<p>Hello all! I am a Junior in high school, and I am working towards applying for the Naval Academy, among other service academies and colleges for ROTC. I'd like to briefly introduce myself to you, and I would LOVE some feedback!</p>
<p>My 'resume':
-I am a 2d Lt in good standing the Civil Air Patrol, formerly my squadron's 1st Sgt.
-I play the saxophone in Marching, Symphonic, Jazz, and Pep band at my school. I applied for section leader this year, but unfortunately, I didn't recieve the position <em>~</em> I've lettered in Band once, and plan on lettering the next two years (Varsity letter, fyi)
-I run JV Cross Country and Track; I've lettered in Track once and am working towards lettering in both this year. (fyi-anyone on the team can letter if they pass requirements, you don't have to be on Varsity for my school)
-I am a red belt in World Tae Kwon Do, and am working towards my black belt.</p>
<p>That is a very brief version of my stats -- in addition, I am getting good grades (due to a lack of motivation Freshman year, my GPA isn't as good as I'd like it to be, I'm working on fixing that!) I've talked a lot with my BGO and local Senators and staffers... I'm sure I'm forgeting things, but these are the importants, from what I can tell.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate feedback. Advice, questions (Why do you want to go to an academy? for starters) and comments would be great! I am very excited about this, and I want you to know!</p>
<p>P.S., if you see Cougar_62 floating around, say hi from me, he's my dad. <em>u</em></p>
<p>First, you've got a great dad. And I'll bet you will get great information from him. It sounds like you're working towards a goal, which is great. Here are some of my ideas:</p>
<p>1) Focus on your grades. It sounds like you know you could have done better freshman year and you're improving dramatically. Keep improving your gpa and any admissions office will see that you have matured and know how to study.
2) Do everything you can to get a leadership position in one of your sports. If you look at the class profiles, you'll see a lot of team captains.
3) The PSAT is coming up in October. Spend some time prepping for it as it is an important part of the selection decision for summer programs at service academies. Don't worry if you don't get into a summer program, buy by getting into one you will get a great idea of life at an academy.
4) Running is important, but you will likely want to begin working on upper body strength. Take a look at the Naval Academy Workout Program book and try following it. If it's easy, you're definitely in great shape. If it's really hard, you'll know what to work on.
5) Grades are important, but so is class rank. Band is great too. And you'll find other discussions about martial arts. I personally think it's a terrific activity to prepare for a SA.
6) You will need teacher recommendations sometime next year. Make sure you are doing a great job in your classes and building relationships with the teachers who will write those recs.
7) Stay positive.</p>
<p>Navy_Hornet - we all are wishing you the very best! Keep up the great work. I just wanted to add a thought to momoftwins comments. She offers great advice. As to your concerns on your GPA during your freshman year, ease off the worry about that alittle. Whats done is done. I know its probably bothering you. Just wanted to let you know that the same thing had happened to our son who is at USMMA now. He was sweating long & hard over his GPA when he'd applied. It was lower than he would have liked due to slacking his freshman year. However, your records might be viewed as you coming ahead if perhaps by your Senior year, you can pull off A's in your AP classes. Do all you can to stay strong in your grades. They are important but so is your motivation to acheive this appointment. That will also stand out on your records. And listen to your Dad!</p>
<p>Thanks so much! In response, I'd like to add that I've already taken the PSAT and the SAT, with less-than-desirable results (1770 overall, writing was highest) and I will be taking the SAT again this October -- to prepare, I get the SAT Question of the Day from CollegeBoard.com every day, and I'm working right now on an SAT Online Prep Course, which is really helpful.
Yes, I have looked into the Summer Seminars. I am working hard right now so my applications will look good for this coming summer! I have met and talked to a few students who went to Summer Seminars last year, and they had great tips; it sounds like a blast!
My first semester of Freshman year was not good grade-wise, I got below a 3.0, but the rest of the semesters leading up until now have been 3.625 every year, and this semester I am doing really well already, so I think I will have my G.P.A. straightened out soon! I am taking three honors courses this year, and next year I will be taking many AP classes.
I do have the Naval Academy Workout Book, and have looked at it for my exercising program. I do know that my push-ups are my greatest weakness <em>~</em> and am working on upper-body strength! I will be campaigning to be team captain next year, as it is a nomination process for our team.
I have already thought about some of the teachers that I will ask for reccomendations from, and I will soon be notifying them, so they can be sure to keep an eye on me!
Thanks for your thoughts! It really helps to know that there are people rooting for me! Til next time :)</p>
<p>It sounds like you're doing everything right. It really helps when you have a goal. I'd like to emphasize that the service academies look at psat scores for summer programs. The reason for this is that most high school juniors are encouraged to take the SAT/ACT in the spring of junior year and they will not yet have scores to submit. With all the prep work you are doing for the SAT, it may prove most helpful to take the psat again next month. Best of luck. And Jamzmom is right: Listen to your dad!</p>
<p>Momoftwins and candidatemom, are you sure that they look only at the PSAT scores for the Summer Seminar? It's too late to register for the PSAT for Navy_Hornet and she's already registered for her second SAT on October 8th.</p>
<p>On the Naval Academy website, under requirements for Summer Seminar I read the following:</p>
<p>I only know that we were told by Admissions Reps from more than 1 SA that the PSAT is the best way to compare the applicants for summer programs. Early in my daughter's junior year, we attended a college fair with each SA represented. There were also a number of military colleges such as Norwich, Citadel, etc. We talked to each SA and were told the same thing for the reason listed in the post above.</p>
<p>Will they consider other test scores? Very likely. I do know that many high school juniors won't yet have their best ACT or SAT score by the time they need to apply to the summer programs. Since the majority of applicants will have taken the psat in October of junior year, it may be worthwhile to see if he can register late. </p>
<p>This is by no means a dealbreaker. However, this should be seen as an opportunity to increase the scores from a year ago. There is an extra year of learning under his belt, especially in math. I think each applicant needs any edge that could possibly make them just a bit more competitive. That's why I am recommending the psat retake.</p>
<p>Just a side note, if for some reason you don't get summer seminar, don't worry. Those people actually have a netter chance of getting a Candidate Visitation Weekend, which I think is better. I did SS, but that program is designed for trying to make the academy appealing. Nothing can beat actually staying with a midshipmen and hearing "the truths" about the academy. It is a much more rewarding experience, and I'm pretty excited about being able to take some candidates around.</p>
<p>My son took the old SAT in Nov. of his Junior year and submitted that score for Summer Seminar and got accepted. His scores weren't spectacular. If SAT is accepted, then why backtrack with the PSAT? Also, with the score of 1770 on the SAT,there is no issue of National Merit possibility. So, unless its required to take PSAT, why waste time and money and stress? I would just call up the Academy and ask? Navy Hornet, just do your best and that will always be worth it in the long run. Your SAT scores will go up. You took it early and your scores and percentile are being compared with graduating seniors of the year that the test was taken.</p>
<p>Navy Hornet and I went to our local Academy Day presentation this last Saturday (her 3rd or 4th.) The BGO grabbed her out of line, spoke to her by name and had her stand by him while he talked to other candidates. Later, after the presentation, he came over and was one upping the Air Force Liason who was trying to steer her towards Air Force (my favorite line, "The Air Force gives you 18,000 feet to land in, we give you 800 and move it around.) He did ask her some tough questions and challenged her to "stay on course and speed." He also said "I recognized you and knew your name and that's no little thing." </p>
<p>Navy Hornet, or "The Cat" as I like to call her, has been working very hard towards next Saturday's SAT on her self study course. On the beginning of the course test she was already 80 points above her score from last March, so I'm thinking she's going to really improve.</p>
<p>C/Chris, I'm not sure when Navy_Hornet will be able to get back on here, she's pretty busy. Marching Band and Cross Country are winding down, so maybe she'll get some breathing room. She is very committed to CAP and will promote as high as possible, but Spaatz may be out of reach. The regs say you must be in CAP for a minimum of 38 months and that will be May of 2007 for her, which will be right at the end of her Senior year. She's working towards 1st Lt right now and will hopefully have her Earhart before the end of Summer if she can work everything in.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the Earhart, your getting into rarefied territory. </p>
<p>I'm sure Navy_Hornet will have more to say later (and will give me c**p for answering for her.)</p>
<p>Hello... I'm back!
And no, I didn't give my dad c**p for answering for me... I just don't want to look like the girl that has her dad do everything for her...
I took the SAT this October, and got 120 points higher! (1890) Yay for me! And I'm scheduled to take it yet again, this Saturday (Dec 10th) I'm taking all the chances to increase my score that I can get!</p>
<p>C/Chris, thanks! Congrats on Earhart, keep it up!</p>
<p>Hey!
Asking for advice: I'm going to soon be asking for Letters of Reccomendations from some teachers, and other people...
What should I ask for in a LOR? What should they be expected to write? I know my teachers at least will be confused... or will have questions... got any advice?</p>
<p>NH- Good luck. As I remember, the USNA LOR were forms that we're to be filled out by one math teacher and one english teacher. At USMMA, they wanted 3 letters from folks who know you well. Can't speak to the other Academies. </p>
<p>Leadership, leadership and more leadership. That should be a constant thread throughout whatever they write. Attention to detail and follow through, as well as competency in the subjects should also be key components of a LOR, or the USNA form.</p>
<p>Something to think about, at USMMA, the Band is a huge component of the Regiment with its own company. </p>
<p>Because Kings Point is smaller than USNA, and Band Company is such a presence, Captian Force recommendations to Admissions are taken seriously.</p>
<p>Also, one of my son's team mates on the wrestling team is Matt Jones from Centennial HS in Boise. You might think of looking him up during the break and he can give you an idea about KP.</p>