<p>Hey guys, I am planning to apply for SLS next year. I am curious on what I should do to get into the program. Judging from the other threads, I don't think I can make the cut.... but what little chance do I have? What should I do in the next year to get accepted?</p>
<p>Summary: I realize that there is a lack in the academic field because of focusing on extra curricular activities. I am trying to work on school this year.</p>
<p>GPA:
Freshman 1st and 2nd Semester: 3.0 (Personal Problems during this year)
-Geometry Honors
-Biology Honors
Sophomore 1st Semester: 4.0
-Algebra II Honors
-AP European History</p>
<p>Sports:
Varsity Swim Team since Freshman
Swimming since 7 years old</p>
<p>Clubs:
Key Club Divisional and High School Officer
-Division 25 Mananger Of Technologies
-Home Club treasurer
Christian Club Officer
-Secretary</p>
<p>Community Service:
-Sunday School Teacher
-Over 150 hours of community service hours</p>
<p>Job:
-I run a webhosting / web design company, as well as a consumer's electronic online shop.
-Currently working at a tutoring center (Kumon) doing administrative work.</p>
<p>Piano Competition Placements:
-Bach Festival Honorable Mention 2005
-Bach Festival Branch 2005
-Bach Festival Regionals 2005
-1st Place SYMF 2005
-2nd Place SYMF 2006
-Bach Festival Branch 2006
-Bach Festival Regionals 2006
-3rd Place Bach Festival Complete Works 2006 </p>
<p>Looking at your resume, I think you are an outstanding young person, very well-rounded. You have increased your GPA an ENTIRE grade from Fr. year, that is fantastic! Definitely shows you're motivated & that's a plus.</p>
<p>You have already identified what you know you need to work on, good for you. Keep at the schoolwork, keep the grades up & continue to be active with the EC's.</p>
<p>And tuck this away for the future azncreazion, my son did NOT get accepted to SLS last year & was very upset. However, 1 yr. later he is joyfully holding Appointments to USMA, USAFA & USNA. Tenacity & personal goal-setting indeed makes a difference.</p>
<p>4)As you begin to think about registration for junior year classes, consider taking the most challenging level of each class. For example, consider taking AP Chemistry. Since plebe year Chemistry has quite a reputation of being difficult for many cadets, you'll have the advantage of better preparation. Also, you'll be able to show Admissions that you are gearing your high school studies to help meet your ultimate goal of attending West Point.</p>
<p>5)If you're a swimmer, it won't hurt you at all if you cross train by running. And it will certainly help once you begin Beast.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. It's very smart to begin researching and preparing early.</p>
<p>i dont know if this was just a typo or anything but just wanted to put it out there, you mentioned you weren't sure how DIII recruitment works, but swimming is a DI sport at west point, i'm sure all the other core varsity sports are DI as well.</p>
<p>as for swimming at west point it's highly competetive, and just recently got a lot better. they have a new head coach who seems to be doing really well cause times are dropping fast. if you have any questions on being recruited for swimming, i'll try to help out as i'm currently being recruited by the swim coach right now for WP 2011.</p>
<p>As I typed it, I thought "hmmm, is that what I mean?" Then I just kept going and forgot to correct it. Of course, you're right and I was wrong. </p>
<p>I'm now officially having senior moments - even though I'm not an official senior yet. So now, everyone can be on notice. I will have more typos. I promise. Reely! ;)</p>
<p>If you're a swimmer being recruited by WP, you must be awfully fast. My other daughter was a high school swimmer who also played water polo for years. I know how hard the reely (;)) elite swimmers have to work to be successful. I commend you and wish you all the best.</p>
<p>As a fellow asian, I will say this- many colleges have higher expectations from the asian population. They are held to higher standards for marks. </p>
<p>I had nothing close to your improvement in GPA- kudos, that's fantastic. Just stick to your passions and don't scramble around trying to do everything. You're on the right track. DO make sure you take at least precalc if not AP Calc BC (don't bother with AB, just add the extra subject for BC). DO try to take APs or the hardest curriculum your school offers. </p>
<p>The extra curric looks amazing! Just keep it up!</p>
<p>PSATs- they love 95% and above. SATs, same deal. Take the ACTs too while you're at it for good measure. I didn't have a percentile difference between the two. SAT2s are always nice but not a necessity (I must have cost my parents over 1k in testing fees alone!)</p>
<p>Just be an upstanding and outstanding citizen. Focus on your passions and when you're at interviews, be passionate. Do what you believe in.</p>
<p>PS- learn what you can about mathematica, TRUST ME.</p>
<p>The most evil and devious computer program used for calculus 1 and 2 (I'm not so sure about Calc 3 because I only need one year of calc for premed/biochem)</p>
<p>It's available for mac and windows, but you'll probably be using a black dell there.</p>
<p>Azncreazion- it may help if you register for the october and december ACT's like I did, my PSAT score was pretty bad, 84th percentile:P, but both my ACT's were 29's, and 95th percentile. Also, an advantage to taking it twice before applying(I did at the end of december, and I am attending session 1 this year) is they take your highest subscores in each of the 4 areas. This will help you look even better. My best scores average to a 31 composite. I think in the actual admissions process, you will be able to explain the problems affecting your GPA, which will, as CelticClan07 said make you seem very motivated in their eyes(and I'm not saying you are not, thats huge improvement and I applaud you) and that is HUGE. Best of luck to you this semester in keeping your sophomore 4.0!</p>
<p>GPAs are nice, however you still need to be balanced. They don't accept raw brainiacs, they want someone who embodies the "warrior scholar" or pen and sword ideal. Don't take classes to "fluff" your GPA- they WILL notice. They'll still accept a dip in GPA if you suddenly tack on a whole bunch of APs or IBs (hopefully your school curves more generously than mine!)</p>
<p>You don't need to expand too much on your current activities, but like I said, balance.</p>