<p>hey everyone I’m curious to see what everyone is doing to make themselves more competitive for the Academies. I just got back from MN House of Reps Page Program and then got an invite to Boys State through that Page Program. I know each of these are really good to put on resume. I do a little volunteer hours on the side. I also do a lot of Civil Air Patrol stuff which is just like JROTC, so that looks really good also. Then you got the school sponsored sports but I’m in a racquetball club outside of school also, and participate in tourneys. So I think the whole going out and finding something I like will look good too. then I have a job with about 15 hours per week. I tutor kids and a bunch of other little things. </p>
<p>I’m wondering what you all are doing though to make yourselves more competitive. Hopefully through this thread we can give each other advice and tips. So post away people.</p>
<p>Good leadership in those activities are great.</p>
<p>Remember, they're looking for an all-around candidate.
Good academics/ACT, SAT scores are also needed.
You have to pass the CFA as well.</p>
<p>One more thing to add, I know you are in racquetball club but the Academy looks highly upon varsity sports. 95% of my class earned a letter in a varsity sport. I have met a few who did not, and the reason was being nationally ranked in a sport their High School did not offer like martial arts or something.</p>
<p>i have 2 letters, my ACT scores are average for Academy. Leadership is chosen senior year for all the things I am in. What about you guys though, what are you doing to make yourselves more competitive.</p>
<p>I scored very, very well on the SAT, I co-founded my school debate team, I'm taking 5 AP classes this year and 6-7 next year, I run cross country and am working towards earning a varsity letter next year, I'm in NHS and am working towards being elected president next year, and I have already taken ap economics and am working towards taking college-level economics next year. I also do a little volunteering on the side, practice martial arts on the side, and have been accepted to the summer seminar.
So I'm definately approaching this from an academic strength, because that's where I excel. Not to mention, academics are 60% of the candidate scoring process I believe. My weakest point is athletics but I think a varsity cross country letter combined with a black belt in taekwondo will keep me competitive there.</p>
<p>Yay not a "chances" thread!! Very good question. It's good asking how to improve your resume versus asking what your chances are. All these inputs are very good and wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>BTW, good stuff darkness, i have no doubt you will make it here.</p>
<p>Darkness, your resume looks great, a little similar to mine.</p>
<p>My only athletics is baseball, and I got a LOA and appointment. What were they thinking? ;)</p>
<p>Keep your grades up, do well on the CFA, and you should be fine.</p>
<p>I am in 2012 (soon to be RECOGNIZED) but here is what I did
-Civil Air Patrol (I only joined the summer before my junior year, but took responsibility for a number of leadership roles)
-Jazz band
-Wind Ensemble (concert band)
-All city band
-4 Varsity tennis letters, national tennis ranking (top 100 in doubles)
-Really high SAT scores and GPA</p>
<p>Where I was lacking:
-I didn't have a lot of leadership outside of CAP
-My CFA was not amazing, so be sure not to forget about that</p>
<p>Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to PM me</p>
<p>You all look so good with your different strengths. It's fun to see what kids are up to these days. Just be sure to have fun at what you're doing.</p>
<p>My son:</p>
<p>2 High Schools..1 in Singapore and 1 in Texas (makes the varsity letter a bit difficult)
Football, JV this year; Varisty next year (keep fingers crossed for letter)
Ultimate Frisbee Club
NHS
LeadAmerica: Defense and Intelligence Seminar
Eagle Scout, Senior Patrol Leader
Orchestra (4 years, Letter)
Asian Culture Club
YMCA Resident Camp Counselor
Chinese - 2 years in Singapore, 1 summer immersion through Concordia Language Villages and will be completely immersed in Chinese this summer - 6 weeks in China, studying, trekking, rural and city home stay, service projects, etc
Work- Self Employed: Lemonade, Coffee and Donought Stand on Weekends and yardwork, special projects, odd jobs.</p>
<p>11 Pullups! :) He's working for more!</p>
<p>Hey guys, what else should I do to be competitive? </p>
<ul>
<li>All I.B. courses, i have a 3.6 unweighted =/ </li>
<li>Junior Class President (running for Student body prez next year)</li>
<li>Spanish Club President </li>
<li>Math team</li>
<li>crosscountry</li>
<li>Swimming (lettered)</li>
<li>La Amistad (tutoring latino kids afterschool)</li>
<li>I work at a local teen newspaper, VOX, on the weekends</li>
<li>I babysit and work during the summer</li>
<li>I am a girl, i think that might help me out...sorry guys.</li>
<li>I haven't taken the SAT yet, May 2</li>
</ul>
<p>keep taking opportunities to be a leader, be involved in your community, take hard classes, and do well in those classes. don't count on being a girl, because the only thing that this will really affect is how your physical fitness tests are scored.</p>