What are my chances?

[cooplitt27]

Hello all,
I've been working on my main application for the three SA's I'm applying for, and have developed a small stress about my chances to get in. I was wondering if y'all could look into my chances? (I've also already submitted my three nomination applications)

Academics:
3.9 HS GPA (UnWeighted)
97 Weighted GPA (Out of 100)
4.0 College GPA (2 Dual Credits and 8 AP's)
1300 Composite SAT (660 Reading/640 Math)
54/630 in Class (Top 8%)
AP Scholar

Athletics:
Swimming (Lettered all 4 years, and have been Varsity Team Captain for 2, 6 6A District Champion Titles, I hold three school records also)
Water Polo (Lettered all years I've done it, so 3, Varsity Team Captain for 1 year)
Football and Baseball (My freshman year but dropped them after moving to a knew school)

Other Extra-Curriculurs:
Dramatic Arts (High School and Community Theater, been in 6 productions in my highschool career, being a lead in 4 of them)
Band (Only freshman year, dropped after moving schools, but contributed to a Division 1 ranking in a state comp.)
Choir (11-12th, contributed to a first place win at a district wide competition)
AFJROTC (AS1 Flight Commander primarily, have also been a Flight Sergeant, and Element Leader) (PT Team and Academic Team aswell, being in a primary position)
Founder and President of a School Club (A student run, community service organization focused on the beautification of my high school campus)
NHS (Vice President)

I was also a lifeguard at Lackland AFB if that counts for anything too.

Awards:
Forest City High School actor of the year
District Athlete of the Meet
I've gotten a 9 total ribbons while participating in JROTC
JROTC Kitty Hawk Air Society Member
MVP of the Swim Team
Member of Outstanding Flight of the Quarter
Most Improved Choir Member
Etc.

I might of put too much but I'm worried lol.

 

[Heatherg21]

You aren’t wrong to have anxiety. It’s normal. But no matter how good your resume is, and it is well rounded and impressive, none of us know who in your district you are competing against. Neither do you.
Control what you can.
Can you prep for nomination interviews?
Have you looked to see if your athletic times align with D1 times? If yes have you reached out to the coaches?
Have you applied for all nomination sources to include ROTC?
Have you applied to NROTC and AROTC?
Does your plan B include service to the United States of America?

Nerves are normal. So is apprehension and anxiety. Now go for a run and channel those nerves into things you can control.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

As many will say -- no one here has a crystal ball. If you want an off the cuff analysis: you certainly seem competitive. I suspect many of the intangibles and more qualitative facets of the application will dictate your admittance -- the BGO interview, things like that.
All you can do is maintain the press on the amazing things you're already accomplishing. Quantitatively, higher SAT scores are of course better. I see 600s and I think "this person is smart and did great" but I see mid/high 700s and I know I'm looking at a truly exceptional mind. So, not that your scores are bad in any capacity, but at a glance if you can pull them higher, go for it.

 

[Heatherg21]

As many will say -- no one here has a crystal ball. If you want an off the cuff analysis: you certainly seem competitive. I suspect many of the intangibles and more qualitative facets of the application will dictate your admittance -- the BGO interview, things like that.
All you can do is maintain the press on the amazing things you're already accomplishing. Quantitatively, higher SAT scores are of course better. I see 600s and I think "this person is smart and did great" but I see mid/high 700s and I know I'm looking at a truly exceptional mind. So, not that your scores are bad in any capacity, but at a glance if you can pull them higher, go for it.

I totally agree with you. The only thing I struggle with is that I have encountered so many who don’t have 700 scores who do very well and navigate difficult courses and schedules. The exceptional mind is incredible, but to be successful it has to be balanced by work ethic, time management, and risk assessment strategies. Just my two cents.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

I totally agree with you. The only thing I struggle with is that I have encountered so many who don’t have 700 scores who do very well and navigate difficult courses and schedules. The exceptional mind is incredible, but to be successful it has to be balanced by work ethic, time management, and risk assessment strategies. Just my two cents.

Totally. I fully agree with all of that. Heck, I’m not a 700 SAT guy but my country boy wrestler mentality means I’m very rarely outworked. The things you mention count for a tremendous amount but, as I think we both know, from the outside— higher scores equate to a greater matriculation chance.

 

[A1Janitor]

I totally agree with you. The only thing I struggle with is that I have encountered so many who don’t have 700 scores who do very well and navigate difficult courses and schedules. The exceptional mind is incredible, but to be successful it has to be balanced by work ethic, time management, and risk assessment strategies. Just my two cents.

Of course.

But we can’t assume the top SAT scores don’t also have the leadership qualities, work ethic, time management, etc. There are a lot of mids that have it all.

It is quite possible a competitor on the slate could check all the boxes.

 

[Dr. Strange Love]

.
SAT is a standard of measure … it is an equalizer.

SAT score means a lot more if your highest score was achieved on one date …. It is supposed to measure how well you can focus for 3+ hours straight …. It is supposed to be a mental marathon, so combined scores from different event dates don’t mean as much as the results from a single date.

Anyway … you should practice a lot before taking the test … be serious about the test.

The Math section is all about “Patterns” and choosing the best “Pathway” to the solution based on the pattern … e.g., quickly graphing vs. applying simultaneous equations vs. plugging in numbers … whatever gets you to the answer quickly.

For the Verbal section, it’s not hard to discern who reads and writes a lot starting from a very young age.
.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

Consider the following: Your goal should be to become an officer. Develop three or more plans to make that so. Plan A: Service Academy of your preference. Plan B: ROTC, Plan C: OCS, Plan D: xyz. It appears that you have what it takes to become an officer using one of those plans. If a SA is your preferred plan, work at what you can control-but don't stress because you have plans B, C, D.... Many qualified candidates don't get into a SA...so think "Officer" with multiple plans to become one. Regarding SATs, take the ACT too, some do better on that. Good luck.