<p>I go to a highly competitive academic and athletic high school. The problem is there are 5 fully qualified candidates that have applied and we are pretty much in the same boat. Do they only appoint certain amounts from each high school? This has been bugging me for a while so any help would be appreciated. They all have about 2 points higher than me on their gpa but i am higher than they are by about 50 points on the sats</p>
<p>There are no high school quotas for offers of admission. The most qualified candidates with nominations will be given appointments regardless of the high school attended.</p>
<p>so there can be 5 appointments from one high school because i have never seen it done.</p>
<p>One of the BGO's in my county had seven candidates appointed with the Class of 2010 from just three high schools under his purview. Do the math -- the result is more than one from each school.</p>
<p>also, the academy takes into account how succesful your high school is at graduating students to competative schools. This might actually be a plus for you.</p>
<p>bottom line would seem to include that those 4 schoolmates are most definitely your competitors but not because you all attend the same HS ... rather because you all live in the same state and Congressional district.</p>
<p>Having said that, if all five are exceptional (a la Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way) then the Academy very well might admit all five. Are all five of you applying to the same Academy? If not, that will increase the odds too.</p>
<p>50 points on the SAT or a couple points on the GPA doesn't matter, it's the one who comes out looking like good officer material that does.</p>
<p>how can they tell if somebody is good officer material and what activities increase that?</p>
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how can they tell if somebody is good officer material and what activities increase that?
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<p>demonstrated leadership comes immediately to mind....captain of this, president of that....along with favorable recommendation letters attesting to your leadership qualities....</p>
<p>just as you recognize a leader when you see one, trust me, so will they!</p>
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demonstrated leadership comes immediately to mind....
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<p>Navy2010 couldn't have said it any better. When you go to your MOC interview, nearly every question they ask you will probably be geared toward finding out what potential for leadership you possess. You want to point out, in a humble manner, the opportunities for leadership experience you have had, how you took advantage of said opportunities, and what you did in said position.</p>
<p>You also want to highlight character traits that may be useful as a leader, such as willingness to take responsibility, no matter for good or bad decisions. That one is a definite plus.</p>
<p>But don't make stuff up. Interviewers will be able to tell what's real and what's fake. They want to see a real person, and if you are truly meant to be a leader, they will see it.</p>
<p>And keep it to the point. Summarize first, and let them ask for details.</p>
<p>Same goes for just about any interview you will ever have anywhere. Find out what qualities they are looking for, then show them that you've got what it takes.</p>
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along with favorable recommendation letters attesting to your leadership qualities....
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<p>For my MOC interview, I had five letters of recommendation, since the application form said to have at least three. My suggestion is to get one from someone that has known you for a long time, someone who has known you for a year or two, and maybe, but it depends on the situation, someone who has known you for only a few months.</p>
<p>For example on that last one: I moved from homeschool to a local private school this year. Most of the teachers and staff have known me for only a few months. Both my college counselor and principal wrote me recommendations for leadership and character based on what they have observed in the time they have known me. That lets people see how quickly you can take the initiative, form friends, build a reputation, etc.</p>
<p>However, I wouldn't advise you to get a letter like this from the UPS man you've met twice.;)</p>
<p>That's my advice having been through one interview. Maybe someone else can give their take on it.</p>
<p>I agree that a diversity of recommendation letters is a great idea - the various perspectives help people see you more clearly - and that is an approach you should take in responding to questions as well - provide a variety of examples not just examples from one arena, like sports or a specific club.</p>
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<p>Be careful of this if they ask for only 3. Our MOCs state explicitly 3, and in person their reps said they throw out any more than that. And they choose what to throw out so your best one might go in the trash.</p>
<p>^^^^
We also were told that if you submit more letters of reference than asked for they will only review the number requested. Also, make sure that you follow who they want letters from; one of our MOC wanted one from the guidance counselor or principal and two others from either math or science teacher, coach, employer or church leader. Another of our MOC's required one letter to be from a source outside of our school. It is best to follow their directions and not assume more or whom ever is better.</p>
<p>The admissions and nomination process requires candidates to show that they can pay attention to details and follow instructions. If you fail to follow instructions, you have made it easy for the "powers that be" to weed you out of the pack. Successful candidates need to make themselves stand out from the crowd; however, you do not want to stand out in a negative way.</p>
<p>As an example, Senator Allen requires applications for nominations to be submitted in a specific format using his forms. Any applications that do not conform to the required format in every aspect are rejected. There is no partial credit awarded for making a good attempt. This is a binary function -- either you get it right or you don't.</p>
<p>This is similar to selection boards in the Navy. The Board Members are always looking for discriminators when deciding who to select for promotion. The sad fact is that they look for reasons to NOT select an individual. </p>
<p>You don't want to give anyone a reason to pass you over.</p>
<p>LOL!!! it reminds me of something that was told to the thorpedo when he was in the midst of his applicaiton process...</p>
<p>in answer to his question, "they want the essay limited to 500 words....do you think 600 is ok?"</p>
<p>the answer: "What makes you think the Navy is going to trust you with a billion dollar ship and its crew if you cant even follow a simple direction?"</p>
<p>he submitted his essay....500 words EXACT.</p>
<p>food for thought!</p>
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they want the essay limited to 500 words....
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<p>The essay! How could I have forgotten that?</p>
<p>My MOC requested 200 words or less; I think I submitted 197 or something close to it.</p>
<p>This is VERY important; you need to be completely honest here if it's an essay that has anything to do with you personally, because if they read something that sparks their interest in your essay, or in your list of extracurriculars (if they request that), and you don't know what they're talking about because you made something up, it probably won't go too well.</p>
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The admissions and nomination process requires candidates to show that they can pay attention to details and follow instructions.
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<p>I got lucky here; my MOC wanted a 3x5 photo, and because of a mix-up involving who my MOC was, I had to fill out my app for my real MOC just before the deadline and Fed-Ex it. I still had wallet-size photos from my first MOC application, and didn't realize until the last minute that there was a difference in photo requirements.</p>
<p>Since it was too late, I sent off the app and in the meantime worried until I heard I got the interview. Moral: READ ALL DIRECTIONS THOROUGHLY THE FIRST TIME!</p>
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READ ALL DIRECTIONS THOROUGHLY THE FIRST TIME!
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<p>and then again to make sure you are correct! ;)</p>
<p>(measure twice, cut once comes to mind!)</p>
<p>And one more thing on the essay:</p>
<p>Spend HOURS on it. Literally. I probably created ten drafts for one essay, then took it to school and ran it by my guidance counselor, English teacher, and dean for their advice. It's gonna be part of their first impression of you, even before you walk through the door. Make it good.</p>
<p>^^^^ you are wise beyond your years young grasshopper!!! Well done! :)</p>