What's the best way to increase your chances of getting into the USNA while in Middle School?

PMNavy

PMNavy

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What courses and classes could I take to help me stand out from other applicants?
 
Take all the advanced classes your school offers, particularly stem courses.

It won’t necessarily make you stand out, because your competition will have the same courses. But it will make you competitive if you have leadership positions, good grades, good standard test results, etc.
 
Have you spent time on USNA’s official website? Tons of info there.
 
PMNavy said:
What courses and classes could I take to help me stand out from other applicants?
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... middle school?

Great, the earlier the better. Take advantage of this "Free" time.

Here are my suggestions:

* Aim at getting comfortable with the SAT by taking SSAT from Grades 5-8 every year. At 9th Grade take a SAT Review course; take the first SAT, during 10th, last 11th. My son started taking SSAT in the 6th grade and it was eventful like panic attacks; after that it was routine until the last one by 11th Grade.
* Take strong math and science foundation.
*Technology courses and real-world applications.
 
Middle School is typically grades 6-8 isn't it?
USNA looks at performance in grades 9-11, so Middle School would have no bearing whatsoever. Good study and attendance habits should be established during those Middle School years to make your High School performance as good as it can be, however.
 
As you read the pages and links on usna.edu, you should find:

www.usna.edu

General Advice for Grades 9-12

General Advice for Grades 9-12 page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Apr 12 05:31:35 EDT 2024.
www.usna.edu

That’s the academics schedule you will be aiming for, so don’t avoid any STEM classes or opportunities in middle school that will position you to take the recommended HS courses.

Good study habits, involvement in organized sports, physical fitness, extracurricular activities that help you grow and develop - these all contribute to being a well-rounded individual in the areas of academics, athletics and leadership, which is what service academies look for.

Of course, stay out of trouble too!
 
Get involved in a sport if you are not already. Learn how to be a good teammate and a leader on your team.

Join an extracurricular like Boy Scouts or Civil Air Partol where it takes time to earn the top ranks. These programs provide many leadership opportunities amd show dedication.
 
PMNavy said:
What courses and classes could I take to help me stand out from other applicants?
Click to expand...
To increase your chances of getting into USNA in middle school, it is best to set a strong foundation that will carry you to outperform your peers throughout high school where your scholarship, athletics, and leadership will be most important.

During middle school, take challenging courses and keep your grades up (This is critical if you plan on applying for certain private high schools).

Focus on your physical fitness and participate in as many sports as possible.

Get involved in leadership roles outside of the classroom such as clubs or sports.

Volunteer in your community and start demonstrating your commitment to service and making a positive impact.
 
Ascend Advising said:
To increase your chances of getting into USNA in middle school, it is best to set a strong foundation that will carry you to outperform your peers throughout high school where your scholarship, athletics, and leadership will be most important.

During middle school, take challenging courses and keep your grades up (This is critical if you plan on applying for certain private high schools).

Focus on your physical fitness and participate in as many sports as possible.

Get involved in leadership roles outside of the classroom such as clubs or sports.

Volunteer in your community and start demonstrating your commitment to service and making a positive impact.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the recommendation.
 
Such great advice above about how you can use middle school to build a strong foundation, starting with great habits. As a college professor, I see everyday how success in college is built on great habits formed in high school — if not earlier.

Those great habits revolve around a few simple abilities: managing time, prioritizing tasks, teaching yourself, paying attention to detail, knowing when to ask for help, being a self-starter, taking responsibility for your results. Those abilities go beyond academics, to also cover leadership and athletics and fitness. And they’re the same abilities that make for a great officer.

So yes, start building those habits now, to the point that they’re second nature come high school. Best wishes!
 
PMNavy said:
What courses and classes could I take to help me stand out from other applicants?
Click to expand...
Also, make sure and get on SA mailing lists. Follow their official admissions social media (especially Instagram) for announcements about admissions visits, perhaps near you.

And do the same for your Senators and Congressman/woman. They often hold Service Academy Open Houses that are great sources of info.

And once you get to high school, have a convo with your school counselor. Who hopefully is familiar with SA’s. They can help you match your classes with the SA recommended courses.
 
MidCakePa said:
Such great advice above about how you can use middle school to build a strong foundation, starting with great habits. As a college professor, I see everyday how success in college is built on great habits formed in high school — if not earlier.

Those great habits revolve around a few simple abilities: managing time, prioritizing tasks, teaching yourself, paying attention to detail, knowing when to ask for help, being a self-starter, taking responsibility for your results. Those abilities go beyond academics, to also cover leadership and athletics and fitness. And they’re the same abilities that make for a great officer.

So yes, start building those habits now, to the point that they’re second nature come high school. Best wishes!
Click to expand...
I have been trying to work on my study habits and my time management, thank you!
 
justdoit19 said:
Also, make sure and get on SA mailing lists. Follow their official admissions social media (especially Instagram) for announcements about admissions visits, perhaps near you.

And do the same for your Senators and Congressman/woman. They often hold Service Academy Open Houses that are great sources of info.

And once you get to high school, have a convo with your school counselor. Who hopefully is familiar with SA’s. They can help you match your classes with the SA recommended courses.
Click to expand...
Could you define SA? Thank you!
 
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