Apollo 8
Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2022
- Messages
- 94
As the ball of my admissions journey leaves my court, I would like to share a few things I have learned in the past few months. Maybe this is for the other applicants, parents, or just myself.
I didn’t know the service academies existed until this summer. Reading Charlie Duke’s autobiography, sitting in an empty auditorium at NASA this August, I listened to JFK’s Rice University speech. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” I wanted to do those hard things. So, sitting in that auditorium, I found my congressman’s office email and began crafting a letter.
I have traveled far since then. I have written upwards of fifty essays, emailed countless cadets, been interviewed by senior military officers, and stared at the moon. I have received no admissions decisions, but as my files are slowly making their way to the boards, here are my thoughts:
I have done much more than many seventeen-year-olds I know. Not because of my SAT score, my mile time, or my GPA, but because of the amazing people I have spoken with and the way I have conducted my actions. Awards are shiny, but the words, “hold true to your values, you can change everything,” or the coveted “you are what we need” clause will always hold so much more weight to me (especially when they come from a general). Looking into the eyes of a Naval aviator and saying that I wanted to serve my country will speak more words than a graduation speech ever could.
To the applicants: We aren’t all “perfect specimens” to the academies on paper, but sometimes that isn’t the only thing the military needs. They need leaders, thinkers, and people of endurance. Be that, and you will end up as an effective officer. - From an interviewer.
To officers, cadets, mids, ALOs, and BGOs: You have made this experience unparalleled to any. One can say they will apply to Harvard and receive “good luck”. Say you will apply to an Academy and you will receive help from countless people. I haven’t taken any of it for granted.
To all of us: The anxiety of waiting will begin to rage, and many, myself most likely included, will receive a number of rejections. If there is anything I have learned, it is that my rejection simply means someone more qualified than me is going to become an officer. If I believe I am so worthy to receive an appointment, then the candidate who received that appointment instead must be one heck of a person and will make an incredible officer. Regardless of the outcome, I plan to carry on, commission one way or another, and serve beside some of you on this forum.
Thank you,
a girl who won’t give up
I didn’t know the service academies existed until this summer. Reading Charlie Duke’s autobiography, sitting in an empty auditorium at NASA this August, I listened to JFK’s Rice University speech. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” I wanted to do those hard things. So, sitting in that auditorium, I found my congressman’s office email and began crafting a letter.
I have traveled far since then. I have written upwards of fifty essays, emailed countless cadets, been interviewed by senior military officers, and stared at the moon. I have received no admissions decisions, but as my files are slowly making their way to the boards, here are my thoughts:
I have done much more than many seventeen-year-olds I know. Not because of my SAT score, my mile time, or my GPA, but because of the amazing people I have spoken with and the way I have conducted my actions. Awards are shiny, but the words, “hold true to your values, you can change everything,” or the coveted “you are what we need” clause will always hold so much more weight to me (especially when they come from a general). Looking into the eyes of a Naval aviator and saying that I wanted to serve my country will speak more words than a graduation speech ever could.
To the applicants: We aren’t all “perfect specimens” to the academies on paper, but sometimes that isn’t the only thing the military needs. They need leaders, thinkers, and people of endurance. Be that, and you will end up as an effective officer. - From an interviewer.
To officers, cadets, mids, ALOs, and BGOs: You have made this experience unparalleled to any. One can say they will apply to Harvard and receive “good luck”. Say you will apply to an Academy and you will receive help from countless people. I haven’t taken any of it for granted.
To all of us: The anxiety of waiting will begin to rage, and many, myself most likely included, will receive a number of rejections. If there is anything I have learned, it is that my rejection simply means someone more qualified than me is going to become an officer. If I believe I am so worthy to receive an appointment, then the candidate who received that appointment instead must be one heck of a person and will make an incredible officer. Regardless of the outcome, I plan to carry on, commission one way or another, and serve beside some of you on this forum.
Thank you,
a girl who won’t give up
