<p>So ever since I visited Annapolis in 8th grade, it's been my goal to go there. So, I'm wondering, what are my chances? And what can I do to improve my chances? Some background info. Right now I'm a Junior and I made it into the 3rd session of the NASS.</p>
<p>GPA: 4.08 (weighted) 4.0 (unweighted)
Class Rank: 7 out of 205
SAT: 1720 without prep, definitely looking to get over 2000 in June
ACT: 27, same deal no prep, looking to get 30+ in June</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars
-Cross Country , elected Captain by teammates as Junior (will be doing all 4 years, varsity letter standards are very hard)
-Lacrosse first two years, varsity letterman both years
-Track this year and next, hoping to letter and maybe captain next year
-Student Council Class Rep, hoping to be President or VP next year
-National Honor Society
-Model UN
-Academic Challenge
-Alternate for Buckeye Boys State (Ohio)</p>
<p>Volunteer Work
-Lots of service projects through Church
-I volunteer tutor math once a week
-Homeless "Stand down" event every year
Some other things, but I think this is where I'm lacking the most</p>
<p>So I think the things that I need to prove on, like I said, were my test scores and volunteer work. I think I'm good in leadership roles but hopefully I can become StuCo president. So, tell me what you all think! If I'm missing any info, which I likely am, please ask. Thanks!</p>
<p>Oh and here are the classes I’ve taken so far. </p>
<p>Freshman Year
Fresh English
Fresh History
Honors Algebra/Geometry 2
Fresh Bio
Spanish 2
(weren’t really any options for honors or AP)</p>
<p>Sophomore
Earth/Environmental Science
Honors Algebra/Geometry 3
Honors Chemistry
AP European History (4 on test)
Spanish 3</p>
<p>Junior (this year)
APUSH/ Honors American Literature (combined class, very intensive)
Honors Physics
AP Physics B
Honors Pre-Calc
Spanish 4</p>
<p>Senior Year (what I’m signed up for)
AP Statistics
AP Gov
AP Physics C (Mechanics)
AP World History (doing as independent study)
Senior English
Law</p>
<p>I’m thinking maybe I should switch out of AP Stats and go with AP Calc since the USNA site says Calculus under recommended courses. Unfortunately, my school does not offer a regular Calc course.</p>
<p>Regarding your act-the naval academy only looks at English and Math-not the composite score. what did you score in those sections?</p>
<p>the sat only looks at CR and Math-what did you score in those sections?</p>
<p>On the SAT I got a 550 on Critical Reading and 570 on Math. Not the best obviously but I think I can get those up to 650+ with some prep work. </p>
<p>On the ACT I got a 25 on English and 26 on Math. Again, with some prep work, I think I can get 30+ on both.</p>
<p>prep alot
25 is borderline eligible to even apply
unless you are a recruited athlete or a URM plan on getting a 32 in math and english</p>
<p>Ditto. And know that virtually as many re-takers go down on any particular testing as go up. Prep often helps. I chuckle when I read glib comments suggesting all improvement requires is taking the ACT and/or SAT again. Conversely, retaking multiple times, especially when only top scores are taken, almost always does allow for raising the bar. And that is what you need to do.</p>
<p>Yeah I agree, I’ll for sure work my butt of to get those scores. </p>
<p>Any thoughts on taking the SAT IIs? If so, which ones would you recommend?</p>
<p>For SAs, it’s simple. None. They don’t take them. Waste of time and money for USNA, etc.</p>
<p>Okay thanks. I might just take two anyways since there’s non guarantee I’m getting in to USNA obviously. </p>
<p>What’re some good ideas for volunteering/community service?</p>
<p>this is how it works-unless you are a recruited athlete or a URM or get a 36 on each subsection (for USNA its English and math-for the other SAs its all four subsections) then take the ACt and SAT the first time it is offered your Junior and retake it every single time it is offered until you get a TWE/BFE.</p>
<p>W.P.- you are slightly correct regarding your stats on retaking. </p>
<p>The higher your score (32+) the chances are greater that you will stay the same or go down with on your COMPOSITE score-no research has been done on individual subsection scores. Though ACT is considering doing this research. The lower your composite the the greater odds of improving. However, lets be VERY clear-statistically you will only improve your composite score 1 point after your first retest and .5 more on your second retest and .25 more on your third retest. </p>
<p>So why retake repeatedly? because composite score does not matter to any of the SAs; only the individual scores. So even if your composite remains exactly the same -or even goes down-each and every time you retake the ACT, raising your subsection scores is all that matters. So if you go down in one subsection by 4 points but go up in one subsection by 4 points-then in fact you went up four points only.</p>
<p>clear?</p>
<p>Okay I follow you. </p>
<p>Question: Which test, if either, is more important? ACT or SAT? Should I just take both as many times as possible or what?</p>
<p>The one most important is specific to you. Whichever you do better on. Remember, one is an aptitude exam and the other an achievement test.</p>
<p>LakeErie,
It’s been a while since I’ve been involved in this process but here’s my $0.02:
SAT/ACT: Pick one, doesn’t matter which, focus, take a prep class if you can afford it, and knock it out.
Your extracurriculars sound good, the more leadership experience you can get in the next 9 months the better.
Get in touch with your congressional reps (house and senate) and figure out what their nomination process is, who in the local office runs it, what the deadlines are, etc. Showing interest early can be a big plus.
If they give you the opportunity to go to NAPS for a year instead of straight to USNA you should seriously consider it. In the long run it won’t slow you down at all, and everyone I know who went had a great time. It also made adjusting to Plebe Year a lot easier since you already know a good part of your class.</p>
<p>I think I’ve decided on the ACT for my test focus. I’m taking it on June 9th. So, two months of prep starting today. I’ll focus my studies on the Math and English sections as suggested. I think I can do much better with some thorough prep. </p>
<p>I started a thread about Blue and Gold officers but didn’t get any reply. When should I start contacting mine? Now or after the NASS? </p>
<p>Another issue I’ve run into. So I live near Cleveland, Ohio and our Congressional Districts have been re-mapped. The current rep for my district, Dennis Kucinich, lost the March election for the district that my town will be in AFTER the November elections. So, currently, Dennis IS my congressional rep. for the 10th district of Ohio, but Marcy Kaptur is the rep. for district 9, which will be my district in November. So who do I go to for my nomination? How early can they nominate students for service academies? I’m not quite sure.</p>
<p>I’d guess Kucinich. This is the first time in 10 seasons that this redistricting has been an issue. I’d call the staffer in that office and ask. </p>
<p>When people have been voted out, the rule has been to stick with the outgoing MOC. But … let us know! Great question and sorry you had to ask it. More complexity on top of the already complex. :eek: 
</p>
<p>Yeah I’m thinking Dennis is my man. I’ll have to give his office a call to confirm. I’m visiting Annapolis on Thursday so maybe I could find out there as well. Thank you. </p>
<p>Any other thoughts on the Blue and Gold officers? When and how to contact mine?</p>
<p>Sure, that’s a no-brainer. Make contact as soon as you know you are definitely committed to this grueling process and equally committed to not wasting his/her time. Let them know you’re coming and you know you need their participation and help in wending your way through the maze. These are committed volunteers so use their benevolence well and genuinely. Many become outstanding resources for candidates. But be aware, some are unable or unwilling to fulfill the jobs they volunteered to do. Should that be the case? Don’t take it personally, just keep loading the wagon.</p>
<p>So the question is: email, letter, or phone call?</p>
<p>Were it me, I’d send a cover letter and resume indicating you’ll call him/her to follow-up and seek counsel for insight on learning about USNA and the process and timing on scheduling your interview. Use spell check and IF you’ve any weaknesses in your written grammar, have an outstanding proof-reader read! You want to make an outstanding first … and 21st impression. Always.</p>