collegeboard.com said:
Acceptance & Retention
* Percent applicants admitted: 13%
Admission requirements:
* Interview required
* Essay(s) required
* SAT Reasoning or ACT with writing Required
Very important admission factors:
* Character/Personal Qualities
* Class Rank
* Application Essay
* Extracurricular Activities
* Interview
* Recommendations
* Rigor of secondary school record
* Standardized Test Scores
Important admission factors:
* Geographical Residence
* Talent/Ability
* Level of Applicant's Interest
Considered:
* Alumni Relation
* Racial/Ethnic Status
* Volunteer Work
* Work Experience
* Academic GPA
* First generation college student
This is the College Boards list of factors for Annapolis. As you can see, the 13% acceptance rate is better than some Ivies. High Aims. Here are my recommendations.
1. SAT- now I know that SAT scores are not the most important factor, but having high SAT scores is a lot better than low SATs. Fortunately, they shouldn't be a big concern for you. I got a 1570 and I'm mildly dyslexic. What I recommend is trying to find some sort of SAT program to attend over the summer. If I recall, Cornell has a program. Its expensive, but they should offer financial aid if nessicary and going to a Cornell program will look great on your application. Also see if your school or a local program offers SAT prep. If not, you can do what I did and buy 1-2 of those SAT prep books. I'd suggest Princeton Review and/or Barrons. Princeton Review has a lot of good tips and the like, Barrons is very rigerous. As well, the College Board offers a book entitled "5 Real SATs" or something. It contains actual SATs to practice and grade so you can see where you need improvement. I'd start practicing this summer and take the test in January. As well take the PSAT in November or whenever it is. Study for it like you would the SAT. If youget above a 210-220, then you'll probably be eligible for National Merit Scholarship. Thats $2000+ and a big boast to your chances just for getting up early on a Saturday. The key is to prepare, preferably starting in July.
2. Character/Personal Qualities- DON'T EVER GET SUSPENDED, for that matter, NEVER GET IN TROUBLE, nothing will hurt you for the Naval Academy like a suspension. If you don't drink, don't. If you do, hid it very, very, very well. Besides that, be as good a person as you can. Hold the doors for teachers, be respectful, all that kind of stuff. You'll have an easier time and you'll get a better letter of recommendation from the person you ask come senior year. It'd be really great if you could win some sort of school or community character award to show Annapolis how great you are.
3. Grades- According to the College Board, 65% of Annapolis students had a 3.75 GPA or greater, only 16% where in your bracket. Now, if you have done something to make up for that great, but the easier option is to pull those grades up. You have to get all those grades up to A. Try to pull at least a B in Chem. I personally hated Chemistry, but if you put in the hours studying, then you can probably do it. Another thing, taking AP, IB, honors or "harder" classes in general is imporant. Getting an A in AP US History says a lot more then an A in regular US History. Don't go all out though, only take as many APs as you can. Ultimately, for Annapolis, I feel pulling all As in non-APs is better than low Bs and Cs in APs (Still, if you can do it, take the AP). Your going to have to study a lot. Remember don't just do the required, "graded" homework (Which you will ALWAYS be doing) also do the extra stuff and make sure you know the material for the test.
ECs- except for the essays and grades, this is probably the most important part of your application. You need to find something you really like and get really involved in it. Preferably, this thing will be 3-5 things in which you can obtain leadership positions and piossibly national recognition. Here are a few examples
Sports- if you want to apply to Annapolis, your probably already doing this. If not you better join a team next year to prepare for the physical test. Remember a varsity letter looks a lot better than JV2 soccor. Aim for the top. Practice everyday, on weekends, and especially during summers. Thats when you get ahead of the people who don't prepare. Do 2-3 sports per year as well. For the Academy, I'd did crew, wrestling, and cross country.
Community Service- Very good for showing good personal qualities. Find an organization you like, work with them on something significant, not just shuffling papers. Aim for a couple hundred hours by senior fall. I believe I had around 800 hours by then and knew people with over 1200 but 150-200 is adequate.
Politics- does your school have a Young Republican club? Yes? Good join and participate as much as possible. I figure that since you post here, your interested in politics so this would be good. If your school doesn't hasve a YRC, found it and make it big. A really good time to do stuff would be next election fall (2006).
I'll finish later