Ways to improve resume?

[Bear-]

I also posted this in the USMA thread:

Hello,

I just finished my freshman year and am interested in USMA and USNA. Can anyone comment on ways to improve my chances at getting in?

Academics:

3.9-4.0 GPA unweighted (Depends on results of Final Exams, also school doesn't rank but will be in top 10%, rumor is that my grade has the lowest average GPA in school history)
Deans List/Recognition Award
Honors Geometry and Alg II completed, doing Honors Pre-Calc over summer and maybe next year depending on how comfortable I am with the materiel
Honors Chemistry Next Year
PSAT Unnofficial (Had to take for Prep Service that I am doing over the Summer, but the scores are not official): 188


Sports:

Varsity Letter: Ice hockey

Captain U15 Yeti Travel Lacrosse Team (Did not play this spring, chose to play golf)

JV Golf


Extracurriculars/Leadership Positions

Model United Nations Delegate, one of only four freshman selected

Newspaper Busniness Manager, 2nd and 3rd quarter, raised over $200 in subscriptions

Newspaper Staff Writer, 4 consecutive articles published

Future Business Leaders of America: President, CEO, (Founder, should I include?), spearheaded first profitable sale with profit margin of 200%, obtained contract with Theater Department to obtain advertisements, taking around 10% of all money taken in.

Joining Navy Sea Cadets, 4/15 way through required reading on the Navy.

Things that might happen over summer:

Hopefully accepted to Standford Humanities and Education Leadership Program

Struggling with Community Service: Not sure how I am going to volunteer, but I want it to be military-oriented (Grandfather, Mothers Cousin, Uncle all prior-service). Any tips on ways to get involved?


Sincerely, and thank you for your time;

Bear

 

[GoSox]

The way you can most improve your chances in the shortest amount of time is to work on your standardized test scores -- that's not a bad PSAT score for a freshman but you should be looking to get 700+ in Math on the SAT for sure and as close as you can to 700 for Verbal (and you can look up the ACT equivalent -- I was from an "SAT" area).

It doesn't mean not to try to max the CFA; get leadership positions in sports and clubs, etc.; but standardized tests is something that almost everyone can improve if they (a) practice a lot; and (b) get a test prep book to see if there are any strategic tips you can use to improve. It doesn't depend on a teacher, or the votes of your classmates/teammates -- it's all YOU and how much time you put in. Plus, it's a lot harder to raise your GPA significantly as compared to SAT/ACT, given super scoring.

[Also, it's just me but if I were on the nomination committee for your Congressperson, I'd be wondering why you played outside lacrosse yet chose to go with golf when you were only a JV golfer. A team sport with physical contact strikes me as preferable to non-contact golf.]

 

[nielsenkc]

I am am currently like a freshman like you hoping to get enterance into the usna. You have a fairly impressive resume. I been in the us naval sea cadet corps and i been loving every moment of it i hope you get as much out of it as i can.Is the navy reading you talking about the bmr course?. If so good luck but it helps I got 95% on mine.

 

[Bear-]

To the one who asked about golf, I chose to play because I'm only 5'6.5" so I wouldn't have lettered in lacrosse, and would probably have gotten injured. And I'm from Minnesota so I took the time to train a lot for hockey because hopefully I will be good enough to play for the naval academy if I get in. I may play junior or senior year, but its not something I want to do long term.

And yes, I think it is called the BMR. It's tedious, 15 assignments long, and each one takes 45 min to an hour. I've gotten through 6 now and its not fun. But the Sea Cadets looks awesome so I think its going to be worth it.

Also, I'm starting a lawn care company. I already have written commitments from 3 clients and gave already pulled in $60 in revenue. Would this be considered work experience, or should I look for employment at a large company?(I enjoy doing the lawn care services).


Thank you all for looking at my resume, Sincerely,

Bear