need advice on rising HS JR S2: how best to get into top 50 schools

[hyeonjlee]

S2 is a rising HS junior. His GPA so far is like like UW 3.6, higher for Weighted). His weakness is math and math related sciences (like physics, etc). He is taking 3 AP and two honor classes Junior year. He will have all four years of foreign language. SAT.... don't know yet - probably SAT I 2000 will be good one for him (shooting for it). EC: not champion athlete, but participating in track activities. ECs at school: medium range - not a class president or anything like that some clubs and some officer level activities. The real passion is the military related stuff. He has been a member of Civil Air Patrol (sort of like Junior ROTC) from HS freshman year and is a kid who got promoted fastest. By the end of this year, he will have achieved something akin to Eagle Scout (Civil Air Patrol version: obtaining an officer position in that setting). He has also participated in air force summer encampments, Israeli Defence Force 4 week summer training last summer, Air Force sponsored mountain search and rescue program this summer, and is aiming to go through 3 month weekend winter search/rescue training this winter to be a certified youth instructor in this. He may participate in 1 month intensive Arabic language summer immersion course in the middle east next summer because he believes that as an Army officer, that language will be most desirable to master (what the country needs given the flash points of potential conflict in a foreseeable future)

His goal is to get an ARMY ROTC scholarship, and I believe he has an excellent chance for that given his demonstrated dedication to all things military plus family background: grandfather: retired general.

If he improves grades a bit more in the Junior year (won't move the needle tremendously for the cumulative GPA), get something like 1950-2000 SAT I, good SAT IIs, high AP scores, and keep up his military related ECs and get ROTC scholarship:::: Is he a good candidate for USNWR top 50ish schools? (because of his weakness in math, I don't believe he will get a stellar SAT, though he is strong in the critical reading and writing portion).

He is NOT legacy. NO demographical, socioeconomic hook what so ever. He would LOVE to go to Georgetown, but I think that is a real reach and it's mostly an wishful thinking. Perhaps George Washington??? Any input how best he can improve his odds beyond what I mentioned above? I know he is only a rising junior, but it's better to have a longer time frame to address the issues and affect the outcome. I was a complete ignoramus with S1 until the last minute, and I want to help S2 better.

[happymomof1]

If he is interested in ROTC, he doesn't necessarily need to be only thinking about "Top 50" institutions. Instead, he should find out which schools offer the ROTC program he wants. He also needs to put some thought to his potential major. If he's serious about Arabic, he may want to look for schools where he can spend some time developing skill in that language (and/or other related languages) - again, not necessarily "Top 50".

[mythmom]

The best way to increase chances of admittance to schools or programs is to have a cohesive sense of self that can be communicated on the applications. "The story of you" so to speak.

It should be truthful; I don't mean hype. I mean painting a picture that help the schools get a picture of who your son is and how he can contribute to the college community is he entering.

[hyeonjlee]

His goal is to serve in the Army about 6-8 years, then pursue a civilian career on the public sector. He is interested in foreign services type of career or politics. He is very interested in the DC area. The commander of Army ROTC battalion serving DC schools told me that various government agencies frequently ask his recommendation for good interns since they like ROTC cadets for their discipline and work ethics. That's why his current interest lies with the DC schools with good access to the government related internship opportunities. In terms of Arabic language, he wants to study it since it will be very helpful for his military career, but NOT as a dominant passion, so he won't choose school for that purpose: he can get intensive Arabic language training once he joins military to bring it really up there in terms of proficiency once he gets the basic on his own.

It's still early for him, so other potential interest is in the Boston area. Military or not, I want him get the best education and experience he can possibly get for his long term prospect that includes much more than just ROTC and initial officer level deployment right out of college.

[Upsilamba]

American is another DC area school that he might be interested in, but I don't know anything about it's ROTC program (or if it has one). When I was applying to schools, Georgetown was a reach for me, GW was a match, and American was a safety, if that gives you any idea of relative admissions difficulty.

[hyeonjlee]

yes, Georgetown - George Washington - American is the same order we have in mind. Given that Georgetown is really a reach (not likely to get in), we are hoping that he will get into George Washington. Between GWU and AU, we prefer GWU based on what we learned so far. He is likely to major IR.

[hyeonjlee]

yes, Georgetown - George Washington - American is the same order we have in mind. Given that Georgetown is really a reach (not likely to get in), we are hoping that he will get into George Washington. Between GWU and AU, we prefer GWU based on what we learned so far. He is likely to major in IR.

[osdad]

Check the AROTC web site for a list of majors that they prefer and make sure IR is near the top. I know NROTC is looking at engineering majors as their first choice - and then only some disciplines. With the economy the way it is and the cost of college continuing to rise every year they can be more selective.

[Pizzagirl]

hyeonjlee - I will be interested in your journey as I can potentially see Georgetown / GWU / American for S and we'd like to go visit all 3.