<p>I have just been looking at a GPA calculator sight and realized that the grading scale that my school uses is a 93-100 not 90-100. I have a 3.3 with 1 honors class so far. That would be a 3.7 in regular grading scale. This quarter Ive really stepped it up.I have about a 3.6 or 3.7. But I know that even I keep a 3.6 throughout highschool and take all the AP and honors classes Im signed up for,The 3.3 will way me down, and I dont know if the Academy, or any other college will take that into consideration. My school requires over 100 service hours. I play football and Lacrosse. Help would be appreciated, thanks.</p>
<p>USNA will ask your school to send a school profile that will include the grading system used. </p>
<p>Depending on how good an athlete you are, consider contacting both the football and lacrosse coaches at USNA. Back it up with an athletic CV, any tapes you may have, and any significant awards/distinctions/stats.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight. I dont think that im college football material yet, but our team has a coach with some connections, so im not counting it out. Also, I goto a college prep school thatis one f the toughest around and always gets someone into the naval academy or military academy every year. Would that be something that would go into the school profile and help me out? thanks.</p>
<p>It will help to a degree, in so far as the admissions board will already be familiar with your HS program, as well as how graduates from there have fared at the academy, as opposed from coming from a school that has never had an applicant/appointment to USNA. Having said that, the admissions board will have a better way of assessing your performance compared to your peers from your school- thus, class rank is looked at carefully as well as your course load, grades, etc. In the end, your file will have to stand on its own merits. </p>
<p>If you are better at lacrosse, it would not hurt to contact the coaches at navy. Don’t leave it up to your HS coach to do that. In any event, it is good that you are playing a team sport, even if you are not the recruited star of the team.</p>
<p>Keep up the good work and concentrate on those grades. Make sure to take a calc class as part of your math sequence. If you have yet to take SATs, consider taking practice tests over the summer [under timed test conditions] and work on any areas of weakness [math SAT/ACT will be weighted more than verbal, although both are important].</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. Another question, my school doesnt do class rank does that mean that GPA and course load wil matter more. Also, I hear that physics is also a big class for USNA. If I keep up with the same science courses, I would take regular physics junior year and AP physics senior year. Should I even bother taking AP physics, since it is the hardest science class in the school and Ive already taken physics? I will definenly be taking AP calc in senior year, so Ive got that covered. Thanks.</p>
<p>Some, perhaps many will suggest taking the AP physics. Our Mid did. It helped. Is it essential. No. Generally, and I said GENERALLY (not always), the more the better in terms of enhancing your math and science abilities. And this could be an added benefit if your able to prove sufficiency in physics, as it will loosen up your schedule in your last year or 2 for preferred electives and/or enhancements to your USNA program. </p>
<p>But, you are the lone ranger in knowing your circumstances and how AP physics may or may not make sense. One year’s sufficient, two’s generally better, if it works. But you’ll not be “docked” for NOT taking AP physics. Most don’t. So, summarizing some more, there are several possible, apparent upsides. Only you know the potential downsides of taking it, and the potential upsides if you don’t.</p>
<p>It will be important to have your school send a class rank to USNA. They may not give it to you or make it public for your class/students, but it will be requested and it is in your best interest to explain to guidance that you need it sent- even if just an estimate. Most schools do rank, even though they do not make it public. If you explain the need to have it sent it should not create an issue. </p>
<p>Continue with your courses as planned. Plebe killers are Chem and Calc, and both are taken the first year [unless you validate out, which just moves your other required core courses up a semester]. If you have not already taken Chem [I assume you have] make sure to get that done [some students will opt to take physics before chem so that chem is more current in their gray matter] AP physics would be the way to go and will help you no matter where you go. USNA, like most other highly competitive colleges, wants to see that you have challenged yourself based on the courses offered at your school [thus, another reason why they ask for the school profile- it will include what AP classes are offered]. </p>
<p>DO NOT plan your coursework solely on USNA. There is a lot of time between now and then- and the “then” may not happen… Thus, you should be planning your coursework to be as competitive as possible for ANY school to which you apply. Who knows- maybe MIT is in your future!</p>