My chances for admission....

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I'm new to these forums, so I apologize for the lengthy post. (I'm posting this on both USNA and USAFA forums) I'm growing a bit anxious as I'm awaiting the final word from either academy, so in the meantime I'd like to know if anyone had any idea of what my chances might be for acceptance.</p>

<p>Over the course of high school, I've been pretty involved and for sports I have completed:
2 seasons Baseball (sophomore/junior)
2 seasons Wrestling (junior/senior)
2 seasons Winter Track (freshman/sophomore)
1 season Spring Track (freshman)</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I haven't received a varsity letter...does this have a large bearing on acceptance? </p>

<p>Moving on...</p>

<p>Extracurricular includes:
Science club Vice-President (2 years)
Debate team member </p>

<p>Other activities:
Worked part-time in the summer
Altar server at local church
Currently training to receive pilot's license</p>

<p>-
3.33 GPA (unweighted)
3.75 GPA (weighted)
Grades have been decent, although I've had a few slip-ups in my AP courses.
Ranked 41/200</p>

<p>SAT's - 1320
[630 Verbal, 690 Math]</p>

<p>-
I'd also like to mention that my brother is currently a senior at West Point. Does this affect my appointment in any way?</p>

<p>In closing, I'm triple Q'd and I recently received a letter of nomination from my congressman, but I'm sure most of you will understand that I can't help but be nervous about what's coming next.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>As previous posts have pointed out, being triple-Q's and having a nomination puts you in pretty good standing for an offer of appointment.</p>

<p>At this point in the process, I wouldn't agonize over whether earning a varsity letter is the deciding factor. Sure varsity would be better than JV and higher SAT's better than lower SAT's. However, the academies have consistently stated they are looking at the whole person. You have to take them at their word.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, with USNA, you will likely remain nervous for awhile longer as it has a reputation of stretching out the offers of admission until May - and even a couple in June at times. </p>

<p>I doubt I have helped you much since, at this point in time, I don't think anything but an offer admission will reduce your nervousness.
Try to go on with life during your vigil.
Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the quick response. Although I'm fairly confident, you're right that the only thing right now that would help is knowing that I'm accepted. </p>

<p>Oddly enough, I'd rather hear today that I have not been given an appointment as opposed to hearing in June that I have. It's a stretch, but at least with the former, I'd know for certain.</p>

4

<p>hmmm. I would say you have a shot. Where are you from? Is you high school really competetive? Your high school rank is lower than what I would expect those who received an appointment thus far had. Your SAT is good though.</p>

<p>To be honest, you are likely going to come down to the wire depending on where you are from. Your lack of a varsity letter may be damaging. The Service academies are really looking for athletes and leaders, and over 85% of all incoming plebes at al service academies have received one. Those who didn't were usually eagle scouts or debate team captains. They are also those who could not do sports or participate in EC's because they had to work to supplement the family income. However, I do think the USNA had 89% varsity participation and 85% letter winners, if I am correct.</p>

<p>Your brother being a cadet at West Point probobly won't do a whole lot for you at USNA or USAFA. It may give you an extra point, but it won't get you in. If you were applying to USMA, that's a different story.</p>

<p>I think your biggest weakness is your limited leadership roles, class rank (though I don't know how competetive your high school is), and the lack of a varsity letter. The academies like to see candidates who have gotten recognition for their efforts. I think you have a shot, but you may not hear anything for a month or so, only because your record isn't the strongest they have got.</p>

<p>But don't worry about it too much, I am in the EXACT same boat your are in. I'm not LOA material, my SAT score was somewhat low (though I just retook it) but I am a distinguished athlete, I load up my schedule, and I come from a competetive area/school district. I'll post some of my stats so you can see what I mean. Someone who has gotten an appointment or knows slightly more about what the service academies are looking for may be able to be more focused. Good Luck!</p>

<p>GPA 3.87/4.0 (no weighted grades at my high school)
Rank: 40/351 (top ten most competetive school districts in the country, 95% of grads go to college)
SAT: 620M 640V (one thing that concerned me, but I retook)</p>

<p>Here Is a partial list of my extracurrucular involvement: </p>

<p>CLUBS
Key Club<br>
Youth and Government Club<br>
German Club<br>
German Honor Society<br>
National Honor Society </p>

<p>SPORTS
Cross-Country (2 years varsity)<br>
Basketball (1 year varsity)<br>
Track and Field (3 years varsity) </p>

<p>LEADERSHIP ROLES
Class Officer (Secretary)<br>
Model General Assembly Representative (Youth and Government Club)
-Page<br>
-Delegate<br>
-Senator<br>
-Committee Chairman (Committee on Education)<br>
JV Basketball Team Captain<br>
Kidz Online Video Team Leader (<a href="http://www.KidzOnline.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.KidzOnline.org&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br>
Member of 2001 Northern Virginia YMCA Student Leadership Conference
Alternate Night Produce Supervisor (Wegmans)<br>
Cross Country Squad Leader<br>
Newspaper News Section Editor </p>

<p>AWARDS
First Place History Fair<br>
Second Place History Fair<br>
County Science Fair<br>
Most Outstanding Earth Science Student<br>
Chemistry Olympiad<br>
“Physics Court” King (two time winner)<br>
Varsity Letter (2) (Cross Country)<br>
Academic Varsity Letter<br>
Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students (two time winner)<br>
Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students Sports Edition<br>
Coaches Award for Cross-Country (two time winner)<br>
Honor Roll<br>
AP U.S. History most outstanding student for 2003-2004<br>
All-District Cross-Country<br>
Varsity Letter (Basketball)<br>
Varsity Letter (Track & Field)<br>
AP Government Most Outstanding Student 2004-2005</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Elementary School Tutoring<br>
24-Hour Relay for Life (American Cancer Society)<br>
Annual High School Red Cross Blood Drive Volunteer<br>
KidzOnline.org<br>
Falcon’s Landing military retirement center volunteer </p>

<p>OTHER
Part-Time Job at Wegmans Food Markets (Produce Customer Service)<br>
Kidz Online Internship (<a href="http://www.KidzOnline.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.KidzOnline.org&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br>
Independent Film Club (Actor)<br>
Civil Air Patrol<br>
Newspaper<br>
Marine Science Consortium Course: Coastal Ecology</p>

<p>My class schedule for this year:
World Literature
Advanced Composition
AP Biology
AP German
AP Government
AP Statistics
AP Calculus
Physics
Newspaper</p>

<p>I addition, I have a rich military family history, with every generation of my family, mother's and father's side, male and female having served in the military since World War I.</p>

<p>I am fully qualifed at West Point, still have't heard from Navy (my eyesight isn't 20/20 without glasses) and I received a nomination to both USMA and USNA.</p>

<p>Lastly, I have already received a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship to VMI and Virginia Tech. Haven't heard from NROTC yet or from Texas A&M.</p>

<p>Again, I haven't yet received an appointment, or even a QQQ letter from Navy, but I didn't get my paperwork done until less than a month ago. Hopefully things work out OK, I admit I too am kind of nervous.
If anyone would like to comment on my chances, stats, etc. feel free.</p>

5

<p>Wow, that's very impressive. I'd imagine that you would receive an appointment before me, but I'm still hoping I get one in the near future since the paperwork has been in for a while. Just received the nomination on Saturday, so it could be any time.</p>

<p>Commenting on the competitiveness of my school, I'd like to mention that it is extremely competitive. Some students have already been accepted to Harvard, Princeton, and MIT, to name a few. Very smart class...although I don't know if it's quite up to par with yours.</p>

<p>In any case, good luck to you. I'm sure the only reason that you haven't been QQQ'd is because of the fact that your paperwork was not done until recently. Other than that you're very well qualified. Too bad it's not up to me, since I'd pick you. If that means anything...</p>

<p>All I know is I'm keeping my fingers crossed.</p>

6

<p>If your school is competetive I would say you are getting in. New England is a very competetive area. You have to understand, just being where you are puts you in a very select group. Of over 14,000 who likely started the admissions cycle, having a nomination and being Triple Q'd means that you technically have over 75% chance of getting in (not counting a possible opportunity to attend the prep school).</p>

<p>Would you rather go to the USAFA or USNA? I imagine you want to be a pilot seeing that you are working on getting your pilot's license. Good luck to you, I am pretty certain you will get in.</p>

7

<p>By all means, I hope that you're right. A little confidence boost goes a long way.</p>

<p>As far as my preference for USNA or USAFA, I'd have to go with Annapolis. I feel that although the Air Force is a great way to get into the aviation career, I'd simply have more options in the Navy. Don't get me wrong, though...both branches have remarkable programs. But for instance, I could become a naval fighter pilot, or go into the Marines and fly Harriers for a living. From my experience and what I've learned about both, my top choice would be Navy....with Air Force coming in a close second. </p>

<p>God I'd love to fly that Raptor, though.</p>

8

<ul>
<li>Just got my varsity letter in wrestling...should I notify the academy?</li>
</ul>

9

<p>Yes by all means send an email to your regional director and he/she will add that to your file. I've done that with a couple of new distinctions...as they say, "can't hurt."</p>

10

<p>rchlebek05
you got your varsity letter today? are you not wrestling the remainder of the season?</p>

11

<p>Well the season's over for my school, so we're not wrestling anymore.</p>

12

<p>rchlebek05
what about section, state and NE tournaments?</p>

13

<p>Since I wasn't on the "final" varsity lineup, I didn't make it to sectionals. Still managed to get the letter though. </p>

<p>I'm assuming from all the questions that you wrestle. If so, at what weight?</p>

<p>I was at 135 most of the year, but I got bumped around from as low as 25 up to 40.</p>

14

<p>I just signed up to CollegeConfidential.com, and after 3 days of exploring the immense amount of threads and folders on the three service academies I am interested in. I have seen an endless amount of “How are my chances” with people that are nothing but superhuman. I would like an honest opinion and some helpful comments from ANYONE that could help me. I have applied to all three Summer Programs for USNA, USMA, and USAFA. I hope to be very involved in this website, because it has already given me so much. Here are some of the main “Facts” about me. I live in Southern California near Port Hueneme. I also have a AIM SN and If you would like to chat ro give me some comments please feel free to send me a PM.
Any suggestions are ok, as I will do anything that will better profile. Thanks for you time and consideration.</p>

<p>GRADES
GPA: 3.87
Class Rank: 72/498 (National Blue Ribbon School) very competitive
PSAT: V:49 M:69 W:56
I am currently taking an SAT course, and the most recent proctored exam I received V:590 M:690 W:750 (Taking March SAT)</p>

<p>CLUBS
Math Club<br>
Armed Forces Club
Computer Science Club </p>

<p>SPORTS
Track(1 year)
Football (2 years) </p>

<p>LEADERSHIP
Member of 2004 National Student Leadership Conference
Member of 2004 National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence & Diplomacy
Senior Sales Associate (Circuit City)</p>

<p>AWARDS
Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students
Highest Honors in California Golden State Exam </p>

<p>VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Volunteer at Teen Center
Volunteer for the Bush Re-election Campaign
Volunteer Feeding the Homeless program
Acolyte at my church</p>

<p>OTHER
Part-Time Job at Circuit City (Part Time Aproxx. 30 hrs/wk)</p>

<p>I am currently inquiring on a local Law Enforcement Explorers, Sea Cadets, and another “leadership” type program. I am trying to get as much community service in as I can. Does anyone know of any programs that combined both and emphasize on leadership? If so I would like some information or anything to help me research it.
I am highly motivated, very competitive, and I will try anything that will better my chances of getting into one of the three service academies I plan on attending (USNA,USMA,USAFA)
I do know I need to supplement on sports, any ideas on what I can start or finish that will look the best. Thank you for all your comments and I hope to learn tons of information of this AMAZING website.</p>

15

<p>Honest feedback? Ok...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You are borderline at best for the summer program. TAKE THE MARCH SAT if you want a shot - PSAT's/SAT's are the most important determinant. March SAT's might be back in time. Typical PSAT's are 60-65 or above on the V and M portions.</p></li>
<li><p>If you can deliver on those sample SAT's, you'll be in much better shape for actual admission. Is your GPA weighted or unweighted?</p></li>
<li><p>Rather than adding MORE activities, increase the depth of the current ones. You don't mention if you've got varsity letters in those sports - if not, you want them. You should get leadership positions in your existing activities, rather than add additional. "Member of" a leadership program has much less impact than "President of" or "Captain of".</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Good luck!</p>

16

<p>Actually, I think you will be surprised to know that most of us posting on our chances are not really superhuman. I know I'm not. Some do have high SAT scores and class ranks, but for the most part they just have a strong desire to serve and have a unique college expierience. I know that I was waitlisted for Army, and I don't expect to get Navy, to be honest (though I was really high on the nomination list, at least 2nd or 3rd (don't think I am primary, cause the office wouldn't tell me). Honeslty I am really interested in the Coast Guard right now. I visited that and the Point and really liked CG. It's nice since there are no nominations, its all your ability. So I am not competing with the best of the best in my district, while someone in, say, Idaho would compete with a much smaller pool of applicants and almost certainly less competitive.</p>

<p>Welcome to the forums though, everyone is helpful and good luck with your summer programs!</p>

17

<p>Sorry guys, i wasn't trying to be offensive. I live in a very competitive are, but i know from last year's congressional nominations, none were as outstanding and succesful as some of the people in these forums(including DrSnipe). I am sorry for offending you but i would just like to know why my district is so low compared to some of those in for instance DrSnipes District. I have the highest desire to serve my country, which will help with the BGO interview, i will have the highest SAT scores i can possibly get, I will definitely strive for a letter, maybe in Track and Feild, and I will have a very strong scheduale for next semester. Thank you for all your input, and if anybody else has any, please just go ahead and give it to me. Once again, sory to DrSnipes and all the other high achieving members of these forums. Thanks again.</p>

18

<p>Oh by the way, Kate, my GPA is unweghted. Thank you for your help.</p>

19

<p>First of all, keep up the good grades. You have a decent resume, but two things stand out to me. One would be the Verbal on the SAT (I know they aren't official and you will be taking these soon). If you don't break 600 you can pretty much consider yourself dead in the water. My daughter's BGO told us this last year as well as some people in admissions. Your extra-curricular activities, while probably fine, don't stand out much at all. Make sure to elaborate on the responsibilities, offices, duties and accomplishments of these extra-currics. ALso, agree totally on increasing the depth of them as opposed to adding more. I think the 30 hours per week work schedule is good and would put some emphasis there. Mostly though, if I were an admissions rep, I would have to say, that you might fall into oblivion with all the other smart kids with lots of stuff on their resumes. Make yourself stand out, especially coming from a competitive district. Good luck to you. I hope you get to go to SS, but don't freak if you don't get into these programs. It won't mean you won't get considered for admissions the following year. Stay strong and focused. Good luck.</p>

20

<p>Thank you NAPS05mom, I really appreiciate your input and will defintely get that Verbal section sky high. If you have any suggestions as far as standing out in a competitve district I would appreciate those too. I just wanted to thank you for your support.
SL</p>