a top priority, showing an improving trend this academic year. Business Law will not help you gain an offer of admission. They are looking most at your STEM classes. Does your school offer calculus or pre-calculus or is your plane geometry a prereq for more advanced math? Have you taken chemistry? That is a must for getting into KP (with only rare exceptions.) Can you take one math or science class at your local community college over the summer? With a low GPA, your SAT/ACT scores become even more important. Start preparing for those NOW and take at least one actual test during your junior year. You can find free prep resources online. My kids used Kaplan. Definitely work on your physical readiness through organized sports and find yourself a good leadership position or two this year, a position where you actually DO something to make a difference in your school or community. Good for you for looking ahead to your junior year. Remember that most admissions decisions are based off your first three years of high school, so now is the time to excel. Good luck!
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I do look forward to change my schedule to a STEM class, do you think I can somehow increase it to a satisfactory GPA?
As for chemistry I took honors chemistry this year.
 
There is only so much you can try to increase your GPA by within the next few semesters. Make sure you balance your lower GPA with something else. As kpmom suggested, use your SAT/ACT to your advantage. Take as many as needed and make sure to score your best. Remember that it's not only grades that will get you into the academy, you need strong extracurriculars and leadership. You still have some time.

If you change your schedule to a STEM class, can you handle all of the work? STEM is very challenging and will take some time and work to understand. Make sure you can handle this if you decide to change. It could definitely help with your application.

Did you take Physics yet? Try to take this course if you haven't as it is part of the core curriculum.

Best of luck with your application.
 
dakiti~ said:
There is only so much you can try to increase your GPA by within the next few semesters. Make sure you balance your lower GPA with something else. As kpmom suggested, use your SAT/ACT to your advantage. Take as many as needed and make sure to score your best. Remember that it's not only grades that will get you into the academy, you need strong extracurriculars and leadership. You still have some time.

If you change your schedule to a STEM class, can you handle all of the work? STEM is very challenging and will take some time and work to understand. Make sure you can handle this if you decide to change. It could definitely help with your application.

Did you take Physics yet? Try to take this course if you haven't as it is part of the core curriculum.

Best of luck with your application.
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Thanks for responding,

I will be able to handle the STEM classes and see where I can go from then. As for the SAT/ACT, what score should I be aiming for at most?
 
zico said:
Thanks for responding,

I will be able to handle the STEM classes and see where I can go from then. As for the SAT/ACT, what score should I be aiming for at most?
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Study the demographics of the most recent class profile and use it as a guide to see what you should be aiming for.

Class Profile | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Summary Profile Class of 2026 The Class of 2026 reported to the Academy on Friday, 08 July 2022. The total incoming class was 253. The following is a brief summa
www.usmma.edu
 
zico said:
Thanks for responding,

I will be able to handle the STEM classes and see where I can go from then. As for the SAT/ACT, what score should I be aiming for at most?
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Always aim for the maximum (1600 for SAT or 36 for ACT).

USMMA really wants to see above a 30 (>600 I think, correct me if I'm wrong) in reading and above 700 in math.
 
dakiti~ said:
Always aim for the maximum (1600 for SAT or 36 for ACT).

USMMA really wants to see above a 30 (>600 I think, correct me if I'm wrong) in reading and above 700 in math.
Click to expand...
yeah, typically 1285. I'm aiming for at the minimum 1300+
 
usafacyclist2028 said:
Study the demographics of the most recent class profile and use it as a guide to see what you should be aiming for.

Class Profile | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Summary Profile Class of 2026 The Class of 2026 reported to the Academy on Friday, 08 July 2022. The total incoming class was 253. The following is a brief summa
www.usmma.edu
Click to expand...

I found this note interesting ...

**USMMA did not consider standardized tests for the Class of 2025

Is that a COVID thing and will they go back to using SAT/ACT scores for future classes?
 
KPEngineer said:
I found this note interesting ...

**USMMA did not consider standardized tests for the Class of 2025

Is that a COVID thing and will they go back to using SAT/ACT scores for future classes?
Click to expand...
Yes I believe they are going back to using SAT/ACT
 
Obviously, it is going to be different for every class, but for reference, I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA, 26 math, 32 English, and 28 superscore for the ACT. All of my AP classes were history classes and the highest math I took was precalculus, which I did not finish due to COVID.
 
Usmma 24’ said:
Obviously, it is going to be different for every class, but for reference, I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA, 26 math, 32 English, and 28 superscore for the ACT. All of my AP classes were history classes and the highest math I took was precalculus, which I did not finish due to COVID.
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I did some calculations, estimating I manage to uphold a 4.00 GPA in my Junior year, I can get around 3.55 or more. But yeah I'd be focusing on the ACT/SAT
 
Usmma 24’ said:
Obviously, it is going to be different for every class, but for reference, I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA, 26 math, 32 English, and 28 superscore for the ACT. All of my AP classes were history classes and the highest math I took was precalculus, which I did not finish due to COVID.
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were you a recruited athlete?
 
Yes I was, but I later spoke to the head coach and learned that it had no effect on my admission to the school
 
Usmma 24’ said:
Obviously, it is going to be different for every class, but for reference, I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA, 26 math, 32 English, and 28 superscore for the ACT. All of my AP classes were history classes and the highest math I took was precalculus, which I did not finish due to COVID.
Click to expand...
Was it a 3.6 weighted?
 
Don't assume that you can get a 4.0 like you're turning on a light switch. Work on improvement in effort and build your study skills and take advantage of all the help your school and classmates can offer and the grades will come. Banking on a 4.0 means some serious disappointment if you miss it this fall. But if you simply hit the SAT or ACT hard, put in the study hours and don't give away any opportunities to improve your grades, at the end of the road you can sit back and know you took your best shot, no regrets.
 
StPaulDad said:
Don't assume that you can get a 4.0 like you're turning on a light switch. Work on improvement in effort and build your study skills and take advantage of all the help your school and classmates can offer and the grades will come. Banking on a 4.0 means some serious disappointment if you miss it this fall. But if you simply hit the SAT or ACT hard, put in the study hours and don't give away any opportunities to improve your grades, at the end of the road you can sit back and know you took your best shot, no regrets.
Click to expand...
Spot on, thank you for that. I am in doubt going to be spending my summer on studying the SAT.
 
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