What do you think?

JT20

JT20

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Messages
106
Hi I am new to this forum everyone. I am a sophomore in high school and am interested in the service academy. Below are my achievements as of now (sophomore year). What do you think I can work on and what are my chances?



ACADEMICS

-Currently a sophomore in h.s.

-AP Classes in all except for electives and history

-4.0 GPA (unweighted)

-Top Science Award Freshman year

-Class Rank- 1 out of 177

-PLAN Composite Score- 23 (really low, but practicing for the ACT hard)

ATHLETICS

-Varsity wrestling freshman year and took sophomore year off, but am going to return next year (should be 3 time letterman).

-JV football freshman yr

-Varsity football Sophomore year (should be 3 time letterman)

-weightlift 5 days a week (great physical shape)

Extracirricluar Activities

-church

-Young Life (church group)

-Key Club member

-Youth United Way member

-next year I should be elected into the NHS



I have studied and strived for the service academies since the seventh grade. So I am well aware of the sacrifices and hard work that's required. If any of you guys can comment and give feedback, that would truly be appreciated. Thanks!
 
You look like an excellent candidate. My recommendations are to take the SAT in addition to the ACT (some students do considerably better on one than on the other) and also to work on achieving some leadership positions in those extracurricular activities. A lot of selection boards will favor someone who is president of one club over someone who is a member of five. Also, it's never to early to start practicing the CFA.
 
take the SATs and ACTs as early and as often as possible, you can never do it enough!
 
I'd say if you keep up the grades, class rank, sports, and community service you could get into any service academy you apply to assuming you pass the appropriate physical exams and interviews. Just get those SAT and ACT scores up, all of the academies look at them the same way (converting the ACT score to SAT scale) so take both, and keep working at the one you like and do better on. Good luck to you.
 
1)Visit if you can the SA you are interested in,
2) attend Academy Night sponsored by you MOC's (member of congress).
3)Talk to students already enrolled and study, work out and then study more
4)Practice for the CFA
5) Look into DODMERB
My list above is not necessarily in order

Best of everything and post any other questions. I found the boards very helpful when we were going through the process.
 
The best thing that you are doing is getting the ball rolling during your sophomore HS year.
 
Boys State

Check out your state's Boys State. You'll find it on the internet. (In WI, it's the Badger Boys State).Go to it!! It's an excellent program. There is also a Girls State. Follow the suggestions of all the previous comments and keep asking questions. good luck!
 
I just did a presentation yesterday at Senator Warner's Service Academy Day for Virginia. It looks like you are doing all the right things. One thing I will add is that you need to get exceptional scores on your SAT or ACT. The minimum SAT is 520 Critical Reading, 560 Math, combined minimum 1080....BUT to be truly competitive you need at least a combined SAT of 1215 (with a strong math SAT).

Also, make sure to have at least 3 years of Math sequence (2-Algebra, 1 Geometry and you must have Trigonometry).
To have a much better chance of an appointment you should take Pre-Calculus...even better if you have Calculus too.

You'll need one Chemistry with Lab or Physics with Lab.....better chance of appointment if you have both.

Hope this helps! :thumb:
 
Good going at asking around now! (Kudos and Bonus pts :biggrin:) You are at the best stage for Q/A. Are you looking at all of the academies or just some specific ones? I took the ACT five times before I got a 29 composite (31 English, 27 math.) Save all the awards you can because those look good when attached to application packets. Community service is a great item to have. Like KP2013dramamama said, get into Boy's State, which will be in your junior/senior summer. Make a plan of operation of how to meet deadlines (or should I say, meet them early.) Be a leader! The paperwork may look like a real mess of work, but it isn't. Stay motivated and focus!
 
To be honest with you, I am considering all of the service academies and the Virginia Military Institute/The Citadel. This is just so that I have many different options to choose from.

As of right now I do not hold any leadership positions, but next year I should be a leader in Key Club, Youth United Way, National Honor Society, and hopefully the varsity football team. Boy's State is also something I have been looking into. It seems like a great program, but I will only do it if NASS, SLS, and the USAFA SS reject me.

I have practiced the ACT countless times. My average on the practice tests are 29-30; It was even at a 34 composite before. I am not too worried about it though because there is five full months for preparation.

The deadlines are no issue at all. I am the type of person that is always early and never lets someone wait. I always have to be ahead of the game!
 
To be honest with you, I am considering all of the service academies and the Virginia Military Institute/The Citadel. This is just so that I have many different options to choose from.

As of right now I do not hold any leadership positions, but next year I should be a leader in Key Club, Youth United Way, National Honor Society, and hopefully the varsity football team. Boy's State is also something I have been looking into. It seems like a great program, but I will only do it if NASS, SLS, and the USAFA SS reject me.

I have practiced the ACT countless times. My average on the practice tests are 29-30; It was even at a 34 composite before. I am not too worried about it though because there is five full months for preparation. The class schedule I have set through senior year is the toughest possible. I am already in Chemistry and next year I will take Chem 2 followed by Physics. In math, I'm well on track; I will graduate with 5 years of math and finish off with calculus. Same goes for all of my other subjects.

The deadlines are no issue at all. I am the type of person that is always early and never lets someone wait. I always have to be ahead of the game!:smile:
 
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