davidchu123

Growing up in an Asian dominate community in Southern California have instilled in me with ideas of doing making the most of my life. How do I stack up to the other students applying for the U.S. Military academy?

I am a currently a Junior in a High School with an API score over 800.

Freshman Year GPA 3.0

1. Computer Application 1/2 B/B+
2. English 1/2 A/A
3. Geometry 1/2 A-/B
4. Biology Honor 1/2 C+/C+
5. Mandarin 1/2 C+/A
6. Tennis Team 1/2 A/A

Main Extracurricular Activity

1. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - appointed Voting Delegate, elected Vice President of Public Relations, awarded the member of October, and placed 9th place in introduction to business at sections.

2. Tennis - awarded outstanding tennis player

3. Young Democrats of America - appointed Political Director

Sophomore Year G.P.A 3.33

0. Debate 1/2 A/A
1. Accounting 1/2 A/A-
2. Mandarin 3/4 B-/B-
3. English Honor 3/4 C+/C+
4. World History AP 1/2 C+/B-, 4 on the AP Exam
5. Algebra 2 1/2 A-/B
6. Tennis 3/4 A/A

E.C.

1. FBLA - appointed voting delegate and appointed Fundraiser Chairperson after losing the presidential election.

2. Debate - accumulated 139ish National Forensics League points.

3. Young Democrats of America - elected Parliamentarian.

4. Tennis - awarded outstanding tennis player again.

5. Volunteered at the local Historical Museum 20+ hours

Most likely Junior Year GPA 4.0

1. Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus 1/2 B/B
2. Mandarin 5/6 A/A
3. Economic/Entrepreneur 1/2 A+/A+
4. English Language AP 5/6 A/B
5. U.S. History AP 1/2 B/B
6. Physics A 1/2 A/B

E.C.

1. FBLA - achieve the Future, Business, and Leader award, hopefully place in Economics, Entrepreneur, and Business Plan at state, probably appoint again to be a voting delegate, hopefully elect to Co-President (not Vice President).

2. YDA - hopefully elected Vice President of Finance, support the local democratic leader

3. Volunteer at the local Historical Museum 30+ hours if the Government doesn't shut down the Museum.

Most Likely Senior Year class and GPA 4.25

1. Calculus AB AP 1/2 A/B, 98% guarantee 5 on the AP
2. Government AP 1/2 A/B
3. English AP 7/8 A/B
4. Business Law 1/2 A+/A+
5. Fine Art 1/2 A/A
6. Mandarin 7/8 A/A

E.C.

1. FBLA - achieve the America award, hopefully place in Business Law, Entrepreneur, and Economics, probably appointed voting delegate,

2. YDA - Support the local democratic leader,

3. Volunteer at the local Historical Museum 30+ hours

Even though this participation doesn't fall under any category. I am planning to attend the Academy of Business Leaders at Cal State Fullerton. If I place in the top 5-15% of my class (Which I will), I will also be in the Building outstanding leaders today program throughout my Senior year.

By the way, If my Principal is true, everyone graduating in my class will have a note saying that it is possible that I cheated on my AP English final but didn't got caught. 50+ students got caught and suspended. I believe I have obvious evidence that I did not cheat because I shame-ly got a 52% on the English final after studying 20 hours nonstop the day before the final whereas everyone who cheated got a 95%+ on their final. Nothing to be proud of but I think It is enough evidence to offset the special note in every transcript in my graduating class. But if I were to take a harder grammar test, I know I will get a higher grade this time especially after 30+ hours of SAT preparation on grammar.

My probable SAT scores

Math: 800
Reading: 600-650
Writing: 550-600

SAT II

Physics: unknown
Math II: unknown

If asked about if I did any leading. I will say the biggest thing I have lead is what I call "total reformation of the political system in my local Chapter". Its a popular and a power house at the sections because of the previous handsome and pretty presidents. I shall reform the chapter's foundation to the extent of making it a possible power house at the state league conference.

I am Chinese and 6 feet tall with glasses. I am hoping to apply to every military academy except the coast guard academy because I don't know how to swim.

majmattmason

You might want to learn how to swim. Every Academy has swimming as part of its curriculum. Besides, it's fun!

I would not speculate as to what your grades might be. As of now, you seem to be going on the right track, so keep up the good work. And go take some swimming lessons. You did post this on the Naval Academy forum, after all!

USNA'02

You might want to consider more leadership opportunities - student senate, b/c club president, etc...

have you considered looking into each of the service academies summer seminar programs?

If you are looking into the Navy/Naval Academy you will certainly need to know how to swim. There are several swim tests you'll have to take, culminating w/ your "40 year" swim (a swim in full khakis, 1000-1800m swim in 40 min)

davidchu123

Edit#2 I just realized, I wrote regular Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus. I am in Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus Honor.

Edit#3 I wrote If my Principal is true. If what my Principal said was true was what I was trying to say.

Wow! I never knew!

There are several swim tests you'll have to take, culminating w/ your "40 year" swim (a swim in full khakis, 1000-1800m swim in 40 min)

I probably don't know what I am talking about, but I don't think I can afford quality swim lessons. I was fortunate to have been able to borrow a fortune to take SAT prep class. Although I think I am a dedicated and innovative leader, I don't have the looks to win popular contests which is why I am planning to run with a popular friend for the co-president position in my local chapter. I am going to do all the work behind the screens and all the leading in public. It may sound unfair that my partner wouldn't have to do anything but its the norm in my high school.

"You might want to consider more leadership opportunities - student senate, b/c club president, etc..."

I don't think it is realistic for me to take any more leadership position without undergoing plastic surgery for my high school. There is an odd political order in my school. Roughly 80% of all clubs board members are female at my school. The Student government board members are near 100% females dominated. 70% of all the teachers at my schools are female; the principal and 75% of the assistant principals are female. The reason I was elected these few leadership position was probably because of the undeniable devotion and physical height or my "great rhetorical speaking skills I learned from student congress debate". I really do input near 100% of my energy into the 3 main extracurricular activities I do. Whether the military academy believes I have the leadership skills or not to become a student. I would rather exceed the expectation of a President and strengthen the foundation of three great chapter in my school than to perform the minimal satisfactory work of a President.

It is surely possible for me to become President of 6-9 new clubs at my school, but something deep down inside is telling me that it is wrong to become President of 9 dormant and prestigious clubs in my school to get into a college. It would feel like telling taking credit for what I don't deserve. I don't think I can do it; the quilt I would have to put up with throughout my life would be too unbearable for me to carry.

One selfish reason I am willing to serve and probably die for my country is the cost of attending of a military academy aside from its vigorous curriculum though.

rangelady

davidchu123:

Two comments: First, leadership is about more than elected positions. I think it is the norm in many high schools that the most popular students hold many offices, whether they do the actual leading or not. I am a firm believer that leadership opportunities can be attained without election results. Chair a committee and, (drumroll here....)actually DO something. Then you can write about that in your applications, etc.

Second: Your comment about willingness to serve and "probably die" struck me..........although we are hearing these days of the 4000+ men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror, the odds are in your favor. Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands have been deployed.

Memorial Hall at USNA has a listing of all the graduates who have died in the various wars. There's 55,000 names on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC. Maybe 120 listed at USNA.

Don't speculate about your SAT scores and grades. Just put your mind, heart and soul into getting the best scores possible. Take and retake those standardized tests.

The only answer to "How do I stack up?" is IT DEPENDS. On who the competition is this year and from your area. Your chances are relative to the entire applicant pool. You can only control your application package, so do all you can to have the best CFA possible, test scores high as possible, grades and leadership in place.

USNA'02

You don't need to buy a swim coach - many mids show up and don't know how to swim (they are commonly referred to as aqua-rocks). The "40 yr swim" is during your 2/c year (i.e. your junior yr) so you'll have plenty of time in the pool by then.

You had just made the comment that you didn't know how to swim and I wanted to make sure you knew what swimming requirements were @ USNA. I would recommend that you learn how do basic strokes like crawl, backstroke, and sidestroke. You'll receive plenty of instruction on how to swim during plebe summer and during academic year. Be able to swim at least 100yard/100meters w/o stopping (you can push off the wall) this should give you a good baseline at least to build from.

As RangeLady stated you don't have to be elected to leadership positions. You can chair an event or something. I just noticed that in your EC list there were not a lot of "leadership" type things listed. Think outside the box, you can be a leader of something outside of school. Head up a clean-up project for your community. Are you involved in your church or other organizations outside of school? There are leadership opportunities there as well.

Also, just an FYI if you were to be interviewed and asked why you didn't get more seek more leadership opportunities I would refrain from "complaining" and "making excuses" b/c it sounds like that's what you are doing by saying that the reason you haven't been elected for anything is b/c the majority of your school is female.

davidchu123

Service Academy Appointments

Applicants must have 20/20 uncorrected vision in each eye (20/40 for Commission Only positions in the United States Air Force Academy).

I have 200/200 vision. I am ineligible to apply in the first place.

USNA'02

I think that is a typo - 20/20 corrected vision (several plebes have glasses)

Here are the general requirements from USNA site and it says nothing about 20/20 uncorrected USNA Admissions - Steps for Admission - Step 2) Eligibility Requirements

mombee

David, I would say that if USNA was a business school you would stack up great. However, it is an engineering school. You need to take all math and science courses at the highest level your school offers, AP, if available, honors, if not. Biology and Earth Sciences are a low priority. Take Chemistry and Physics. From the USNA Catalog:

davidchu123

I forgot I took summer school for two years.

Summer before Freshman Year

Health and Safety 1 B
Pathway to Career 2 A

Summer before Sophomore Year

Chemistry 1/2 B/B

Michael1234

My best friend and many of my teachers went to the academy. When comparing their statss to yours the only differences would be that many of them went to the summer seminar and were involved in many more athletic extracurriculars. My advice would be to play another sport that intereste you and to do the summer seminar. Good luck.

davidchu123

Michael and USNA'02,

After my first post on this forum, I went to gather and organize information about the Naval Academy. I stumbled upon this website after researching for quite a while. I hope the link I showed earlier made a typo like this site did too.

Basic Eligibility

The Naval Academy Summer Seminar Program is offered exclusively to young men and women who have just completed their junior year of high school. This is a competitive entry program because interest outweighs our hosting capacity. The following general selection criteria are considered:

* Unmarried, not pregnant and have no legal obligation to support a child, children or other individual(s);
* Superior high school performance to include: GPA, class standing, and/or strong PSAT, SAT, or ACT results;
* Demonstrated achievement in athletics and extracurricular activities, especially demonstrating leadership potential in these areas;
* Physically fit and in good health with normal vision (20/40 or correctable to 20/20);
* Positive attitude, self-disciplined, and of good moral character.

And according to

Five Things You Should Do in High School to Get into a Military Academy, Page 3 of 3 - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

It is critical that serious applicants attend this summer seminar to have a significant chance to get into the navy.

And Ward Connerly on Asian Discrimination at UC in combination with Naval Academy Professor Challenges School's Push for Diversity - washingtonpost.com protest against Asian attendance. I fear my Chinese heritage and educational culture have crippled me as an applicant. And my parents inability to afford a plane ticket from Southern California to Maryland.

Is it literally impossible for me to get into the Naval Academy now?

I am curious about the medical examination. I am six feet and weighs 140 pounds. According to http://www.disabled-world.com/img/he...ight-chart.gif I have anorexia even though I just have a very high metabolism as a result from playing tennis or genetics. I eat on average 2500+ calories but I can't seem to gain the weight I need to be average. My personal doctor deemed me healthy play tennis but would I be disqualify if I don't weigh the average weight for the Naval Academy? If so, what can I to slow down my metabolism rate or gain weight while staying fit?

P.S.

By the way, my 17th birthday is during August. Does this mean I will have to wait another year?

USNA'02

I'm not sure what you mean by "I hope the link I showed earlier made a typo like this site did too." What link are you referring to? If you think USNA made a typo they didn't, 20/20 corrected means that w/ glasses or contacts your vision is corrected to 20/20 it doesn't mean you have to have had eye surgery to correct your vision to 20/20.

davidchu123

USNA'02,

I understand now. I misread the requirement like how I often misread casual and causal on the SAT.

davidchu123

I heard a Members of Congress, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides, Both U.S. Senators from his or her state, and Apply directly to the Vice-President of the United States. I was wondering how many people official appoint? I heard the U.S. House of Representative can only appoint one student to the academy. The senator may have up to 5 students appointed to the academy.

I was wondering can someone clarify this?