<p>Does going to SS really help your chances of getting in that much?</p>
<p>Please understand that I didn't mean at all that you weren't a strong candidate. Just make sure to elaborate your accomplishments in the activities that you do. I sit on a scholarship board and you wouldn't believe the load of crap (I mean applications) I read. You'd think some of these applicants were going for the Nobel Prize. The ones that have a few really solid activities that they have done for a lot of years and taken on leadership roles within them mean so much more than 5 pages of "clubs" and a listing of every volunteer activity you have ever done. The latter seems contrived, at least to me and makes my eyes glaze over. The applicants with passion for what they do wake me up. I know I'm not on the Navy panel, but as an adult who has found in the 40 years I have been alive that I am not that unique in my thinking, I typically think very similarly to other adults my age. So, I am only talking as a mom who has survived the application process with my daughter. ;) That would be about it in my recommendations. Keep studying for those SATs (ick).<br>
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>You mentioned work expirience in ur previous post. Unlike most teenagers I do have a passion for working and keeping high standards, in school and the work place. As far as depth, other than my scholastic ciriculum, community service and work are my specialties. I have had many accomplishments at work, and i was wondering if a Letter form maybe a Store Director could express this passion I have..... Im just reaching for things at this point, but thank you for you help.</p>
<p>ZN:</p>
<p>You need to make yourself unique to those reading your resume.
Check into the Boys' State/Boys' Nation opportunities through your American Legion.
Strive for Leadership positions--Crew Chief for volunteer Activities, Organize something etc.
You must bump up those SAT scores, or you will be lost in a sea of applicants just shy of the cutoff. I have been told that you need a MINIMUM of 600 each on verbal and math, and a MINIMUM composite of 1300 for your best scores of each of these two sections.
Nominations for your area are very competitive, you must stand out.</p>
<p>Summer Seminar gives you another recommendation for your file. (From your squad leader). While not required, I have been told it helps.</p>
<p>The current class of '08 does not consist of "superhumans"; it is made up (for the most part) of goal driven kids who maximized on their talents and made up for deficiencies with other activities. They knew what the criteria are and strove to exceed them.</p>
<p>Good Luck with your quest.
CM (now plebemom)</p>
<p>CM:
Minimum to become a candidate and competitive for an appointment are entirely different. Obviously the higher the SAT score, the more competitive the candidate, but, I would not suggest that a 1300 combined SAT score is the minimum (it is not)-more competitive, absolutely, minimum,no.</p>
<p>USNAForce
Does SS really help that much? Based on our experience I would have to say that it very very very important. My son, who did not have an LOA, received his appointment in early January. To be perfectly honest, his academic record is not that stronger that most of the rest of the postings here. While he has been recruited as an athlete by many schools and hopes to play a varsity sport at the Academy. he was not a recruited athlete. Frankly, we can't figure out why he got his appointment so quickly. The only thing that we can think of is that he was able to find out some of the comments that were made about him coming out of SS. They were very good- specifically noting his attitude and hard work. So if you have a chance to go to SS, you have an opportunity to convince your squad and platoon leaders that you are right for the academy.It appears to really help your chances not only to get an appointment but to get one early in the process. It is so hard to judge attitude and fitness for military life on paper. My son tells me a story from SS when they were doing PT and he was in the front row. At one point they were in the middle of doing pushups and he happened to catch the PT leader in the eye. My son said that he just gave the mid a big smile because he was so happy - to be on the yard, to be with the mids, and to be given the opportunity to attend SS. That is something that can only be observed in person. I hope he can keep that in mind this summer!</p>
<p>Sempergumby:</p>
<p>The 1300 SAT minimums were told to us during an informal visit to the Admissions office when my son was a sophomore. The admissions person was very clear that those with less than this score were unlikely to be considered for appointment. I will agree, however, that exceptions can and will be made for extenuating circumstances. But since he falls under the largest general category of applicants, (not a recruited athlete, for example) I still believe that the 1300 rule would apply.
CM</p>