<p>I would just like to know if anyone had any suggestions for me regarding my chances to be accepted to the Naval Academy. I am a Junior in high school this year. I run Cross Country and Track ( both of which, I am a captain), My weighted GPA is a 3.85 as of right now (after this year, however, it should be a 3.92) which (I'm guessing) is around top 15% of my class, My SAT scores are Math-640, C.R.-500, and Writing-520. I started a Unicycle Club at my high school where I am the President. I am on our student body Executive Board, I'm an Eagle Scout, I am a member of our school's National Honor Society, and I have served numerous leadership positions in Boy Scouts, including S.P.L. (basically president of the troop). I am unfortunately from Virginia Beach, which is probably one of the most competitive areas to apply from, however I am not going to let this bring me down. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me to maybe improve on something or do.</p>
<p>Your extracurricular activities are excellent. Especially good that you are team captain in varsity sports, and that you started that unicycle club. Your academics (GPA, and ACT scores) are about average for the Academy. So, you have about as good a chance as anybody.</p>
<p>Obviously you understand how extremely competitive it is to get into any of the service academies. So, you need a back up plan. If you are really interested in a Navy career, then you also should apply for the Naval ROTC scholarship. You should be able to start your application sometime in June, although no official date has been announced yet. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get your first choice of college. The Navy has quotas at each college, and once that quota is full then you will not be sent there. Be careful about reaching too high. For example several Ivy League schools have NROTC, but it can be a big problem, for example, if your scholarship is assigned to, say, Yale or Cornell but you do not get admitted there. I recommend outstanding schools, but not elite ones. Consider University of Rochester, Tulane, Boston University, and Villanova, for example. If you really think you like a military environment at college then you have the great options of Virginia Tech with its Corps of Cadets, plus VMI (which is probably tougher than the Naval Academy). Otherwise, UVa should be your state school on the application.</p>
<p>Good Luck! =D> </p>
<p>What are your prospects for nomination within your congressional district or state? Do you have family connections to the Navy? </p>
<p>Another thought about Naval ROTC. The University of Michigan has a Naval Architecture major. One of the few outside the Naval Academy, and the best one outside the Naval Academy. It is also a tier 1 major (meaning that the Navy would love you to major in it). So, if that major holds any interest for you, then I recommend applying to U.Michigan.</p>
<p>Personally, if I were to do NROTC over again, I would want to major in Naval Architecture at Michigan.</p>
<p>Thank you NROTCgrad for your response. Oh and I just found out that after being on the waitlist for Summer Seminar, I just got in. Will this help out when it comes time to seek admission? Yes I have started to look at an NROTC scholarship as that is what my dad did. He went to VMI, which is my first scholarship choice. Thank you for your help and advice. To answer woogzmama’s question. I know they are very competitive in my area since we have a huge military population. My dad is retired Navy so I am able to apply for a Presidential nomination.</p>
<p>Try taking the ACT or raise your SAT to at least 2000. Also, many Plebes were top 5% of their class, so keep taking challenging course and remember to study. Your EC’s are excellent, and you have ties to the Navy already, so you’re in good shape there.</p>
<p>I would not go so far as to say that attending Summer Seminar will actually help you get in, but it is a good sign that you probably have what it takes to be successful at USNA. About half the people who attend the Summer Seminar do eventually attend. So, your odds now look to be at least 50/50 which is far better than most.</p>
<p>Glad to hear that you understand the NROTC scholarship situation. VMI is an excellent first choice.</p>
<p>I agree that you should take the ACT and also re-take the SAT to try to raise that score. Academics are a huge part of the appointment process, and those test scores are a major factor. I say take both the ACT and SAT this summer (after the Seminar).</p>
<p>:| </p>
<p>Bamaballer95, Thank you for your input. I will definitely do that. I am taking my next SAT in early June, and I have just been trying to work on my Critical Reading score but I will also work on my math to get that hopefully to a 700 or higher. A 2000 is pretty difficult to achieve, but with the right amount of work, I think I can do it. I will also take the ACT if that will help. I heard that if you’re a math/science brain, the ACT is easier than the SAT. Yes I have been taking challenging courses but I will take your advice when signing up for classes next year. And you mentioned that most Plebes were top 5% of their high school. Does the Naval Academy take into account what high school you go to? Because I’m not trying to make an excuse of why I am not top 5% but my high school happens to be one of the most competitive schools in the state. Thanks again for all your help and input everyone.</p>
<p>Their are many differences between the ACT and SAT. Some people do better on one than the other, often for no apparent reason. So, everybody should take both tests. Submit the one which makes you look better (if you have a choice).</p>
<p>Yes, the Naval Academy takes into account the school you attend. They know which schools are competitive and which ones are not. Besides, one of the main reasons for the ACT and SAT is to equally measure everybody’s ability. Not that those tests are perfect at that, but USNA definitely takes both GPA and ACT/SAT scores into account.</p>
<p>If I take the ACT, is there a specific score I should be shooting for like the SAT? Thanks again for your response NROTCgrad</p>
<p>About 25% of midshipmen at USNA scored 32 or higher on the ACT. Personally, I recommend trying to score at least that high. For math on the ACT, you might want to target a 34 because the Navy does prefer that you study engineering, and USNA midshipmen tend to be better at math than language. Remember, with the ACT, scores are not added but are averaged. In other words, if you score a 34 in math and 30 in English then your overall score is 32 (not 64). Also, I hear that the ACT is more demanding with its time limits than is the SAT. I know a very smart student who scored far lower than he expected because, he believes, of running out of time. So, maybe when practicing, you might want to try to go fast. Practice really does help, by the way, with any of these tests. </p>
<p>Ok, I tend to be better at math so that’s a good benefit for me. That is interesting about the ACT how they take your average, I did not know that. Ok I will practice at a fast pace. Thanks so much for your help.</p>