Getting into USNA

matthewblock7 · 03-18-2009, 04:43 PM

As I move through my sophomore year of High School, I find myself considering going to a service academy. I have found myself more and more attracted to attending a service academy due to the quality and cost of the education there, and how in-line my interests are with the strengths of the academies. A few question remain in my mind, mostly about getting in.

Firstly, to give perspective regarding admissions, the predicted SAT scores based on my sophomore PSATs would put me in the top 25% of the accepted Annapolis class. Additionally, I am taking the most challenging curriculum at a private school in Greater Philadelphia which traditionally sends students to top schools. Starting junior year, I will also be taking classes at the University of Pennsylvania.

So, to get back on track, my questions!

1) I have done a very limited amount of sports at my school--almost none, really. Despite this, I have a light workout plan and have tried to keep in shape, and starting tomorrow (the first day of my spring break) am going to be making my workout exponentially tougher in order to perform better on the physical fitness test. Will the fact that I have not done sports significantly hurt my application? How important is the physical fitness test exactly? Will the fact that I have an amazing record of leadership positions and hard work make up for any of this?

2) I go to a Quaker school. Yes--Quaker. Despite this, I am not a pacifist and have an interest in the service academies. Will this hurt my chances at admission?

Here are my grades and EC's:

Freshman Year:
World History 1 - A
Freshman Science - B
Spanish 1 - A
Geometry Adv. - B+
Literature 1 - A-

Summer:
Chemistry 1 - A-

Sophomore Year (predicted):
Word History 2 - A
Philosophy (senior-level course) - A+
Spanish 2 Adv. - A-
Alg. 2/PreCalc Adv. - A
Literature 2 - A

As a note,my school has little grade inflation and A's are (according to a college counselor I talked to) uncommon.

EC:s
Congressional Intern - 9th, 10th (very significant experience, over the summer worked almost 12 hours per day, 7 days a week)
Congressional Student Outreach Group (Founder and Chair) - 9th, 10th (similarly significant)
School Newspaper - 9th, 10th, appointed to Managing Editor for Junior year
CHOICE Youth Advisory Committee (community sexual education in Philadelphia) - 10th
Model UN - 10th (won Outstanding Delegate award in crisis committee)
Chorus - 9th, 10th
Musical Theatre - 9th, 10th
Theatre - 9th, 10th

Thanks!

Lizandro · 03-18-2009, 08:07 PM

The sports thing should not hurt your application much. I had no sports since freshman year (I did a stint in Karate), and worked out a bit in JROTC this year,but other than that I didnt have anything. That was one of my main insecurities, but it turned out alright =) If you can pass the CFA and if you show yourself qualified in other fields you can still be accepted. However since you are still a sophomore you should definitely get involved in sports, I didnt know I wanted to attend The Academy until the end of my junior year.

matthewblock7 · 03-18-2009, 08:45 PM

I am trying to do that now--however, I can only play a sport one out of the three seasons during which my school offers them because of the volume and dedication I have in my other activities, most importantly my work for my Congressman and Model UN. Last year, I played Intramural Tennis during the Spring, and this year I started out in Intramural Tennis but am trying to switch into Track. I find out if they'll let me soon--though either way I will be doing Track my Junior and Senior years.

Additionally, regarding getting in shape...one of my friends, who is an amazing runner and whose relay team placed at Nationals, and another who is a wrestler, made up a workout for me to get in shape and do well on the fitness exam.

matthewblock7 · 03-20-2009, 01:59 PM

Bump...bump...bump.

pachrian · 03-20-2009, 03:30 PM

Pick one sport and become good at it. That includes training for that sport away from school.

2012mom? · 03-20-2009, 07:29 PM

As I understand it, the SAs look for sports involvement for several reasons. One is to see if you are in good physical condition. A second reason is to see if you are a "team player," and I suspect related to this is whether you are chosen as a team captain or have some other leadership role. A third reason that sports can be important (other ECAs as well) is to make sure that you can still make good grades and balance participation in multiple activities.

Based on what you've shown above, you are doing well in school while participating in and having leadership roles in several organizations. If you don't participate in a sport at school, it will be very important for you to do very well on the CFA. If you can participate in a sport, that's all to the good, so long as it doesn't pull down your grades or require you to give up one of your current leadership positions. A BGO may correct me on this, but I THINK that being Managing Editor of your school newspaper would be seen as equivalent to being a team captain. So, work out with the goal of maxing the CFA, join a team if you can, and work hard/have fun through the rest of your HS career!

matthewblock7 · 03-21-2009, 01:08 PM

Just one more question--my school has a rigorous math program, and by the end of senior year I will be done what my school terms Calculus 2 Adv. (equivalent to Calculus BC, though my school got rid of AP courses). Will this allow me to jump ahead in math at USNA?

Profmom2 · 03-21-2009, 01:41 PM

You will be able to take validation tests the beginning of Plebe summer. Test are given for Chem, Calc, Physics, Languages, Econ and English. AP scores can be used for languages, Calc, English, History and a few other courses.

USNA Course Validation Policy

Whistle Pig · 03-21-2009, 04:30 PM

Just one variable thought ...the pre-math test is given "on line" I believe, well in advance of I Day, as I recall. Yes? No?

matthewblock7 · 03-21-2009, 06:41 PM

That would actually be even better, considering how strenuous plebe summer is suppose to be!

2012mom? · 03-21-2009, 06:47 PM

Yes, once candidates receive their "Permit to Report" packages, they will be able to log in to take an initial, on-line math assessment test. If they score well on the initial assessment, they will be invited to take a second on-line test that determines which level of calculus they should take. All of the math/calculus testing occurs prior to I-day. It's up to each candidate to set aside time to take the math assessments on their own. DON'T wait 'til the last minute!

Depending on your validation test results, you could be moved into a more advanced calculus class. If you start out in calc I or II, you will be in a Plebe-only class. I don't know if there are Plebe-only sections for direct placement in calc III or later, but when you're in class, you are simply a Midshipman, so it shouldn't matter. USNA will place you in the math class that's bestfor you.

Last year, chemistry placement exams were given the day after I-day, or perhaps the second day. Validation exams for other courses are given on other days during Plebe Summer.

Profmom2 · 03-21-2009, 07:35 PM

There are Plebe only sections for CalcIII and Differential It is not so much for the benefit of the Plebes but more so for the youngsters.

At PPW there are displays and tables set up from all of the departments and you will be able to visit with faculty etc.

Also, if a student validates a lot of classes they will get a special advisor rather that the one assigned for their company. Once Mids pick their majors in March, then they get a department advisor.

couyang2 · 03-22-2009, 06:20 PM

I'm a junior and i'm up one year in math at my public school, so I'm taking Calc BC right now. Anyways, I'm considering whether or not to enroll in Calc 3 at the local community college and maybe even Differential Equations. Does anyone know USNA's validation policies for courses like that, taken at a community college? I might not take those courses if i can't get validation.

USNA2012Mom · 03-23-2009, 05:55 PM

USNA Course Validation Policy

2012mom? · 03-23-2009, 07:03 PM

couyang, I can't see any advantage for you to NOT take the additional math courses at your junior college if you're already taking AP calc BC. If you don't take math your senior year, you would (assuming you received an appointment) go into Plebe year having a year gap between math classes. If you can afford to take the classes, you will either validate out of the equivalents at USNA, or you won't. If you don't validate them, you will still be better prepared to go straight into calc 3 or dif eq than if you hadn't taken them. If you can afford the classes, I can't see the downside.