<p>Middle income, both parents
Ethnicity: Asian</p>
<p>SAT I (Old): 1510 760M, 750V
SAT IIs yet to be taken</p>
<p>AP:
US History 5
World History 5</p>
<p>GPA weighted (4.78)
Unweighted (3.98)
Class rank: 6 out of about 450 (above average high school in Lexington, Kentucky)</p>
<p>Clubs:
Mu Alpha Theta- 10, 11
Speech Team- 9
Academic Team- 11
French Honor Society- 10, 11
Orchestra- 9, 10, 11, 12
Math Honors- 12
Chess Club- 9, 10, 11
ASIA Club-12
Science Honors-12</p>
<p>Leadership:
Treasurer- Symphonic Orchestra
Vice President- Mu Alpha Theta</p>
<p>Awards:
Advanced Geometry Award
Advanced Algebra II Award
Advanced Precalculus Award
Mason and Hanger College Incentive Fund
Optimist Respect for Law Award
Academic Team-Governors Cup (social studies) 5th place district
5th place regional
State Top 20
4 distinguished solos- Kentucky Music Education Association
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship</p>
<p>AP Courses:
AP World History-10
AP US History-11
AP Statistics-12
AP Calculus-12
AP Chemistry-12
AP English Language-11
AP English Literature-12
AP Physics-11, 12
AP Biology-11</p>
<p>Other:
Tutor for Mu Alpha Theta (2 years) and Math Honors (1 year)
Assistant Concertmaster of Symphonic Orchestra (2 years)
Violin private lessons (10 years)- also performed several times a year for different groups
Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra (5 years)</p>
<p>Everything looks good to me, except that you dont have any athletics. Athletics are EXTREMELY important, about 85% of all entering cadets have earned a varsity letter in at least one sport. Considering getting involved in some athletics. Other than that, your stats look impressive to me.</p>
<p>I know plenty of people who got in with ONLY academics... they're struggling physically with the AFT and everything... but they got in... not sure if they'll get to stay in... but they got in... </p>
<p>with that SAT score, GPA and class ranki I'd be extremly surprised if you didn't get in</p>
<p>best of luck to you- you did an impressive job in HS- congratulations! 1 comment and 1 suggestion: consider your motivation for wanting a military career , and my suggestion is to add some physical training so that you can ace the physical exam as impressively as you aced your History AP's!</p>
<p>Thing is...those are really good stats, and sports are important, but they aren't everything. You know yourself if you're in shape or not. If you can bang out the PAE (physical test for admission) with great scores, you shouldn't have a problem. The strongest thing to USNA admissions, which no one will tell you, is actually the "special things". Those little things that set you apart from others. For instance, I had a letter of recommendation from one of my close friends who graduated from USNA in '01, but he was unfortunately killed in Iraq last year. I spoke to the director of admissions over the summer and he said that the letter "was a very powerful decision factor". You of course need a good resume, but try to get at least one little bonus. They look for those, trust me.</p>
<p>When it comes to everybody emphasizing sports, I sometimes feel like a voice in the wilderness. The USNA needs many different types of people, including really smart people. Obviously SOME people get in that don't have ANY athletic dispositions. Why not you?</p>
<p>Tbby2: The statement that SATII and AP doesn't mean anything is not accurate. Some classes accept the AP as validation. [obviously depending upon your score.] Your AP scores may be considered, in addition to the USNA-administered validation tests, when placing a mid in the appropriate level class.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Do the best you can do in everything. Then let the chips fall where they may. Not all mids are star athletes.</p>
<p>Having said that, your background, while admirable and excellent, does not seem to have a "sparkle quality" about it. Look for something in your background that will set you apart. A special recommendation [see 87], a special accomplishment, etc. Vice-President of the Orchestra [why aren't you President?] is not particularly special. Have you been selected for special honors, i.e. Boy's State, or some equivalent. Academics and selections can overcome a lack of athletics.</p>
<p>Just want to clarify: while not all candidates (or appointees) are varsity athletes or heavily involved in sports, it is nevertheless important to be in shape to pass the PAE...there's lots of ways one can prepare, practice being one of them. So while sports may not be on your horizon, getting yourself prepared to take the PAE should be on the agenda somewhere-
like everything else, the more you prep the better you achieve! Best of luck!</p>
<p>I was thinking about a possible something special for myself.... and I thought of the Academy opening up the Uriah Levy Center, the Commodore who overcame all kinds of predjudice and hatred... I was thinking could it be an "edge" withmy last name also being Levy? Possible essay topic... Not related though!</p>
<p>Another clarification: PAE scores reflect aptitude, so a non-athlete who scores well on this and has many other compelling qualifications is clearly in the running. But remember that getting appointed is only the first hurdle: surviving Plebe Summer is the second. </p>
<p>A non-athlete can survive and even thrive, but only if he/she wants it badly enough to endure the physical and mental pain of bringing yourself up to the level of your peers in a few short weeks. (The risk for injury is also far higher for those with less background in physical training.) Unfortunately, many otherwise outstanding midshipmen choose to separate due to unbearable physical fatigue. </p>
<p>This is not meant to be discouraging. Goldfish: the good news is you have time! Start a rigorous, disciplined, training program now that includes endurance running, military calistenics and weight training. If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer (considering the reduced dollar cost for college if you are admitted to USNA, its a bargin). Most people, even athletes, can't push themselves as hard as necessary without some outside influence. For athletes, the coach fills this role, but a good trainer should create a plan that you can follow during your solo workouts and also conduct at least one workout a week that pushes you to -- and beyond -- your capacity.</p>
<p>Goldfish: I am assuming you are a senior and have already begun the application process (if not, get cracking 'cause your MOC nomination deadlines are probably right around the corner). If you choose to work with a trainer you will want to consider having him/her write a letter in a few months describing the commitment you have put into your training program and articulating the measurable improvements in your fitness over that period. This would go a long way to assure the Academy that you have what it takes to stay in the game!</p>
<p>CCR712, I would stay far far away from that essay topic. It has no real grounds on why you should be here, especially if it's just because you have the same name. You can be named John Paul Jones and they won't care if you don't have a compelling essay. Stick to simply why you should be here. It's true that everyone basically writes the same thing, but honestly...that's what they're looking for.</p>