Started Late/Nominations

paigufan

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2014
Messages
7
Hey everyone, I'm currently a junior in high school, and there have been some things that I'm concerned about. I know that in the FAQ it says that nothing can be concluded from the information that I give, but I'm just looking for a general idea.

My GPA is currently 3.5 at a very competitive high school in NYC, but the school does not rank students. I consider my grades to be good, but one thing I'm unsure about is my participation in extracurriculars. I didn't do any EC in 9th grade. None. It was an emotionally and mentally tough year for me. In 10th grade I joined the varsity fencing team, and in the spring I joined the ultimate frisbee team. I finished another fencing season in my junior year, have decided to drop ultimate (loss of interest/passion), and took up Olympic weightlifting at a facility near my place. I also joined 4H (volunteering) at the start of my junior year. Over the last few summers I volunteered at my local library and I plan to work this upcoming summer. I plan on continuing these activities throughout senior year as well.

Here's my question: is it enough!? I see examples of people with a high school resume stacked with two to three sports, joining all kinds of community service, winning awards, etc. Do I have to be a part-time astronaut or something? :shake: I know I started late, so it might be harder to see a trend in my dedication (most high school athletes started their sports in 9th grade or earlier). Is there anything else I can do? I also applied to USNASS already if that means anything at all.

As for nominations, when should I apply for them? Right now? Wait a few weeks/months? Wait until better SAT scores?

I apologize for the wall of text. I know that USNA (and USAFA, another academy that I would love to get into) is very competitive, and I want some general feedback on my competitiveness, and on how I can push myself to be even more appealing.

TL;DR Junior in HS, solid academic rigor and grades (so far), above average SAT (plan to retake), worried about extracurriculars. Also, nomination schedules.
 
Do you mind posting your SAT scores?

From what I have read you look pretty good overall. It kind of stinks that you didn't do anything in 9th grade, but everyone has their own personal life experiences and somethings take priority. I think that it is great that you have been involved in so much still.

If you want my opinions on how to strengthen it even more. I would say try to get leadership positions in ECA's that you are participating in. I think that USNA likes to see that you are involved but they like even more to see you lead. I'm not sure on weather that is possible in your situation or not but if you can get a leadership position don't pass it up.

Once again you application still looks strong to me so stay involved and make good use of your time.

p.s. You will probably want to start looking at nom applications now, but some congressmen or senators won't have their applications open yet. As for USNA you will have to wait until you get your candidate number, but you can work on you CFA from now until you take it.
 
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You'll be fine. You have more activities than I did during high school. NJROTC was pretty much the only thing I did, but I put a lot of time into it.

Do what you love doing, aim high, and you'll get places. Never do something just because you think it'll make you successful.

It's impossible to predict some kind of magical formula for admission. So don't worry about it. Work hard, reap the rewards.

If you're applying for 2019, you're way early for nominations. Not sure why you would be worried about them at this point. The only people getting nominations right now are Presidential nominees who are children of AD/retired personnel and maybe some very proactive NROTC/NJROTC nominees. Congressional nominations usually don't start moving until the summer at the soonest.
 
Hey everyone, I'm currently a junior in high school, and there have been some things that I'm concerned about. I know that in the FAQ it says that nothing can be concluded from the information that I give, but I'm just looking for a general idea.

My GPA is currently 3.5 at a very competitive high school in NYC, but the school does not rank students. I consider my grades to be good, but one thing I'm unsure about is my participation in extracurriculars. I didn't do any EC in 9th grade. None. It was an emotionally and mentally tough year for me. In 10th grade I joined the varsity fencing team, and in the spring I joined the ultimate frisbee team. I finished another fencing season in my junior year, have decided to drop ultimate (loss of interest/passion), and took up Olympic weightlifting at a facility near my place. I also joined 4H (volunteering) at the start of my junior year. Over the last few summers I volunteered at my local library and I plan to work this upcoming summer. I plan on continuing these activities throughout senior year as well.

Here's my question: is it enough!? I see examples of people with a high school resume stacked with two to three sports, joining all kinds of community service, winning awards, etc. Do I have to be a part-time astronaut or something? :shake: I know I started late, so it might be harder to see a trend in my dedication (most high school athletes started their sports in 9th grade or earlier). Is there anything else I can do? I also applied to USNASS already if that means anything at all.

As for nominations, when should I apply for them? Right now? Wait a few weeks/months? Wait until better SAT scores?

I apologize for the wall of text. I know that USNA (and USAFA, another academy that I would love to get into) is very competitive, and I want some general feedback on my competitiveness, and on how I can push myself to be even more appealing.

TL;DR Junior in HS, solid academic rigor and grades (so far), above average SAT (plan to retake), worried about extracurriculars. Also, nomination schedules.

Slow down. I didn't know about/apply to USNA until August of my senior year. Summer is coming up and that is a great time to pack in all sorts of activities. Do some volunteering, working (for money), and maybe a sport if possible. Most summers I've done summer swim team outside. I also see that you've applied for NASS. This will add points to your WCS (Whole Candidate Score). Remember though that NASS is a marketing tool and not the "real deal". Do it anyway though. For leadership opportunity, look at Boys' State. I assume you're a guy.

Not going to ask why you didn't do anything in 9th grade, but look for some school clubs where you'd have interest and potential to be an officer.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your SAT scores?

Nomination applications will open up soon on your local Congressman's website, as well as your 2 state Senators.

If you really kick into high gear senior year, you could have a chance. I got the TWE (Thin White Envelope - basically declination) this time around but I will be re-applying. I know I lacked in SAT scores, leadership, and partly the CFA exam.

Ask me more questions if you have them. :thumb:
 
Do you mind posting your SAT scores?
If you don't mind me asking, what are your SAT scores?

640 in reading, 680 writing, 710 math (registered for upcoming May SAT for retake).

Slow down. I didn't know about/apply to USNA until August of my senior year. Summer is coming up and that is a great time to pack in all sorts of activities. Do some volunteering, working (for money), and maybe a sport if possible. Most summers I've done summer swim team outside. I also see that you've applied for NASS. This will add points to your WCS (Whole Candidate Score). Remember though that NASS is a marketing tool and not the "real deal". Do it anyway though. For leadership opportunity, look at Boys' State. I assume you're a guy.

Not going to ask why you didn't do anything in 9th grade, but look for some school clubs where you'd have interest and potential to be an officer.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your SAT scores?

Nomination applications will open up soon on your local Congressman's website, as well as your 2 state Senators.

If you really kick into high gear senior year, you could have a chance. I got the TWE (Thin White Envelope - basically declination) this time around but I will be re-applying. I know I lacked in SAT scores, leadership, and partly the CFA exam.

Ask me more questions if you have them. :thumb:

By August of senior year do you mean the August before senior year started? The counselors in my school go over the college application process with all the students, and I thought that it would be a good idea to get some sort of head start (USNA uses a rolling admissions process, right? So earlier applications get reviewed earlier?). Unless it would be a better idea to do some activities first, and then put it on the resume (are you allowed to put down activities you plan on doing/sticking to in the future on a resume?). Also, if you don't mind me asking, what did you do when you received the TWE? Are you going to apply for USNA and go to another college in the meantime, or are you going to take a break from school and hope for the best in apps? Good luck to you and your reapplication!
 
A couple of things you can do :

1.apply to Boy's State which is for rising seniors
2.volunteer over the summer
3.consider taking the ACT .. some kids do better on that than the SAT

In regards to nominations, go onto the websites for your 2 senators and representative... that will give a date that the applications opens up.

Good luck!
 
Yes August right before senior year started. I didn't have to wait weeks for my candidate info though; Admissions told me via phone.

Don't worry about activities you haven't done yet. Some spots on the full application have the option of putting anticipated/future activities (ie. sports and varsity letters). It's good to get it done early. You can always add any more achievements to your profile via your counselor, who will have to email them to your Regional Director (AKA Admissions Counselor).

I was pretty let down when I got the TWE - I hadn't experienced failure like that yet. But failure that can be learned from is a good thing. I will be going to a 4 year college for a year and re-applying April 1, which is in 2 days already! Wow.
 
I didn't even start applying to any SA until I started a USAFA application on October 24th. I didn't apply to USNA until mid-November. I didn't even have PE/athletics my freshman year (did marching band). I'm still waiting to hear back from USAFA and I've been admitted to NAPS. I actually missed the deadline for my two senators; I only received a nom (USAFA) from my Congressman. You're starting pretty early compared to me. It's definitely possible, you just have to work a little harder and a little quicker.

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Now IS the time to start! Apply to NASS go to Boys State retake tests and check with your congressperson and senators about process for nominations. The sooner you can get your app started (including junior year transcript sent before or during Summer) the sooner you can do the medical. DS had app almost complete in July, DODMERB in August and an appointment by December. You don't want to wait-esp if you wind up needing and remedials or waivers on medical. Sooner can be better.
 
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