What are my chances?

OrionVII

Aspiring USAFA, USNA, or USMA Cadet
Joined
Oct 9, 2023
Messages
64
Hey y'all, once or twice a year, I post an update to just see how I am doing, what I need to be doing better, and what my chances are in general. I did one last semester and was not planning to do another for a while, but a lot changed so I decided to do one this semester. I DO KNOW THAT NO ONE CAN GIVE ME EXACT CHANCES. This is just a more general "where am I at?" question. Btw, I am a sophomore in High school at a school with roughly 2,000 students.

Academics:
4.3 GPA
1320 PSAT 10

Athletics:
Varsity equivalent Fencer (E-rated and qualified for summer nationals)
Varsity Swimmer
Recreational Rugby Player (mainly play for fun, but I am planning to compete this summer)

Extracurriculars:
Captain of a State Champion Mock Trial Team who qualified for Nationals
Attending my states Youth Legislature
Volunteer at a local library on their Teen Advisory Board
Play the Highland Bagpipes
Volunteer at a local Horse Ranch
Volunteer at my Church on their A/V team
Eagle Scout - former Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and now Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Member of my schools Young Politicians Club
Member of German Honor Society

Planning to do/prepping for:
ACT/SAT
National Honor Society
Trying to get National Merit Scholar

Any suggestions from Current/former Cadets, parents, and/or former/current members of the military?
 
Looks like you are addressing academics, athletics, and leadership. Keep up the good work and continue to pay attention to building your resume across all areas. During your junior year, apply for Boys/Girls' State as this is a good experience that will add to your resume. You are still a couple years from taking the CFA, but you could always practice one according to the admin. guidelines to identify where/if you need to build strength/endurance as you develop.
 
I'm just another high schooler, but if you're going to compete in Rugby this summer I would join the football team if you can.

Like has been said, go to Boys State, and you shouldn't wait to start lifting weights and working on your fitness.

I would just add to try to get your class rank as high as possible, and I agree that you should be practicing for PSAT next year. Getting National Merit reflects well on you, and also takes some stress about backup schools away.

Your extracurriculars are amazing, just maybe some more team sports would help out/best academics you can.
 
All looks good. Just keep up the great work! I encourage my students to continue to seek team engagement and leadership opportunities. You might consider the Order of the Arrow and becoming active with your local chapter as one way to expand your résumé. Also, consider applying for the USMA STEM Camp as a rising junior. Best of luck!
 
I'm just another high schooler, but if you're going to compete in Rugby this summer I would join the football team if you can.
@DanteoftheBloodAngels I wish I could. My parents are concerned about head injuries, and have stopped me from playing football. Down where Im from, coaches teach tackling with the crown of the head, something that has been proven to be unsafe. My parents agree with that, and have said no to football. Its banned in Rugby though.
 
All looks good. Just keep up the great work! I encourage my students to continue to seek team engagement and leadership opportunities. You might consider the Order of the Arrow and becoming active with your local chapter as one way to expand your résumé. Also, consider applying for the USMA STEM Camp as a rising junior. Best of luck!
@Academician Working on OA. Its really complicated in my area (random requirements/hoops to jump through). I've applied to Summer STEM at USNA, but not yet at USMA. Thanks for the advice.
 
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@DanteoftheBloodAngels I wish I could. My parents are concerned about head injuries, and have stopped me from playing football. Down where Im from, coaches teach tackling with the crown of the head, something that has been proven to be unsafe. My parents agree with that, and have said no to football. Its banned in Rugby though.
That's kinda crazy. Yeah my parents had some qualms with head injuries and football too, I don't blame them.
 
It's looking strong so far. You're putting much work into this, which is excellent. Your GPA is good, and your PSAT is looking good, especially for the sophomore year (try to aim for 1380-1420 for your actual SAT). Your extracurriculars are excellent, and it seems like you've got some good leadership potential with leading your mock trial team to win a state championship. Congrats! Like everyone has been saying, try for Boy's State. It will be a pretty shiny coin in your pocket.

Don't overwhelm yourself with leadership positions and clubs, but don't underwhelm yourself if you know you could do more. It's also great that you're building your resume early on like this; it'll give you much less stress on your shoulders going into junior year, mainly because junior year is pretty hard on its own. I'm a junior now, and I, too, tried to build myself up early on, but I wish I tried just a little more, especially with SAT stuff, because just trying a little more can go a long, long way. Stay balanced and work hard; it will pay off in some way, shape, or form. Keep on keeping on; you're doing great so far!

... Do you know your class rank?
 
It's looking strong so far. You're putting much work into this, which is excellent. Your GPA is good, and your PSAT is looking good, especially for the sophomore year (try to aim for 1380-1420 for your actual SAT). Your extracurriculars are excellent, and it seems like you've got some good leadership potential with leading your mock trial team to win a state championship. Congrats! Like everyone has been saying, try for Boy's State. It will be a pretty shiny coin in your pocket.

Don't overwhelm yourself with leadership positions and clubs, but don't underwhelm yourself if you know you could do more. It's also great that you're building your resume early on like this; it'll give you much less stress on your shoulders going into junior year, mainly because junior year is pretty hard on its own. I'm a junior now, and I, too, tried to build myself up early on, but I wish I tried just a little more, especially with SAT stuff, because just trying a little more can go a long, long way. Stay balanced and work hard; it will pay off in some way, shape, or form. Keep on keeping on; you're doing great so far!

... Do you know your class rank?
@blacknight5478 My Class Rank isn't published, but I estimate I am top third at an uber-competitive school.
 
The top third is great for now, but I would push yourself to be in the top 10-20% when you apply. It's very doable; I went from the top 40% at the beginning of sophomore year to the top 10% by the end of the first semester of junior year. You can do this by obviously getting excellent grades, but also taking AP classes or classes that are weighted heavily. I'm sure you've taken a couple of AP classes due to your 4.3 GPA, but if you want to get a higher class rank, I would try to do maybe one or two more than the average classmate might take, and focus hard on getting an "a" in that class.
 
The top third is great for now, but I would push yourself to be in the top 10-20% when you apply. It's very doable; I went from the top 40% at the beginning of sophomore year to the top 10% by the end of the first semester of junior year. You can do this by obviously getting excellent grades, but also taking AP classes or classes that are weighted heavily. I'm sure you've taken a couple of AP classes due to your 4.3 GPA, but if you want to get a higher class rank, I would try to do maybe one or two more than the average classmate might take, and focus hard on getting an "a" in that class.
Seconded, shoot for the highest class rank you can
 
It's looking strong so far. You're putting much work into this, which is excellent. Your GPA is good, and your PSAT is looking good, especially for the sophomore year (try to aim for 1380-1420 for your actual SAT). Your extracurriculars are excellent, and it seems like you've got some good leadership potential with leading your mock trial team to win a state championship. Congrats! Like everyone has been saying, try for Boy's State. It will be a pretty shiny coin in your pocket.

Don't overwhelm yourself with leadership positions and clubs, but don't underwhelm yourself if you know you could do more. It's also great that you're building your resume early on like this; it'll give you much less stress on your shoulders going into junior year, mainly because junior year is pretty hard on its own. I'm a junior now, and I, too, tried to build myself up early on, but I wish I tried just a little more, especially with SAT stuff, because just trying a little more can go a long, long way. Stay balanced and work hard; it will pay off in some way, shape, or form. Keep on keeping on; you're doing great so far!

... Do you know your class rank?
I agree, I made the mistake of overloading myself with extracurriculars sophomore year, and as a result my GPA suffered. Keep up the good work!
 
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