ROTC commitment strengthened application
선배 수험생의 대입 경험
We asked students who have gone through the college application process about their college application experiences. Below are the common questions.
1. When and how did you start preparing for college applications?
2. How did you build your college list? What factors did you consider?
3. What was the most challenging part of completing your application, and how did you overcome it?
4. How did you approach requesting letters of recommendation?
5. How did you choose your essay topic, and what advice would you give for writing a strong personal statement?
6. What extracurricular or academic experiences made a significant difference?
7. How did you manage your time between academics and extracurricular activities?
8. If you could go back, is there anything you would do differently?
9. Besides grades, what is most important in making the most out of high school?
10. In what ways have you grown the most throughout high school?
11. How did you stay motivated during times of doubt or low confidence?
12. What is one piece of advice you would give to underclassmen?
정리 = 김소영 게이트웨이 아카데미 원장
ROTC commitment strengthened application
1. I began preparing for college applications in 9th grade, specifically with the goal of attending West Point. From early on, I got involved in service and leadership activities like the American Red Cross Club, the football team, and JROTC. These experiences helped me build discipline, leadership skills, and a clear direction for my future.
2. I started building my college list in 9th grade by focusing on service academies like the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy, with West Point as my top choice. Later in my senior year, I added civilian colleges with strong ROTC programs. I considered factors like ROTC strength, scholarship opportunities, academic programs, alumni network, internship opportunities, career placement after military service, graduate school placement, campus life, and overall support for my long-term goals.
3. The most challenging part was balancing athletics, academics, and the number of interviews I had to go through for club leadership positions, service academies, congressional nominations, and ROTC scholarships. It became overwhelming at times. I overcame this by staying disciplined with my schedule, prioritizing what mattered most each week, and preparing in advance for interviews so I wasn't rushing at the last minute.
4. I believe requesting letters of recommendation starts as early as junior year by building genuine relationships with your teachers. It's not just about doing well in class but also talking to them about your goals and future plans. If you consistently show interest and effort, teachers are more willing to write you strong letters.
5. I chose my personal statement based on an experience that genuinely shaped who I am, even if it didn't seem that significant at first. My advice is that the topic should be simple, but unique. I would still avoid overly common topics like generic immigration stories or just writing about your parents unless you can present a very unique perspective. Also, choose a small number of people you trust to review your essays, and don't try to satisfy too many opinions or you'll lose your own voice.
6. I think one of the biggest factors was my commitment to ROTC. Even though I was involved in academics like research related to my intended major, my consistent interest in military leadership stood out. Earning a 4-year ROTC scholarship after multiple interviews was a major part of my application, and it likely strengthened my chances at civilian schools (besides Service Academies) with strong ROTC programs like Cornell, UC Berkeley.
7. I managed my time by planning ahead and staying consistent. I tried not to procrastinate, especially because my schedule was packed with sports, leadership roles, and academics. I also learned how to prioritize, understanding that not everything can be done perfectly, but the most important things should always be done well.
8. I would have done fewer extracurriculars and focused more deeply on around 8-10 activities that I truly cared about. Time in high school is limited, and I think going deeper rather than broader would have been more meaningful.
9. Besides grades, taking initiative is the most important. You shouldn't just follow what others tell you to do. You should actively seek out opportunities, create your own path, and take ownership of your goals.
10. I've grown the most through the college application process itself. It allowed me to take on leadership roles, build connections with adults across different organizations, create meaningful projects, and develop professionalism through interviews.
11. This might sound a bit unusual, but I tend to get more motivated when things get worse. I see difficult situations as rare opportunities to improve myself, so instead of backing down, I try to push harder and grow from it.
12. Don't rely too much on what others tell you, even parents or older students. Advice can help, but you need to take ownership of your own path. Be active, not passive. At the end of the day, you should understand your own goals better than anyone else.
David Lee / Crescenta Valley High School·US Military Academy West Point