<p>I am currently a junior in high school and as i watch my dream slip away day by day, i am both saddened and angered. Angered by the fact that throughout all of my efforts, an 87.6 average is the highest i have been able to attain. Saddened by the fact that all of my extracurricular activities are in very good standing as well. As i have come to the realization that this is not even close to academy standards, i would like to thank those who have answered my rare questions. Albeit i have been lingering here reading everyone's messages for around 3 years.</p>
<p>I am still determined to apply even with the nearly impossible odds this coming spring. I am just wondering that if i am rejected if anybody has any suggestions on what i could do to increase my slim chances. Having visited the academy several times i know that it is where i want to be. My desire to attend would be considered fanatical by some, and yet through all of my hard work, i will most likely not have an appointment to show for it.</p>
<p>And don't forget ROTC. What you can do is your best. If you've done that, the Big Admiral will honor your efforts. Remember the end game. And it's not to go to Annapolis ...it's to serve your country. Good luck. With a heart and determination like yours, you'll win.</p>
<p>While we agree that the "game" will end the same way (commissioned officer in the USN), as you know so well the goal (and dream) of some people does include the United States Naval Academy experience.</p>
<p>usa13 - regardless of your GPA, your SAT scores will count more. Take them again. And again. </p>
<p>Apply to NASS. </p>
<p>Max the CFA. </p>
<p>Remember, for the class of 2012, 30% had a SAT verbal score of less than 600, 18% had a SAT math score of less than 600, and 9% were in the bottom half of their graduating class.</p>
<p>Please don't give up if this is what you want to do. My son was just accepted to NAPS -- and he has a cumulative GPA of 3.86. His SAT's were good in verbal, not so good in math, but he was gearing up to cram to take them for the 4th time when we got word he could go to NAPS. Work on your leadership -- join and run for office in every club or group you can get in. Work on community service, start your own community service project. Work out, get with coaches and tell them what you are trying to do and ask for their help. My son's teachers and coaches were very encouraging, went online with him to look at what the standards for USNA were and designed work out programs for him, which he has worked diligently at. Take difficult classes next year or next semester. Print out a photo of USNA and put it in your room so you see it every morning and every night. If this is what you want, you must put your whole heart and soul into it. Look at ROTC programs, call your local high school's ROTC Commander and go see them. Ask for help. My son is not the best student, he's a pretty good athlete, but not naturally, he works at it. Same with grades. What I think people saw in him more than his resume was determination and perseverence. If you do all these things and you do not get into USNA, you will have set yourself up - in the least - to be a very attractive candidate for almost any other college and people will want you. Look also at the other service academies -- Coast Guard, Merchant Marine -- I am told you can come out of there and go into the Navy also. Don't let yourself get down -- keep your eye on the ball and push ahead!!! Definitely apply for summer seminar -- I think applications start in Jan. Keep checking the web sites. My son got into both West Point and USNA's summer progams. Also, apply for Boy's State. Look around and see where you can make a difference and go do something every single day!! Keep track of everything you do - no matter how small, no matter how insignificant you think it is. These things start to have a cumulative effect and people will start to notice and want to help you. Lecture over!! Keep us posted.</p>
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i am both saddened and angered. Angered by the fact that throughout all of my efforts, an 87.6 average is the highest i have been able to attain. Saddened by the fact that all of my extracurricular activities are in very good standing as well. As i have come to the realization that this is not even close to academy standards
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<p>How have you come to this realization? From reading this forum? I hope not. Don't sell yourself short.
You are not telling us the whole story - you have a B+ average - so what? What courses are you taking in high school?<br>
It is too soon to give up. Regardless what you hear on this forum - you don't need to be a "superstar" to get in. There are many factors and many options - including NAPS and civil prep school.</p>
<p>About your EC's - what are they like? I see from another post you play football and lax. Are you on the varisty team? Team captain? What else do you have on your resume.</p>
<p>Kids who head to NAPS may have a little lower academic record - perhaps weak Math or science or weaker SAT's but they offset this by the EC's and demonstrated leadership.
Remember the academies look for the scholar/leader/athlete model. Few candidate are equally strong in all three and showing outstanding strenght in one factor can offset weakness in another.</p>
<p>Quit being sad and angry - highlight the positive. You might not get in or get in on the first try but you won't have quit before you started.
So, what are you taking for classes in high school? How are your math and science courses shaping up?</p>
<p>I assume if you have visited the Academy grounds perhaps at some point you have toured the crypt of John Paul Jones under the base of the Chapel? Perhaps you have read a bit about what may have been his most famous or most commonly recounted battle between his ship; the Bonhomme Richard and the HMS Serapis? I’m sure many on board his ship looked around as their ship was shot to hell and began taking on water with fires raging and assumed victory was unachievable. So how did Jones and his crew turn the tide of battle and prevail? They did not resign themselves to what the “common man” might consider the inevitable. </p>
<p>Luigi's right ...and mine shared your dream of USNA. So I don't diminish this dream nor its importance to USA13. Nor should he surrender before he even gets into the fray. So if my observation sounded that, be certain it's not intended as such. Even John Paul Jones kept his options as plentiful and plausible as possible. Go get 'em. Don't give up the ship!</p>
<p>My oldest was about your grades and did not apply to Navy but got an NROTC scholarship and just got named Battalion Commander of the Carnegie Mellon University Unit. He has loved his NROTC experience and will be commissioned a USMC 2nd Lt in May. USNA is just one avenue to serve.</p>
<p>look into the citadel and vmi your grades will put you in there and even though its rotc and not the academy it is the "24/7 Uniformed" lifestyle and once you get into the fleet people will know the rings almost as well as they know the academy ring</p>
<p>You've gotten so much good advice, I hesitate even to chime in. </p>
<p>But let me add that first, you're still a junior. While your grade point AVERAGE is important, when you apply next year, if your "average" is determined by more A's in the important subjects of math and science during your junior and senior years, that will be a big plus FOR you. So, while your "average" is important, both what you score highly in and when you do it (as a junior and senior) will count in your favor. Second, as so many have said, it is the "whole person" they are looking for. My son has similar scores to you and has taken the SAT 5 times to improve his scores -- and he just landed a civil prep offer from USNA. I'm sure that it was also his extra-curriculars, his sports and other things that helped him -- as well as his positive attitude. Part of his attitude is, "I will do whatever it takes to graduate from a service academy..." (not just "get in"). And, he has been positive in the face of disappointing grades and low SATs -- but he improved them all by putting in his time and effort into math while keeping up with everything else. </p>
<p>So, while we all get discouraged every once in awhile, it is good that you had the guts to ask your question in this forum. Everyone who has answered your post is trying to help you to succeed and willing to take some time to give you some pointers. You've got a year to show you can do it, and I think you can. If that year isn't enough, then maybe it will take another year, or another. As someone said above, you can keep going until you're 23! Believe me, 87-88 percent is a solid B -- think of the SENIORS out there with the same GPA who are still working at improving their package... you've got another year to improve! So be positive, and seek out those who can help you to achieve your goals.</p>
<p>if the Mids I knew felt that way, we would have lost against Rutgers, not pulled that rabbit out of the hat against Temple, and damm near almost got Notre Dame! </p>
<p>Heck- if usna is what you want, then start making the necessary changes to make it happen! The glass is only half empty if that is how you wish to veiw it- but in reality, half empty is half full, so work on getting the rest of it filled before you pull the plug on what's in there already!</p>
<p>If its grades, you still have the rest of this year, and at least the start of next- to up the anti. Get extra help. Get a tutor if you have to. Keep fighting until there is no fight in you left, then get up and fight some more!</p>
<p>As for the standards posted by USNA they tell just a part of the story- and many posters have already explained that there are other factors that will be looked at- and a B+ average is within the range, and certainly within the range for NAPS or NROTC, both exceptional programs! But use the time you still have available to you to try and get your grades as high as you can- way, way too early to throw in the towel!</p>
<p>If you don't get in straight out of HS, so be it- not the end of the world, and as many as 1/3 of the incoming class come in with at least one year of post-high school study- either a PG year or a year of college- even two- under their belt. So the question is-how bad do you want this? Figure out what it is you need, and then get a plan together to achieve it!</p>
<p>dude, you are putting this place on a pedestal. Some of the people who get in here are not that swift if you know what I mean. Apply if you want to get in.</p>
<p>The academy does a very good job of reviewing the whole person and may take you based on the fact that you are more than your grades make you out to be. </p>
<p>If you want to get in here keep on trucking. As my roommate JayBee above said, you can apply till you are 23. If you want to get in here you can.</p>
<p>From what I have seen of you though, you come to post on some internet forum where there are hundreds of people you have never met asking them to pat you on the back and say it is ok, you can do it. Seriously? you think you have no shot, and you come here of all places looking for support by telling us that you have a fanatical drive to go to the academy? Here is some real advice. If you really want to come here, spend more time talking to admissions and your blue and gold officer and less time posting on the internet. Trust me, the former will get you much closer to admission than posting here will.</p>
<p>And one last thing, does anyone know how i can find contact imformation for my local blue and gold officer? I can't seem to find anything online.</p>
<p>There's a list in the catalog on this</a> page.
It may be outdated, in which case you can call admissions and ask for contact info. I would suggest sending him a letter in the mail introducing yourself and telling him of your interest in the Academy.</p>