Sample Resumes of Accepted Applicants

[qwertyuiopsmile]

Thanks for the input on the book. I had already bought the book, I was just looking to see if it had given any helpful things to other people but I understand your points.

Also, to someone's point about getting a job. Due to my schedule during the school year it wouldn't be feasible but I was thinking of getting one over the summer but I also like to volunteer in the summers. Would it make more sense to get a summer job or to do volunteer work (the science center near me runs a big summer camp that they have volunteers work at)?

 

[brovol]

Not sure what the angst is about recommending the book

Here's the "concern." When folks whose kids were admitted to a SA start talking up books or consultants or other things that cost money, it can "scare" others into thinking that they too need to buy this book or hire this consultant in order to get in, improve their chances, or at least convince themselves they did everything they could to achieve this result.

Unfortunately, books and consultants cost money. For some, the amount (especially for a book) is no big deal -- nothing more than buying a pair of shoes and definitely worth the investment in their kid's future. For others, the cost may represent a huge sacrifice but they still feel they need to make the investment. What parent (or kid) wants to believe they didn't do everything possible and here's yet another thing that just might help -- and maybe they need it even more b/c they couldn't afford to give their kid every advantage in life.

The fact is that, especially in this Internet age, the free information available to all candidates is more than sufficient to result in a successful application. If it makes someone feel better to buy a book and/or hire consultants, then go for it; it's their money. But it's not necessary and I've seen no evidence to suggest that those who spend the money fare any better in the application process (at least for USNA) than those who don't.

And the rec re good relationships with teachers is spot on!

If telling someone to "read a book" to become more knowledgeable on a subject is elitist in today's world, and the preferred method is to spend more time on the internet, then we have really changed in America, haven't we?

FYI my kid never had a consultant, and frankly we had no idea that consultants even existed for this type of thing, and if we did we would have never invested in that. Instead, he bought the Ross candidate book for USNA and USMA; both used, and both cost less than $6. When it came time to work on improving his ACT scores he got books for that too; three of them I think, and he bucked down and used those books, taking practice tests and studying the answers until he understood the material. Never was it even discussed that he go to a class for the ACT. My kid attended a rural, mid-Michigan public school, and a lot of service academy kids come from places around the country just like our small town. What I suggest in terms of building a competitive academy application can be done by kids from all parts of the economic spectrum. These books are at most public libraries.

I recommend the book because it is excellent, and is the most straight forward explanation of the process, with great advice and suggestions, than anything else that we saw; including this forum.

 

[brovol]

Thanks for the input on the book. I had already bought the book, I was just looking to see if it had given any helpful things to other people but I understand your points.

Also, to someone's point about getting a job. Due to my schedule during the school year it wouldn't be feasible but I was thinking of getting one over the summer but I also like to volunteer in the summers. Would it make more sense to get a summer job or to do volunteer work (the science center near me runs a big summer camp that they have volunteers work at)?

Job would be much better in my mind. They know paid jobs are legit. It is hard for the admissions people to compare all these "community service hours" in terms of who's hours are legitimate. Paid jobs require a level of time management which no one will question.

 

[qwertyuiopsmile]

Job would be much better in my mind. They know paid jobs are legit. It is hard for the admissions people to compare all these "community service hours" in terms of who's hours are legitimate. Paid jobs require a level of time management which no one will question.

Ok. Do you know if certain jobs are considered more relevant than others? For example would it be better to work at my local nursing home, at a fast food chain, and a retail store, or somewhere else?

 

[MIDNMOM]

MyDS worked as a math instructor at a local tutoring center. He had to take 3 different kinds of tests and interview to get the position.
They paid him much higher than minimum wages.
If you are good at math and interested in teaching elementary or middle school students, it would be really good for your resume.
I'm not sure about USNA but USMA asked him to send the employer evaluation/ recommendation letter.

 

[brovol]

Job would be much better in my mind. They know paid jobs are legit. It is hard for the admissions people to compare all these "community service hours" in terms of who's hours are legitimate. Paid jobs require a level of time management which no one will question.

Ok. Do you know if certain jobs are considered more relevant than others? For example would it be better to work at my local nursing home, at a fast food chain, and a retail store, or somewhere else?

I don't think it matters.