<p>Hello all, after consideration, I've made the decision to aim for a spot in the USNA/USAFA. I know they are very competitive colleges, but I think with enough work I'll be able to do it. I'm here because I'm not sure what classes to take for my junior year (I'm a sophomore) to prepare for my admissions. So far my core classes are: AP Calc, Honors Chem, Honors Physics, AP/Honor English (I'm not sure which yet), and AP US History. After these classes, I have 2 remaining spots. I do, however, have the ability to take a class (2 class periods total) on engineering, which is in the field I wish to study, at a technical center. I have been hesitant about taking this because I'm not exactly sure if this is something needed or wanted at USNA/USAFA. If you have any suggestions about classes or other recommendations to prepare for admissions, any help is gladly appreciated. Thanks for reading this long question.</p>
<p>Although both Navy and Air Force love engineering, I suspect taking such a course at a tech center would help. Just my opinion. Focus on those AP/Honors course, and get the best grades possible in them. Then give extra effort to physical fitness (which has sunk many an otherwise fine candidate). Get involved with a varsity sport if at all possible. The academies expect you to be involved with some kind of sport for your entire four years there.</p>
<p>Also, you absolutely should apply for both the Naval ROTC scholarship, and the Air Force ROTC scholarship. First, because those are your best scenario’s for “Plan B.” Second, because the academies will know whether you have applied for those scholarships or not, and might suspect you of being unserious if you do not apply for them. Third, if you are not especially athletic, this might be your best path to a commission.</p>
<p>Thanks for the fast reply! And yes I’ve been involved in many sports through high school so far. Cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter, and soccer in the spring both years so far. I’ve taken a practice CFA and gotten a 9:21 half mile, 64 push-ups in two minutes (working hard in this area, improving), 14 pull-ups, and 96 curl ups in 2 minutes. I’ve looked at 2012’s averages for the freshman class and these seem good, but I’m not entirely sure what the academy really expects from it’s future leaders.</p>
<p>Glad to hear about the sports. You are doing great. Keep it up. Two things to keep in mind: 1) At your age, you will get substantially better as you continue to train athletically. By summer of 2015 you will be ready to take the CFA for real… 2) the CFA is pass/fail and thus doing great will not overcome other weaknesses such as mediocre grades nor low SAT/ACT scores.</p>
<p>ANOTHER THOUGHT ABOUT COURSES: You might consider taking a foreign language in high school. That could impress the academies. Obviously, the military is a major factor in foreign affairs. Even understanding one language would be valuable. If you do this, try to take at least two years of the foreign language.</p>
<p>Yes I’m taking a foreign language; taking my third year of Spanish this year and have been (slowly) trying to learn German. And another question, should I contact my area’s BGO/AOL now? I’ll definitely be emailing or calling them by this summer, but I was wondering if I should so he could help me with the nomination process, which sounds tricky. Thanks again for the reply.</p>
<p>Very good. You really are on top of it aren’t you?</p>
<p>No, do not contact BGO/AOL until a full year from now (junior year). You will just confuse him/her. They are dealing with current juniors. They do not need to work with a sophomore. Just keep doing what you are doing.</p>
<p>If you want to do more, start looking into ROTC colleges; especially ones in your state. AFROTC wants 80% of their scholarship students to attend state universities.</p>
<p>Choosing a civilian college is very hard work, which is why this website is so popular. The more you know about colleges the better off you will be when you go looking into it.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help, this has honestly helped a lot. Is there any advice you have for me? If not, I hope it’s alright if I message you in the future because you seem like you know a lot about the subject. Thanks again.</p>
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I disagree. BGOs have students contact them all the time from all levels of high school students. I think it’s a good idea to shoot your BGO/AOL an e-mail just to introduce yourself, state how you’re really dedicated to your goal, etc. I contacted mine once my freshman year and said, “Hi, my name is soandso. I’m only a freshman, but I’ll be applying in a couple of years. Do you have any advice?” and he gave me some good advice and information about my district. I think it’s good to get your name out there.</p>
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Always aim for the CFA max’s, which are published on USNA’s website: <a href=“http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Candidate-Fitness-Assessment.php”>http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Candidate-Fitness-Assessment.php</a>.</p>
<p>Also, here’s USNA’s catalog which has excellent info about recommended classes: <a href=“http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/”>http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/</a>.</p>
<p>Plan on applying to Girl’s/Boy’s state junior year (it’s during the summer). The SA’s think highly of it. Also apply to USAFA’s summer seminar and USNA’s (again, junior year). They also act as the preliminary application. </p>
<p>Thanks for your opinion and advise. I think I will be able to have the max scores by the end of the summer as long as I don’t become injured.</p>