What are my chances of acceptance? What can I do to improve?

abeastlybeast

abeastlybeast

USMA Class of 2015
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
307
Hey guys, I'd like to get a few opinions about how I currently stand in being accepted to USMA. I go to Oviedo High School in Oviedo, Florida.

Current GPA:
Weighted: 4.33
Unweighted: 4.0
(I finished last semester with a 4.56 weighted GPA, not sure why my current GPA isn't still 4.56)

Current Classes and Letter Grades:
AP Physics - A
Spanish 3 - A
Pre-Calc Adv. - A
Intermediate Weight Lifting - A
English 3 Honors - A
AP Psychology - A
American History Honors - A

I've had straight A's freshman year until now (I'm a junior)

Class Rank: 8 out of 529

Extra-Curricular Activities:
Junior Varsity Wrestling (1 Year) (our wrestling 5x state champions)
Weight Lifting Team (competed until I had to stop to heal my back)
Spanish Honor Society
Math Honor Society

I'm apparently joining Science Honor Society soon if my old science teacher lets me in on short notice and I am going to participate in ROTC athletic teams. Next year I am signed up for ROTC and 7th period wrestling. I'm also planning on doing the wrestling club at my school.

SAT Scores:
620 Reading
630 Math
610 Writing
9/12 Essay
I'm signed up to take another test, and I may take it a 3rd time.

I am taking ACT this weekend so I do not have scores for that yet.


I think that's about it. Anything you guys can tell me I should do are participate in to improve my chances? I know I'm kind of lacking leadership qualities, so I'm attempting to join student council and become president of an honor society or a leader of a community service project. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks! :thumb:
 
Your record looks great, but I'd advise taking the SAT again to try and do a little better. Those scores are good, but the higher they get the better your chances get. You might do way better on the ACT; some kids just seem to like it better. Try and stay involved in sports, its very important to have a varsity letter. If you're worried about leadership do boys state before your senior year because its a big plus on your USMA application as a way to show leadership. Also, if you are a junior, start preparing for the CFA this fall.
 
Last edited:
I'd say leadership and sports for sure!!! It's kinda hard to start somethings later in highschool, but being an eagle scout, boys state, being captain of teams... it all helps!
 
Thanks for the opinions. I feel kind of stupid asking, but what's boys state? I realize I don't have an extensive record of involvement in sports but I have been in weight lifting class since sophomore year and I regularly play ultimate frisbee and run on my own. I know that doesn't count towards admittance but I think I will do very well on the CFA. It's just difficult to get a varsity letter in wrestling at my school because there are 5 or 6 guys competing for 2 weight classes and I've only wrestled half a year. I was technically on varsity in weight lifting because I competed but my back had to heal so I had to stop half way through the season. If I don't manage to get a varsity letter in sports and just manage to keep weight lifting and wrestling do you think that will suffice? Thanks
 
I'm not sure about all that, I'm not on the admissions commitee!! I know that its important to show consistensy throughout you profile so as long as your sticking with things!

In my case sports/leadership saved my butt. I had a 3.69 GPA and got a 28 on my ACT. I had 3 varsity football letters, 4 for wrestling and 2 for track/field. I was captain for football my senior year, and wrestling my junior and senior year. I was an eagle scout and was a mayor at boys state (which is like mock state government run by the American Legion, good experience even if you dont like government stuff!). I also went to SLS last summer. And I got an appointment.

So my advice would be, is be consistent, never close a door on any oppurtunities, and keep your goal in mind (but also have a good back up! I have a good friend that got denied by AFA today)

Good Luck!
 
Do you know how I can join Boys State? I've honestly never heard of it before and it definitely sounds like a leadership opportunity I'd like to take advantage of.

Also do you think it'd be better for me to continue with wrestling and weight lifting if it doesn't guarantee me varsity letters or do you think I should pursue different sports I may be able to get varsity letters in?


ALSO Does anyone know what the limit of spine curvature is for the physical examination? I recently found out I have a 17 degree curve in my spine I was completely unaware of.
 
interviews have begun for boys state, go into your conselor and ask about boys state asap! also stay on the wrestlin team it would look worse if you stopped wrestling. try to join clubs and get invlolved its really easy to simply get invovled. last if your looking for a sport to do try cross country its different seasons of wrestling and a no cut sport
 
I would really recommned trying to get a varsity letter. If you look at the profile of a recent class - http://admissions.usma.edu/moreInfo/Profile2013.pdf - the vast majority had a letter.

Try and get a leadership position in JROTC next year.

Other than that, your grades are great! They just want a well-rounded individual, that's why you're getting suggestions for sports/leadership.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to stick with wrestling I think and do weight lifting again. And I was going to go out for cross country actually. Maybe if I'm good enough at CC I can get a varsity letter for that. My school's weight lifting team doesn't really distinguish between JV and Varsity, it's just the top two people in a weight class compete at meets. I competed until I injured my back so I don't know if that counts as a varsity letter? Is a varsity letter an actual letter you are awarded? I don't think anyone on the weight lifting team got one.
 
Info on boys state: http://www.legion.org/boysnation. Contact your school counselor about the application process. If they don't know then contact your local American Legion post (there is a link to find the nearest post on the website above).

Good luck!
 
I agree on trying to get the SAT scores up if you can. I can only use my son as an example, and his stats are similar to yours, except for the SAT scores. Also, he is a varsity lacrosse and soccer player. I am only posting his scores so you can see how tough things are. His scores were 780 math, 720 verbal, and 700 writing. He got an LOA from USMA, and has been appointed, and is most likely going to accept this week. He however did not make it into the Air Force Academy. He did have an Air Force nomination.

Not writing this to worry you, because you have a great resume. Do whatever you can to raise the scores! The competition is tough.
 
Just out of curiosity, How much can you power clean? power snatch?
My football team lifts four days a week and im very curious to see where im at, strength wise!

FVHS '12
 
Aim for a varsity letter or two and yeah, leadership positions are a plus. Honestly, your academic record is already great (its better than mine :rolleyes:) and I can't see much room for improvement there. Volunteer hours and extra-curriculars OUTSIDE of school help as well. Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top