What should I do to prepare for USNA in the early HS years?

H

hilldog9

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Joined
Apr 11, 2023
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24
Hey all,
I am a current freshman in HS and I know most programs for preparing for SAs happen after junior year, I was wondering what advice you guys would have for early high school years. I am working on my Eagle Scout, on NYLT Staff, 4-Sport Athlete, FCA Leader, Stuco, Class Officer, and multi-instrument musician, and I am heavily involved in community service. Is there anything else I should focus on right now?
 
Make sure you schedule your classes to be able to take the highest level classes (especially STEM) you can.

Stay out of trouble.

Good luck on finishing your Eagle requirements.
 
Starting point... read the USNA Admissions website...every drop down , every link...all you need to know about applying to USNA is there.
Establish a record as a leader, scholar and citizen in your school. Be that kid that the teachers look up to-- your Junior year English and Math teachers will be doing an evaluation, and it is an important part of your application.
 
Seek to continue on NYLT staff - it is very rewarding and a great way to show continued leadership growth by not only leading peers but teaching high-level leadership skills to peers all through your high school years.
 
Great start! You may want to schedule the PSAT next school year. I tell my students to test 'early and often' with the SAT/ACT.

With your activities and sports, seek to be a leader. But remember, as Aristotle said, “He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.” Engage with your activities and work with your teammates to make each 'team' better.

Also, learn more about the career path(s) that you will pursue as a military officer. Read about the career and educate yourself.

Best of luck!
 
hilldog9 said:
Hey all,
I am a current freshman in HS and I know most programs for preparing for SAs happen after junior year, I was wondering what advice you guys would have for early high school years. I am working on my Eagle Scout, on NYLT Staff, 4-Sport Athlete, FCA Leader, Stuco, Class Officer, and multi-instrument musician, and I am heavily involved in community service. Is there anything else I should focus on right now?
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Take the ACT / SAT early, our son was told he actually had most of the material covered by the tests by the end of Sophomore year. Great advice regardless of the path you choose. The STEM camps at USNA also gave him great exposure. Good grades are obvious, but most of the admission’s briefings stress the importance of taking the most rigorous classes your school offers. Best of luck, it’s not an easy path but the journey will make you stronger regardless of what you do. Better student, better leader, better communicator, ultimately the whole person.
 
Keep hanging out on this forum and don't be bashful about asking questions. I lurked here for about two years while my DS (now a plebe) was in high school and I'm really glad I did. Keep up the good work!
 
hilldog9 said:
Hey all,
I am a current freshman in HS and I know most programs for preparing for SAs happen after junior year, I was wondering what advice you guys would have for early high school years. I am working on my Eagle Scout, on NYLT Staff, 4-Sport Athlete, FCA Leader, Stuco, Class Officer, and multi-instrument musician, and I am heavily involved in community service. Is there anything else I should focus on right now?
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High points for: Varsity sports + varsity letter, Captainship of varsity team(s), high SAT/ACT scores, high GPA/Class ranking, above average score on the CFA, Eagle Scout, Boys State attendance, JROTC or Civil Air Patrol or Sea Cadets member, community service, leadership position in Honor Society, band/orchestra, yearbook, any school organization are just some of the ways USNA will rate you.
 
hilldog9 said:
Hey all,
I am a current freshman in HS and I know most programs for preparing for SAs happen after junior year, I was wondering what advice you guys would have for early high school years. I am working on my Eagle Scout, on NYLT Staff, 4-Sport Athlete, FCA Leader, Stuco, Class Officer, and multi-instrument musician, and I am heavily involved in community service. Is there anything else I should focus on right now?
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I applied last year as a senior in HS and was turned down. This may sound obvious but if you really want to go to USNA, do NOT lose sight of that. Your short resume that you posted looks really impressive, stay with all of those things and keep your grades up and I think you will be successful. I lost focus throughout high school and my <3.5 unweighted GPA was I believe what killed me because I hated doing homework.
 
hilldog9 said:
Hey all,
I am a current freshman in HS and I know most programs for preparing for SAs happen after junior year, I was wondering what advice you guys would have for early high school years. I am working on my Eagle Scout, on NYLT Staff, 4-Sport Athlete, FCA Leader, Stuco, Class Officer, and multi-instrument musician, and I am heavily involved in community service. Is there anything else I should focus on right now?
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also I think its important to be genuine in your essays and interviews. The BGOs and admissions office have seen lots of candidates and they know a faker when they see one.
 
How good are you in your best sport?

Being an all around sports types that plays lots of sports will help

Being one that is a d-1 level recruit in one sport does a whole lot more than help.
 
Small Team Bacsi said:
How good are you in your best sport?

Being an all around sports types that plays lots of sports will help

Being one that is a d-1 level recruit in one sport does a whole lot more than help.
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I am varsity level in 2 of them, JV in one and club in the other.
 
hilldog9 said:
I am varsity level in 2 of them, JV in one and club in the other.
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Yes but I am asking about d-1 college in one of those sports?

Do your club or HS coaches think you can play at an average d1 college in at least one of your sports ?

If in doubt ask them. Because if you are there is your express ticket in to a SA.
 
Do you really need to do 4 sports? Do you do two at the same time? Is that taking away from Academics?
Remember that Academics is the most important thing.
 
hilldog9 said:
I know most programs for preparing for SAs happen after junior year
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Not sure what you mean by that. All during h.s. you are building a resume for wherever you decide to go to college. It is too late to wait until your senior year to start thinking about college and then realize you didn't do as well academically due to a lack of focus/ambition. I would make sure to do well in academics and contribute to the success of your school by doing things you enjoy whether that be sports/ECA's/leadership. A lot can happen in the next four years and with any selective college you also need to have a plan B. Far more apply to SA's then spots available. I would still try to enjoy h.s. since you are more likely to excel by doing things your enjoy and can grow as a person. Don't do things to check a box on a college application. You also need to be selective on where you spend your time since no one can excel in everything.

There are many different paths to getting an appointment, so I would focus less on the resume of other people. The official USNA website has a lot of great information on how to prepare.
 
Small Team Bacsi said:
Yes but I am asking about d-1 college in one of those sports?

Do your club or HS coaches think you can play at an average d1 college in at least one of your sports ?

If in doubt ask them. Because if you are there is your express ticket in to a SA.
Click to expand...
I think I am D2-D3 in 3 of them but Swimming is the one I think I could go D1 in.
 
bopper said:
Do you really need to do 4 sports? Do you do two at the same time? Is that taking away from Academics?
Remember that Academics is the most important thing.
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They are in different seasons, however, I have considered knocking one or two out and focusing on just the two.
 
hilldog9 said:
I think I am D2-D3 in 3 of them but Swimming is the one I think I could go D1 in.
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If you are legitimately a D1 prospect or lining up to be one, you should get your club coach and/or school coach to get in touch with USNA Swimming coaches now with your times. For a Freshman who is a potential D1 swimmer, I'd personally expect some level of High School recognition already - winning conference/placing at states/etc and they'll want to know that.
 
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