How do I look? USAFA summer seminar, and Naval Academy Summer Seminar Admissions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>I am a junior in high school, and recently applied to the USAFA summer seminar and will apply to USNA summer seminar on Feb 1. I am really stressing about my chances for both academies and am just looking for some quick insight.</p>

<p>High School: Public/Michigan </p>

<p>GPA: 3.90, 4.0 Weighted
Class Rank: Doesn't Rank
Class Size: 310</p>

<p>Test Scores:
ACT English: 26
ACT Math: 32
ACT Reading: 26
ACT SR: 24
Essay: 10/12
PSAT Verbal/Critical Reading: 55
PSAT Math: 69
PSAT Writing: 59
SAT Math: 680
SAT CR: 530
SAT Writing: 610</p>

<p>Academic Achievements</p>

<ul>
<li>3.99 Weighted GPA/3.90 Unweighted</li>
<li>National Honor Society</li>
<li>Honor Roll 3 Years,Principal's List 3 Years</li>
<li>Honors Chinese Level 4, International Club, Chinese Class Representative.</li>
<li>Freshman Year Debate Team, and Debate Class</li>
</ul>

<p>2) Athletic Achievements</p>

<ul>
<li>Birmingham Unified JV High School Hockey 2 Years</li>
<li>Seaholm High School JV Golf Team 2 Years, Will be on varsity this year.</li>
<li>6 Years of Birmingham Rangers Travel Hockey-Tier II State Champs </li>
<li>Medalist (top 3) in various golf tournaments</li>
</ul>

<p>3) Civic Involvements</p>

<p>-Over 70 Hours as a Student coach and skating instructor with Detroit Dragons Youth Hockey Association (Detroit inner city youth). Teaching underprivileged youth how to skate and learn to play hockey.
- Student volunteer with Birmingham Fire Department</p>

<p>4) Work/Job Experience</p>

<ul>
<li>Referee(ice hockey):2007-present; USA/MAHA Level 3 certification(achieved higher level every year)</li>
<li>Caddy: 3 Years Birmingham Country Club and Oakland Hills Country Club</li>
<li>Ice Cream worker: 2010-present; 20 hrs/week in summer - 10hrs during school year</li>
<li>Janitor: 6 years; clean law office</li>
</ul>

<p>5) Leadership Positions</p>

<ul>
<li>Co-Captain of Junior Varsity Golf Team 2 Years</li>
<li>Travel Hockey Co-Captain, 2+ years</li>
</ul>

<p>6) Other Noteworthy Achievements(s)/Experience</p>

<ul>
<li>6 Years of Chinese Classes</li>
<li>International travel: (2008)Field Trip To China with 8th Grade Chinese Class. Visited Shanghai, Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruise, Xi An, and Beijing (2009)Paris and Rome </li>
<li>Michigan Certified Boaters License</li>
</ul>

<h2>- Father Served in United States Marine Corp, Grandfather served as a United States Army Air Force Pilot, Grandmother served in Coast Guard and other Grandfather served in the United States Army. </h2>

<p>Also, i applied to USAFA summer seminar and the site gave me the name, phone number, and email of my local liaison. Will it give me a leg up to contact them and let them know about me and get to know them?</p>

<p>Thanks for your input!!!!!!!</p>

2

<p>Wrong site for USAFA info. You look fine generally. But you need to realize tht NASS is a recruitment tool, used to ID and attract both strong potential candidates from traditional profiles as well as specific priority groups that may relate to color, creed, ethnicity, geography, and other factors. The only point that is said many times …while this is a terrific first step, do not read too much into this in terms of competing for appointment. It is neither a major plus nor minus …unless one does not receive a candidate number regardless of attending or otherwise. I’d be very confident you WILL receive a candidate number regardless of whether you get accepted for NASS or not. NASS will be tougher to gain admission to than USAFA, and may be received at a later date.</p>

3

<p>thanks, I appreciate your valuable insight. If there was one area that was going to give me a tough time in terms of admission to one of the SA’s, do you have an opinion or thought regarding what it would be?</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes, your SAT-CR score (530) is about 100 points too low. Take it again.</p>

<p>And of course, a complimentary round at Oakland Hills (South course) for your BGO wouldn’t hurt. :wink: (just kidding)</p>

5

<p>Luigi’s nailed one factor, for sure. And we’ll assume you are hump-busting to get all your PT scores in “pass” shape and more. These are both items YOU can control.</p>

<p>2 other majors that only your Maker can take for you …

  1. Medical/Dental items. While many shortcomings or issues are not cast-in-stone deal-breakers, in any case, beyond doing what you need to do …get your physical, stay healthy and sound, and pursue waivers as necessary …this one’s, at least beyond those items, beyond your control, mostly.</p>

<ol>
<li>Nominations - These can often be complex and also out of your control beyond doing what you are supposed to do and preparing for the interviews, should they come. But by their nature, they are political. So pursue, prepare, practice, perform, pray.<br></li>
</ol>

<p>And if you’re not a praying lad, then Heaven help you! :confused: hmmmmm …</p>

<ol>
<li>Keep working, behaving, communicating, performing. Make sure your line of progression is ever-upward.</li>
</ol>

6

<p>Thanks Luigi59 and Whistle Pig for your responses. Since none of my test scores will be in before Feb 1, which test scores should i put on my application? On one hand i feel it is good to show the academies i am taking action and starting early, but on the other hand some scores may appear better to the board of admissions than others. Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated. </p>

<p>Also, i am taking the ACT in Feb, and for school on march 1st. Does the naval academy let you update your scores even when you are under consideration. I want to apply on the first day that NASS opens so it would be great to know whether or not that will be a destructive decision or not.</p>

7

<p>Also, when applying for any US academys (West Point, Naval, Air Force, etc.) Be aware that they greatly consider comittment to things. So if you’ve done hockey since 8th grade be sure to continue throughout your high school career. This also applies to classes, such as foriegn languages…continue taking the language all four years. Also, going to the summer seminars are more for your benefit to see if you really want to go the military route, as doesn’t really affect if you get accepted or not. But be sure to do the summer programs if you can, becasue then you can get a small taste of what’s it’s really like, (they go really easy on you during the summer programs compared to the real thing!) Just try to be in leadership positions and keep the grades up!!! Also, if/when you go in for your interview with a senetor or congressman for your appointment be sure to get they at least 15 minutes early. They give you a huge thing to fill out that you have to have done before the interview! good luck!</p>

8

<p>Your trepidation re: scores is understandable. That said, your gaming of them matters not. USNA cares not one bit if you’ve taken 1 time or 101 times. They only care about 2 things …your highest scores in math and verbal on the same test. Not even the same test event. No credit for trying early, hard, etc. And no punishment for blowing them as many times as you might.</p>

<p>As for NASS apps …apply early and add your scores when received. Call them to add. btw, generally it is “true” that NASS neither adds nor detracts from one’s potential appointment. That said, while not exclusive,there is a high correlation between NASS attendees and USNA appointments. Not cause nor effect. Simpy symptomatic of many. And doesn’t that make simple, perfect sense? Of course.</p>

9

<p>Yup - the CR score is too low. Also, the “Corps,” as in The United States Marine Corps" has an “s” - it’s not a corporation - it is THE BIG GREEN GUN CLUB!</p>

10

<p>Thanks to all for your valuable responses. I am going to apply for NASS tonight and i am wondering, which of my test scores look the best? Should I use the ACT or SAT? I am aware of my low reading score on the SAT, but my math is good and i’m not sure which looks better when the academy reviews my statistics. Any insight is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>