<p>I've just finished my sophomore year and significantly improved myself in all areas that admissions has looked at after having a rough freshmen year. So, I'm just curious as to what my chances are as of now and what they will be if I continue on an upward path.</p>
<p>Academics
-3.33 GPA
-1 Honors class which was taken freshmen year
-This years classes consisted of all CP classes, which is the next level beneath honors.
-Next years schedule will consist of Honors British Literature, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Chemistry, AP European History, a theology course (mandatory), and my school has a group of classes called minors which are also required, French 2. (I switched from public school where I took Italian to a private school which did not offer Italian and so I had to start with French 1.)
-Took SAT as an 8th grader and scored 1,000. Don't now specifics about the scores, but I'm obviously going to be taking them again Junior and if need be senior year (already starting to prepare).</p>
<p>Athletics
-JV Baseball, hopefully and probably V next year.
-Working out now for V football for next year.
-Hopefully by the time I graduate I'll have Varsity baseball and football with 2 letters for each sport.</p>
<p>Extra Curricular Activities
-Debate
-FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America),
-Mock Trial
-NHS (made it for next year, only open to Juniors and Seniors)</p>
<p>Awards/Leadership
-Numerous debate awards and degrees in the National Forensic League
-Made regionals/states this year for FBLA, elected as Vice President for 08-09
-Voted Best Advocate in Mock Trial (for trial)</p>
<p>Well, at first, you can try to get more leadership positions in different clubs and teams rather than just joining a myriad of clubs. I also strongly advise that you study for your SAT and raise your score as well as with your ACT + Writing. In addition to that, I also recommend that you challenge yourself in terms of class courses, instead of taking the bare minimum, which would increase your GPA and your overall rank in the school as well. Also, remember to apply for the West Point SLS during the December of your Junior year, this will help you decide whether or not you REALLY want to attend a military academy. If you have any more questions, just message me before June 29, 2008; as for credentials, I am currently appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 2012, and I also attended the West Point Summer Leaders Seminar.</p>
<p>I wish I could have taken harder classes, but due to slacking off freshmen year the school wouldn't allow me to take higher classes. This year I met the requirements for honors and took the most challenging classes I could take. As for clubs, I joined clubs that interested me. I know having four different clubs is a lot and only having one leadership position doesn't look good, but I have two years to go to improve that. Would you recommend leaving a club? Such as debate or what? The clubs which I have the best chance to gain leadership in are Mock Trial and FBLA (which in FBLA I'm already VP).</p>
<p>Would leaving the Debate Club make room in your schedule to join another club where you would be able to gain a Leadership Position? If not, you should probably just stay in there so that you can gain experience and enhance your speech skills. As long as Debate doesn't interfere with the other clubs, then just stay in it. You also have other chances at leadership positions by joining Boys State(you would have to coordinate with your counselor in order to get more information on it), church groups, Boy Scouts, and Civil Air Patrol. Just remember that QUALITY is much better than QUANTITY; they don't care about the millions of clubs you are in rather they only care whether or not you hold a leadership position in them. And remember to try to do a lot of sports and gain a leadership position in them(it doesn't have to be Captain or Co-Captain if that isn't possible). All in all, sports, clubs, and grades; maintain them and try to excel in each of them.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your advice. I feel pretty confident about attaining a leadership position in Mock Trial and become president of FBLA. I'll also be looking into Boys State. As for sports leadership roles, what else is there besides (co)-captain?</p>
<p>With sports, I think the only other position that you can get would be Team Manager, Equipment Manager, and Water Boy(although that really isn't anything). Just remember to strive to do your best and always look for the chance to attain a leadership position, never hesitate, just do it; also, keep on top of all of your activities, make sure that you don't slack. In addition to that, when you apply for an academy, be sure to maintain a checklist of all of the things that you have or have not completed so that you complete everything efficiently. As such, ensure that you start speaking to your Congressman and Senator during the Spring of your Junior year so that you get to know them and that they know that you're interested in applying to an academy(this will help your chances in attaining the nomination).</p>
<p>Thanks again, I already contacted my congressional rep and inquired about an internship for this summer. Unfortunately he had two college students that were already selected, but he said to contact him again next year which I plan on doing.</p>
<p>That's good, but be sure to apply for other nominations as well. The other nominations are Vice-Presidential, Service-Connected, Senatorial, and Congressional; make sure that you look into each of them.</p>