<p>First of all I would like to say: Hello everyone!</p>
<p>My name is Sean and I am currently a junior in high school. I am an Honors and AP student wishing to one day become a helicopter pilot in the United States Marines. I've set my sights on going to the US Naval Academy shortly after graduation and am currently in the process of gathering information on what the USNA is looking for in potential admissions.</p>
<p>Since as long as I can remember I've loved the Marine Corps and everything about it. I am the namesake of a Master Gunnery Sergeant who has served in the Gulf War, Somalia, and multiple tours in the current Iraq War. Along with that, I have had a deep rooted ancestry in the US military. In the past few years I have seriously considered pursuing a career in Marine aviation and would LOVE to go to Annapolis to pursue my dream. Unfortunately, my passion has not done much in the way of helping me sort out a truly navigable path towards commissioning.</p>
<p>So, I've come to this forum to see if anyone can help my stressed-out-high-schooler mind figure out what I need to do with my life to even have a chance of being admitted into the USNA. I've read somewhere that about only 10% of candidates are accepted and admitted into the academy.</p>
<p>I'll begin with the extracurricular activities I participate in. I am a former Explorer in my local volunteer fire department (of which my father is a firefighter). I am currently in the process of becoming a full member of the department and anticipate that I will be doing some training for that. This might be a stretch, but I was a student council representative during my three years in middle school. I really should be in more clubs these days, but I'm not quite sure which are the best looking for colleges. I would like to join my school's Amnesty International branch, but I don't know if that's the best looking thing when applying for a government funded service academy. In school I play the Baritone in our symphonic band and outside of school I play the piano and synth. My hobbies include hunting, playing music, and reading nonfiction books.</p>
<p>My grades in high school so far have been fairly decent. In my freshman year, my final average was in the mid to high 80s. My sophomore year is an area of great concern to me. My final average was in the mid to low 80s with my final grade in Geometry being an abysmal 65. As a result of my low score in Geometry last year, I am enrolled in a Basic Trigonometry course and will take the Algebra II and Trigonometry Regents next year. Up until this year I have been in my school's Honors English program, but last year I took the English Regents exam. I am advanced a year in the science department and have completed the AP World History course. This year I will take the AP exam in American History. I live in New York and my Regent's scores have consistently scored in the high 80s and low 90s. Currently in my junior year I am maintaining an 89 average and I have been placed on the honor roll. My only major concern with my high school grades is my sophomore slump. My Geometry grade really killed what would've been an otherwise excellent academic year. It also placed me behind my graduating class by one year in the math department. Will this play a major factor in how the Naval Academy will weigh my application?</p>
<p>In September I requested an informational letter from the USNA that suggested I begin taking the ACT and SAT exams. I am registered for the next SAT exam, which will be given on December 4th. I took the PSAT last year, but for the life of me cannot remember where I scored. I do recall being told by my guidance counselors that I scored above average, even considering that I had no prior knowledge of the Geometry topics presented on the test. I'll try to dig those scores out of wherever they are ASAP and I'll be sure to report them to this thread. I have confidence that I will do great on the SAT, but I would like to know if I should take the ACT as well, just as a safeguard.</p>
<p>The informational letter I received also mentioned applying for the Summer Seminar in January-March of my junior year. Is this a mandatory thing I have to do, or is it more or less a glorified campus visit? And for now, should I be worrying about the congressional nomination?</p>
<p>I also understand that physical requirements must be met for admission. I am currently 5' 10" and only 115 pounds. I'm thin as a rail and I don't want that to get in my way. I'm packing on the pounds every chance I get from now until my medical examination. I doubt this would interfere with my acceptance into the academy, but I wear prescription glasses and I'm not sure how that will effect my chances of being selected for a career in aviation in the Corps.</p>
<p>Finally, if I were to be accepted into the USNA, what would be my priorities in ensuring that I will be accepted into a flight program. In short, what majors should I take and what programs should I enlist in?</p>
<p>I hope you understand where I'm coming from and where I want to be after reading this post. If you feel you can help me out by mentioning something I left out, please do! It feels like college is just a day away for me, and I don't want it to sneak up on me, especially considering my interest in the highly selective USNA.</p>
<p>All the help I can get is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Thank You!</p>
<ul>
<li>Sean</li>
</ul>