What can I do?

keg

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
86
Hello, going to the academy has been a dream of mine for a very long time. However I'm starting to get discouraged. I'm a junior, so I've been trying to apply to a variety of programs for this summer. So far I've been denied from SS (I believe this is because I didn't receive my SAT scores until after the application closed), and I'm the alternate for Girls State (so I probably won't be attending). Girls State was really crucial for my application... now I'm wondering if there are any other programs that impress the academy.
As far as academics and athletics go, I'm confident. I just feel like I'm lacking in the leadership and wow factors.
Thanks in advance
 
1. You weren't denied Summer seminar because of your SAT's. You were denied because there are very few slots. Let even than academy appointment slot.
2. Summer seminar is mainly for YOU the applicant to benefit. The academy doesn't put ANY points for or against you in your application. In other words, it doesn't matter if you go. Not as far as your application go. The fact that you "Applied" is all that matters. That will look good on your congressman/senator's roster when you apply for a nomination.
3. The leadership positions are simple. Whatever you're "IN TO", get leadership positions in that. If you're into sports, try and get leadership positions there. Team captain isn't the ONLY leadership positions. There's also a lot of INFORMAL leadership roles. The same with ANY of the clubs, hobbies, or whatever you're into. Find leadership roles there.

For what it's worth, one TYPE doesn't impress the academy more than ANOTHER TYPE. I.e. Being in civil air patrol or JrROTC doesn't impress the academy more than say being the president and active member of FBLA, 4H, or Young Republicans. Some think because Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and JrROTC wear UNIFORMS and APPEAR to be military in nature, that they carry more weight on your application. They DON'T. Get into student government, youth leadership clubs, political clubs, American Field Service, Choir, Band, Theater, Church, etc... There are plenty of clubs or social entities that you can belong to, and each of these have leadership roles in them that you can strive for. Best of luck.
 
Keg,

Hang in there and don't get discouraged!

IMHO you are totally on the right track. The very fact that you are seeking good advice, researching what's best, starting early, and giving 100% towards your goal says to me you are headed in the right direction.

As CC said already, there are lots of leadership opportunities... clubs, class positions, church, youth groups, sports, etc.

And of course, you can show leadership by taking on a cause and organizing an event like a 5k race to free the oppressed sea turtles! :smile: Seriously, if you have a cause you are passionate about, start your own group!

I guess the two messages here are this...
1) Stick with it (which you are already doing!!)
2) There are multiple paths to success

Good luck!
 
Hello, going to the academy has been a dream of mine for a very long time. However I'm starting to get discouraged. I'm a junior, so I've been trying to apply to a variety of programs for this summer. So far I've been denied from SS (I believe this is because I didn't receive my SAT scores until after the application closed), and I'm the alternate for Girls State (so I probably won't be attending). Girls State was really crucial for my application... now I'm wondering if there are any other programs that impress the academy.
As far as academics and athletics go, I'm confident. I just feel like I'm lacking in the leadership and wow factors.
Thanks in advance

My DS was turned down for SS and now is a 4C at the Academy. He was disappointed but this just gave him more resolve to look for other opportunities. Look for other ways to build up your leadership experience. E.g., take on a project with a clear and meaningful impact for a local charity; run for student government; if you play sports and have a good relationship with your coach talk with him/her about the possibility of becoming a team captain; etc. The possibilities are endless - you just need to be able to make the case that your leadership experience was meaningful and significant.

Good luck!
 
Hello, going to the academy has been a dream of mine for a very long time. However I'm starting to get discouraged. I'm a junior, so I've been trying to apply to a variety of programs for this summer. So far I've been denied from SS (I believe this is because I didn't receive my SAT scores until after the application closed), and I'm the alternate for Girls State (so I probably won't be attending). Girls State was really crucial for my application... now I'm wondering if there are any other programs that impress the academy.
As far as academics and athletics go, I'm confident. I just feel like I'm lacking in the leadership and wow factors.
Thanks in advance

One of my former students who is now a first classman at a service academy took part in a summer program in DC, the St. Albans School of Public Service, that is modeled on Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. They use the case study method to study public policy (domestic and foreign policy) and as I recall they had really amazing speakers like a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, the doctor at NIH who leads efforts to fight infectious disease, the Presidential Chief of Staff (to President Bush at that time), etc.

I know about the program because I wrote him a teacher recommendation letter when he applied; as I recall, unlike most of these summer programs, they give out major financial aid and he got a scholarship for most of the cost. He ended up writing a lot of college essays on the program and said he talked about it at length in his interviews for nominations. It's for rising seniors so you are the right age. Here's the website: www.schoolofpublicservice.org

You might check it out. It probably wouldn't get its own category in admissions like Girls' State but it could be good evidence of leadership activity and would give you lots to talk/write about in the college process.

Good luck!
 
I would not write off Girls State just yet. In my area, the sponsoring posts seem to nearly always find a way to have alternates get in. They were very generous about that and while no one said so overtly, they did encourage alternates to 'stay available' because things happen. In our area all those selected and alternates were asked to attend a prep meeting well before the week. Do not fail to attend that meeting. If they have latitude, that is where you will likely hear about it.
Look also at the Society of Military Engineers. They run engineering centric camps at several locations around the country. It is probably not the same as SS, but I'd wager it would be a well respected item on the resume.
 
SAME

DS attended SAME at USAFA and really enjoyed it. He made many friends who are now on the hill with him. This is based on the northern side of campus and is staffed by cadets. The other military services have SAME camps but not on the campus of their SA.

http://samecamps.org/
 
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DS attended SAME at USAFA and really enjoyed it. He made many friends who are now on the hill with him. This is based on the northern side of campus and is staffed by cadets. The other military services have SAME camps but not on the campus of their SA.

http://samecamps.org/

Usafamom2016 beat me to it. SAME camp is a GREAT opportunity if interested in an engineering degree.
 
My biggest leadership positions were held in my church, in my school, and in my home. :smile:
 
Sorry to bring back an old thread...
Yesterday I was informed that I will be able to attend Girl's State!
Also, thank you all for your help and advice :smile:
 
Sorry to bring back an old thread...
Yesterday I was informed that I will be able to attend Girl's State!
Also, thank you all for your help and advice :smile:

Keg volunteer volunteer volunteer remember a couple of quality leadership opportunities outweigh a bunch of part of ... or volunteered for ...

If you need any help with wordsmithing your accomplishments I can help or at least find someone who can.
 
Sorry to bring back an old thread...
Yesterday I was informed that I will be able to attend Girl's State!
Also, thank you all for your help and advice :smile:

Going to Girl's State trumps going to Summer Seminar.:thumb:
 
Keg volunteer volunteer volunteer remember a couple of quality leadership opportunities outweigh a bunch of part of ... or volunteered for ...

If you need any help with wordsmithing your accomplishments I can help or at least find someone who can.

I have about 160 hours for the past year! I'm planning on getting even more this year and organizing 2 or 3 charity events in my school. I successfully organized one last year, I love community service :biggrin:
 
have a plan B

but keep working on plan A. good luck ( and be careful what you wish for!)
 
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