Hi,
I apologize for the lengthiness of this post already, but I just wanted to provide as much info as needed for an informed decision to be made.
I am currently an African-American, female, high school junior at State College Area High School, State College Pa. Recently, I have become quite interested in attending West Point not only because of their overall excellence, but specifically how their courses line up with my career interests. I am largely interested in international affairs, and am currently applying for various study abroad programs including YES Abroad. Academically, I have taken a rigorous course load throughout my freshman and sophomore years.
No official SAT SCORES YET, but from a full-length practice test scored by a learning center and various practice tests:
Reading: 760-780
Math: 660-670
Writing: 750-760
PSAT SCORES (FRESHMAN YEAR)
Reading: 78
Math:73
Writing:77
Freshman year was as follows:
Phys Ed P 0.5000
Health A+ 0.5000
US History A+ 1.0000
Spanish 1 A+ 1.0000
Adv English 9 A+ 1.0000
Adv Biology A+ 1.0000
Adv Geometry A+ 1.0000
Chorus A+ 0.5000
GPA: 4.5000 Total Credit: 6.5000
Unfortunately, my school did not offer an advanced history course for our year that year.
These grades resulted in a 4.5 GPA weighted, 4.0 unweighted.
In addition to this, I had been participating in JV cross country for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade. I was a letter winner all three years and co-captain for all three. In addition, I participated in JV Track and Field for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade and was a three-year letter winner in that as well. The reason I include 7th and 9th grade is because my previous school was a Junior/Sr. 7-12th grade high school.
Sophomore Year was as follows:
yes I know that B- looks rough 
Arabic 1 A+ 1.0000
Chemistry 1 B 1.0000
Adv Algebra 2 B- 1.0000
Adv English 10 A 1.0000
Adv World History 2 A 1.0000
Adv Strings A 1.0000
Driver Safety A- 0.2000
Phys Ed 10 A 0.5000
GPA: 4.2985 Total Credit: 6.7000
Junior Year first marking period grades:
Adv Strings A 0.0000
Select Phys Ed Next Semester
Precalculus B 0.0000
AP English Lang B 0.0000
Adv Geology A 0.0000
Adv Oceanography 0.0000
Arabic 2 A 0.0000
AP US Hist A+ 0.0000
AP Government A 0.0000
AP Psychology Next Semester
CUMULATIVE GPA: 4.3937 Weighted; 3.8425 Unweighted
I am concerned about my chances in admission to West Point and other service academies mainly because I didn’t participate in any sports my sophomore year. Unofficially diagnosed by my school physical trainer, I suffered from shin splints which eventually turned into stress fractures as I continued to run. This is not listed on my physical however as my family doctor failed to note it officially.
In addition, 10th grade was a large transition for me as I moved from a less academically rigorous school where I held current Valedictorian status to one that was much more rigorous and I am in the top 10% of my class. Now that I am in my junior year, I attempted to play JV tennis this fall but early into the season was forced to discontinue play due to double sprains (high and low) on both of my ankles, a possible side effect from my relative flat-footedness. As I reach the middle of junior year, I am trying to determine whether or not I should pursue the service academies in addition to regular College Applications, or mainly focus on one or the other. I plan on participating in Varsity Track and Field this spring.
I did maintain physical fitness by independently working out in our school’s fitness center, and I hold various leadership positions:
VP- Diversity Club
VP- Chess Club
Secretary- Speech and Debate, President next year
Orchestra: Principal Violist
Freshman Rep: Spanish Club
Language Experience:
Spanish (2-5th grade, 9th grade)
Arabic: Arabic (I and II, 10th, and 11th grade)
Independent study Russian: Mango Languages
HONORS/AWARDS:
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Semi-finalist 04/15
Pennsylvania Bar Association Mock Trial Regional Qualifier
State Finalist, Congressional Debate, Pennsylvania High School Speech League: State Forensics Tournament (Date: 03/2015)
Principal Violist, Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association District Festival
Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association, Regional Festival Qualifier (Date: 03/2015)
Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association, District Festival Qualifier (Date: 01/2015)
State Qualifier, Congressional Debate, Pennsylvania High School Speech League: State Forensics Tournament (Date: 03/2015)
Semi-finalist, Congressional Debate, Princeton Invitational Tournament (Date: 10/2015)
National Recognition, Bronze: National Spanish Exam (Date: 06/2014)
Butwin-Elias Science and Technology Award Competition, 1st place (Date: 06/2014)
Speaker of Merit, Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Finals (Date: 03/2014)
Catholic Forensic League National Qualifier: National Grand Tournament in Chicago, Illinois (Date: 05/2014)
National Forensic League National Qualifier Tournament Finalist (Date: 05/2014)
Selected for Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Orchestra (Date: 11/2013)
Degree of Merit, National Forensic League (Date: 10/2013)
Degree of Excellence, National Forensic League (Date: 11/2013)
Degree of Distinction National Forensic League, accompanied with a ruby pin. (Date: 01/2014)
Wilkes University, Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, 3rd place, Extemporaneous Speaking (Date: 09/2013)
Scripps NEPA Regional Spelling Bee: Certificate of Merit, 3rd place (Date: 03/2010)
OTHER EXTRACURRICULARS:
Speech and Debate (7th-current)
During my time in Speech and Debate, I participated in the events of Extemporaneous Speaking, Extemporaneous Commentary, Oral Interpretation, Congressional Debate, Declamation, and Impromptu. I have competed at the state, local, and national level in these events. I was bumped up to Varsity Speech and Debate my Junior Year and qualified to attend Nationals in Chicago, Illinois in Extemporaneous Speaking. I achieved 5th place in Varsity Congress at the State level.
Leo Club (10th)
Volunteer work to benefit the community.
Cross Country (7th-9th)
I participated on the Girls’ Junior Varsity Cross Country team and the supplementary summer conditioning periods.
Orchestra/Adv. Strings (4th-current)
Principal Violist (4th-9th grade)
Assistant Principal Violist (10th grade)
Principal Violist (11th grade)
Chamber Orchestra (11th grade)
Principal Violist
Spanish Club (9th grade)
Freshman Representative
Computer Club (9th grade)
Mock Trial (10th-current)
Tri-M Music Honor Society (10th-current)
Participating in two or more musical groups, maintaining an A average in music classes, achieving excellence overall academically, and participating in musical community service is a requirement for this prestigious musical honor society.
Future Business Leaders of America
I competed in Business Math as my FBLA event.
Chess Team (7th-current)
Co-Team Captain;Treasurer, competed at the State tournament in Carlisle, Pa in May of 2013. Achieved recognition of 5th place as a member of the school team.
Math Club (9th-current)
I participated in a variety of local tournaments, competitions, festivals in addition to actively participating in other math related activities within the high school. I currently am a member of the State High Math Club.
