Service Academy Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys! I was wondering if someone could help me out with some insight about what my chances of receiving an appointment to any of the service academies (pref. USMA or USNA) would be. I’m looking into a career in medicine but I know that some of the academies do not allow their students to go to medical school until after they have completed their service. I’ve listed my credentials below:

Full IB Diploma Candidate
9th grade classes: IB World History 2, IB Algebra 2, IB Biology, IB English, IB French 3, IB Art/IB Technology,and IB Gym/Health. I also took a dual-enrollment economics class over the summer.
10th grade classes: IB Chemistry, IB Art, IB English, IB Extended Math, IB French 4, IB Gym/Health, IB Comparative Government
11th grade classes (current): IB Psychology, IB Biology SL, IB Mathematics SL, IB English, IB History of the Americas, IB Theory of Knowledge,IB French 5, and honors art 4
12th grade classes: AP Physics, IB Biology HL, AP Statistics, IB English, IB World Topics, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB French 6, and honors art 5. I test out of math this year so I am unable to take any other IB math courses.

GPA: Unweighted=3.7, Weighted:4.8
Class Rank: 19/400

ECs:
-Hospital Junior Volunteer Programs: every summer since freshmen year
-Keyettes Club: Member
-Model UN: President, former chief of staff and vice president,secretary-general of my school’s conference, active member since freshmen year, won several awards (including best delegate), created training programs for novice delegates, mentored novice delegates, created conference for my school
-Doctors of Tomorrow: secretary
-Elected IB Class Representative
-Nationally Certified EMT: currently a member of a volunteer squad (since sophomore year)
-Varsity Cross Country: assistant captain
-NHS: member
-French NHS: public relations officer
-Science NHS: member
-Art NHS: member
-Girl’s State ( I haven’t gone yet but I hope to hold a position there)
-UVA Leadership on the Lawn Participant
-UVA Mini-medical School Participant

Jobs:
-Private academic tutor

SAT/ACT:
SAT: 1800 (retaking in 2 weeks)

Thank you so much!!

2

whats the break down of your sat? I think an 1800 is a little low for the naval academy, its barely at the 25th percenitle, but its a little better fro USMA, but preferably a 1900 or better would be best with a high 600 in math. Your uw is a little low but your weighted is good. I think your ec’s are pretty decent, for how long have you done varisty cross country? have you maybe thought about doing distance in track and field if not just to ad another sport? And you can never have enough leadership positions. I think you would have better chances at USMA than USNA, but also if you have time over the summer (and you aren’t already junior) you should apply for the NASS or SLE, usually its actually harder to get into those than the academy itself so if you don’t get in dont be discouraged but if you do then thats a great sign.

3

@xSucksToSuckx Thank you so much for your response! I got a 610 on math, 590 on writing, and 600 on reading. I’m actually a junior so it’s a little late to pick up track. I did however run a season of track my sophomore year. I’ve run cross country since my freshman year and I will be running it my senior year as well. I’m also looking at applying to be on student congress this upcoming fall.

4

If nothing else you need to bring up your math score because for the academies it seems like that is the most important sub section, the higher the better. So all in all I would say get your sat higher and maybe another leadership position, oh and make sure you do well on the CFA

5

@xSucksToSuckx I appreciate your input! Regarding the leadership aspect-- I recently received the Wellesley College book award which is supposed to be for people who are seen as leaders in their school/good grades/etc. Do you think this’ll help in that category or is it just one of those meaningless awards (I’m not sure if you know)?

6

"I’m looking into a career in medicine but I know that some of the academies do not allow their students to go to medical school until after they have completed their service.

The USN has lots of line officers and not so many medical officers. They’d be happy for you to serve out your obligation as a fully trained physician. For example, a limited number of highly qualified graduates from the USNA can go directly to medical school.

Sometimes, it happens that USNA graduates who spend some time in the fleet first have life experiences that make them more attractive to medical schools which facilitates their admission.

7

@Tropicalbubble I’m not too sure about how big of a deal book awards are, I’ve heard other people on this site say they don’t matter too much but I honestly don’t know, but I’m sure it can’t hurt

8

I’m new to this forum, but actually wrote the book on how to get into military academies (Heroes at Home) which has reached one million military families. In addition, I’m a “Trifecta” mom (children in three service academies) of a USNA (2011) grad, a USAFA (2015) grad and a USMA (2017). Also, I’m an Admissions Liaison Officer. If you are in the Los Angeles area on July 11, you should attend the Los Angeles USAFA Workshop (LA Air Station), starting at 8:00 AM which gives briefings on how to get in, you can take a mock CFA (Candidate Fitness Assessment), and get a sample ALO interview and package assessment. Tropicalbubble, you need to bring up your SAT math and verbal to at least 650 each in order to be competitive (being qualified at 550 isn’t the same as being competitive). Or, take your ACT and get 30 or more on your math and verbal. Your other numbers (GPA, advanced classes), community service and leadership look GREAT. Keep running varsity cross country, track won’t help you at this point because your package is due in the fall and decisions for the Congressional/Senatorial Board will be made by the end of the year. Every appointee has to actually be nominated by a member of Congress, Senator, Vice President or President and they are only allowed a limited number (5) of cadets/midshipmen in each of the academies at any give time. Be sure you download the pre-candidate applications at the service academy of your choice and treat it as your new Bible. I just spoke at a Congressional appointee reception where five of my candidates got into USAFA. It is rewarding to work with amazing future leaders and I think you are close, but still have some work to do. The education is valued at approximately $450,000.

9

If you want to go to medical school, then the Academies aren’t really the route you want to take. Lately, due to dwindling budgets only 2 to 5 students (out of a class of 900 to 1000) go to med school. In my son’s USAFA class that just graduated (2015) 1137 entered the Academy in 2011 and 840 graduated and 3 went medical. You owe a 5 year service commitment for the degree plus any additional commitment incurred for additional training (i.e. medical school).

10

Hey everyone. I saw this post while I was looking through service acad. threads. I just applied to the USMA SLE, and my math is nearly 700, but my CR is on the low end with 540. However, I am a part of about 10 clubs, play 3 all varsity sports with vars. letters, have around 2-3 leadership positions, and have around a 3.9 overall GPA. How do my chances look? Do you think the rest of my application can make up for my terrible critical reading score? I’m also planning on taking the SAT again in February, but since I’ve already applied I can’t do much more to the application itself. Thank you all in advance.