<p>So, I have been watching these boards for quite some time, actually since the beginning of my application back in 2004. There is a plethora of excellent information of all facets of NA life which i have gratefully taken advantage of. Keep up the good work.</p>
<p>My question is, to the advice of my school counsuler, i applied as a minority, half-white, half chinese, even though i do not consider myself one, so does this have a potential positive effect on my application? I really wouldn't want my racial situation to affect my application. </p>
<p>Against affirmitive action, i am totally against the choosing of one qualified indivdual over a lesser merely because of race. Appointment should be based upon merit alone. </p>
<p>Second part to my question: My GPA/Class rank wasn't spectacular due to some issues during my high school career, nothing illegal, nothing bad, just things that were out of my control, take my word on that. Now, even though my grades were, i think, below the academy's sterling standard, my SAT's i felt were competative, i believe a 2120. So, does the academy look at my SAT's as a indicator of intellectual ability and GPA as a factor of work ethic? So if my SATs were competative enough, would my grades maybe be....not disregarded, but considered in conjuction with my SATs?</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this, hopefully i'll be able to join all you there on June 28th. Go Navy!</p>
<p>
[quote]
My GPA/Class rank wasn't spectacular due to some issues during my high school career, nothing illegal, nothing bad, just things that were out of my control, take my word on that.
<p>Yep, in my essay, in addition to my application i sent by mail 2 more letters of reccomendation, from a family friend who is a Naval Commander, and my counsuler explaining the GPA/CR. Hopefully they will interpert this gesture as a bona fide effort to gain admission.</p>
<p>Ahhh . . .the old race question comes up. If only incidentally.</p>
<p>If you don't consider yourself a minority, why did you check the box? [All it took was a counselor suggesting that you should deny a deep-seated belief that you are "totally against . . ." to get you to do it?]</p>
<p>That's fine. Just realize that virtually nothing in life is based upon merit alone. Nothing. You will get acceptances, jobs, appointments, etc. based on your geographic location, friends, ethinicity, sports ability, etc. and, maybe, even a bit of merit thrown in. Consider, for example, that you can become President of the United States based solely on who your father is or who he knows. [Before the conserevatives get all riled up, see GWB and JFK.]</p>
<p>If you didn't want your racial background to affect the decision--positively or negatively--then it sounds as if you could have indicated anglo.</p>
<p>Generally, Asian-Americans are not considered under-represented minorities at the secondary education level. Thus, no affirmative action is directed towards that group of Americans.</p>
<p>At the risk of sounding insensitive, don't rely on your ethnicity for jack, because that will simply lead to attitude problems on your end and resentment on the part of others.</p>
<p>When you check the box, just state the truth. I checked Hispanic because I am one, not because I thought it would get me any favors. If they're going to give me something mearly because my parents were born across some arbitrarily-drawn line somewhere, then I'd rather not get that thing, as it is obviously worthless. I'd much rather get it because I EARNED it MYSELF.</p>
<p>Now, concerning your grades. You are not the only one to have "issues". My first two years of HS were abysmally bad. C's, D's, and F's were prevelant. What happened? Simple. I didn't study. My own bloody fault. How did I fix it? I kicked some serious a$$ in my second HS for Junior and Senior years. It got me into NAPS, and NAPS got me into USNA, where they would have had to carry me out in a box before I'd quit.</p>
<p>So the advice is this: Be truthful on your application and documents. Continue working hard to improve where you are, and ensure that they know you have a burning desire to attend the place. After that, it really comes down to factors you can no longer control: your health, the number of applicants, the quality of those applicants, your MOC, and maybe even what the Admissions Board ordered for lunch that day.</p>
<p>Finally, if you're serious about this, then ACT serious. Get into the fray and start swinging. I had classmates who had had drug problems in HS, yet they still got in. If they did it, you can, too.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I checked Hispanic because I am one, not because I thought it would get me any favors. If they're going to give me something mearly because my parents were born across some arbitrarily-drawn line somewhere, then I'd rather not get that thing, as it is obviously worthless. I'd much rather get it because I EARNED it MYSELF.
<p>Honestly, I agree with what has been stated, if you haven't always considered yourself Asian in the past I would check the Decline to Respond.
What I have heard is that Asian (Chinese) is not considered a "minority" group that requires recruitment. There are many qualified Asian applicants (basically, it's not a need area). Versus Hispanic, Black American, American Indian, etc. that are considered "minority" recruitment.
The admissions process is a whole person evaluation but grades and SATs are assigned points...it's all about reaching the magic number.</p>
<p>Despite grades/scores, you are still competing against the others for a spot. If others have equally competitive scores and a better gpa, then you will have to find another way to excel and out-compete them. The CFA is a great way to do this and extracurriculars can certainly help.</p>
<p>You ROCK Zaphod!
If only MORE people of all ethnicities had your attitude right now.
We are AMERICANS for God's sake!
Stop Balkanizing this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1</p>
<p>I agree...you are what you and we're fighting for the same flag and dying for the same people and as American of African decent...my race does not in anyway change the patriotism or passion I have for my country and its citizens</p>