<p>Well, I<code>m only a sophomore, so I have a year to decide which I want to go to, but I</code>m trying to decide between USNA & USMA...for a while, I was convinced I should apply to USNA, but I<code>ve been looking into the Army and liking what I see. I</code>m going to apply to both, and apply to both summer seminars, but what if I get accepted to both? Obviously, I<code>ll just have to decide what</code>s best for me, but I`m the type of person who likes to decide ahead of time. Any advice?
Also, are there any requirement differences between the two? Should I be doing something I`m not currently doing to prepare for USNA? I participate in sports, clubs, a decathlon team, volunteering. Anything else?</p>
<p>I’d make sure you have a solid plan B. The process you are about to embark on is very competitive and the available spots don’t always go to the most qualified candidates. I’m not passing judgement rather stating facts. Its possible to attend both summer seminars, as I believe there are 2 or 3 different sessions offered at each academy. You might get more information & feedback on the service academy forum - see link below.</p>
<p>Thank you. Yes, I<code>m also planning on applying for ROTC and NROTC scholarships, and if that doesn</code>t work out, then OCS. I appreciate the link.</p>
<p>I’ll second going to SAF - most activity from here has moved over there in the past few years and you can get all your questions answered. I’d recommend going to both Summer Seminars if you can work it out - if not, I’d try to visit both places. But more importantly, start looking into the Army vs. the Navy as far as a career. You’ll only spend 4 years at an academy and a minimum of 5 (and possibly a career) in the actual service. If you live near any bases/posts, see if you can arrange a tour. If not, read and research all you can about the services online. There really aren’t a lot of significant differences between USMA and USNA but the differences between the Army and the Navy themselves are huge. </p>
<p>Most importantly for admissions, work on your SAT/ACT scores. You probably want to shoot for around a 30 ACT minimum and your GPA should be around a 3.7 or higher. Take all the AP/Honors classes you can. I think WP looks more at leadership - team captain, Eagle Scout, Class President, Boys State are all things that are weighed very heavily. And it’s definitely good to apply for ROTC, not just to have a backup plan, but also to show the academies that you’re set on becoming an officer via more than one path.</p>
<p>I<code>ll do that. Thanks for the advice. I</code>m also planning on applying to both summer seminars. I<code>m currently taking an AP class, and planning on taking 2 (possibly 3) next year and another 2 (again, possibly 3) the next year. Class president isn</code>t an option, because at my school, once you<code>re elected for class president freshman year, unless the president steps down, there</code>s not another election. I<code>m also planning on applying to Girl</code>s State, as I hear that has a pretty good impact on the Admissions Board. I currently have a 3.7 UNWEIGHTED GPA…I know, it<code>s low for unweighted, and I</code>m trying to get it up. I had a C in math in 9th grade…and it wasn`t an honors class or anything like that… will this hamper my ability to get in?</p>
<p>One C isn’t going to totally ruin your chances assuming you show the math proficiency somewhere else - ie good grades since then and scoring high on the SAT/ACT in math. I understand you on the Class President thing but if you can have any leadership (president of a club/NHS, team captain, drum major, etc.) those are all good. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that for an academy, the area you live in will have a HUGE impact on your chances of admission. So if you’re in an area where WP is popular (NY/NJ, anywhere with a large military presence like Alabama, Texas, CA), your chances will be much lower than if you’re in a state where many people haven’t heard of the academies (ND, WI, IA, etc.). There’s nothing you can do about that, but it can help give you a realistic idea of your chances to know how important Plan B will be.</p>
<p>And I apologize for assuming you were male - drives me crazy when everyone assumes I am and yet I made the same assumption about you! ;)</p>
<p>Yep, I do live in a competitive state, but I do live in a district where not too many people apply, so hopefully I won`t have TOO much trouble getting a nomination from my representative. </p>
<p>Yes, I<code>m planning on taking as high math classes I can to show that math isn</code>t a problem. If I work, and am somewhat “in charge” of some other people, would that be considered leadership? </p>
<p>Definitely leadership at work counts as well. If you’d like to get in touch via email, I’ll be glad to help you out with any further questions that may come up. Feel free to shoot me a PM and I’ll give you the email or email me via CC and I’ll reply. Good luck!</p>
<p>Marciemi is spot on…i’m from a very competitive state, had a nomination from both a senator and congressman, had a weighted gpa of 4.4, sat 2100, act 33, captain of my sports teams, all district and all met athlete, invited and attended SLS, etc. etc. etc. and still didnt get in. The competition is fierce.</p>
<p>I’d take Marciemi up on his offer. Good luck!</p>