ASTB Advice

[ProudNavyLady]

Hello there, everyone! I was hoping to get some words of wisdom. I am only applying for SWO and took the OAR yesterday with a low score of 45. I am planning to retake next month and improve to something much higher--I believe my downfall was not studying as thoroughly as possible the first time around. Here are some of my stats:

GPA: 3.831 with a double major in Vocal Performance/Choral Education
OAR: 45 (as stated above)
Leadership Experience: I have been working at a church as a choral director for two different choirs and was the assistant conductor at my current university.
LOR: I am submitting three letters--two professors and my church music director (my boss, basically).

Do you have any advice for me besides upping my OAR score? Maybe ways to improve weak score or ways to make my package more attractive? Anything will help. Please tell me if you need more information to assist me!

Thank you, everyone!

 

[ea6bflyr]

Take a look at the ASTB subsection of AirWarriors.com. Read, read, read. There are lots of others that were in the same boat but eventually succeeded because of the advice of others. Study like this was your last chance, then study some more. Good luck.

-ea6bflyr

 

[Quilly]

Hello there, everyone! I was hoping to get some words of wisdom. I am only applying for SWO and took the OAR yesterday with a low score of 45. I am planning to retake next month and improve to something much higher--I believe my downfall was not studying as thoroughly as possible the first time around. Here are some of my stats:

GPA: 3.831 with a double major in Vocal Performance/Choral Education
OAR: 45 (as stated above)
Leadership Experience: I have been working at a church as a choral director for two different choirs and was the assistant conductor at my current university.
LOR: I am submitting three letters--two professors and my church music director (my boss, basically).

Do you have any advice for me besides upping my OAR score? Maybe ways to improve weak score or ways to make my package more attractive? Anything will help. Please tell me if you need more information to assist me!

Thank you, everyone!

I am in the same boat as you, but i scored an 38 on the OAR and needed help on finding a better study guide for the test. The two books I studied from was completely different from the test and I believe thats what threw me off with the test. i suppose to retake the test this month and I am ineed a better study source.

 

[Renegade One]

Hello there, everyone! ...

I am in the same boat as you...

I'm not really sure, but doubt that ATSB = OAR. Related, but the first is for aviation aspirants; the latter for ALL officer aspirants (applies to aviators as well, obviously). If the rules have changed and you need to take both, I apologize.

hollson: I'm just making a guess that your college focus/double majors and your leadership experiences "most accurately" reflect your passions/life goals.

Not to be "Captain Bringdown", but are you really SURE that the military, in any form, is really right for you? You've probably already had this discussion with your parents/mentors/friends. If military service still "sings to you" (no pun intended), I have no better advice for you than what you yourself articulated: "... upping [your] OAR score".

In any event, good luck.

 

[alaurin]

Hello there, everyone! I was hoping to get some words of wisdom. I am only applying for SWO and took the OAR yesterday with a low score of 45. I am planning to retake next month and improve to something much higher--I believe my downfall was not studying as thoroughly as possible the first time around. Here are some of my stats:

GPA: 3.831 with a double major in Vocal Performance/Choral Education
OAR: 45 (as stated above)
Leadership Experience: I have been working at a church as a choral director for two different choirs and was the assistant conductor at my current university.
LOR: I am submitting three letters--two professors and my church music director (my boss, basically).

Do you have any advice for me besides upping my OAR score? Maybe ways to improve weak score or ways to make my package more attractive? Anything will help. Please tell me if you need more information to assist me!

Thank you, everyone!

If you can spare the time, you might consider taking a basic physics course and an algebra course at your community college or local adult school. Those two things are pretty necessary for the mechanical and math sections.

 

[BackOrdered]

Not to be "Captain Bringdown", but are you really SURE that the military, in any form, is really right for you? You've probably already had this discussion with your parents/mentors/friends. If military service still "sings to you" (no pun intended), I have no better advice for you than what you yourself articulated: "... upping [your] OAR score".

A motivational statement that paints the proper narrative in the board's head, knowledge of what being a SWO entails and how her skill set can bring value to their community would help remove such doubt.

 

[Renegade One]

A motivational statement that paints the proper narrative in the board's head, knowledge of what being a SWO entails and how her skill set can bring value to their community would help remove such doubt.

Indispensable advice…thanks, tiz...

 

[Eric Becker]

I would like to know if there is any way to schedule an ASTB test before I go to TBS? I have already commissioned and am slated for October 2013.

 

[ea6bflyr]

I would like to know if there is any way to schedule an ASTB test before I go to TBS? I have already commissioned and am slated for October 2013.

Certainly. I'm sure as a commissioned officer, you'll be able to figure it out.

 

[ProudNavyLady]

Thank you for the feedback!

Here is my update:
I retook the OAR and improved my score by four points (49).

Yes, I am sure that I really want to go forth with being an officer in the navy. Though I have really done a lot of music in college and my work life, that is really not what I want to continue doing and I know I have a passion for what the military life will provide (leadership experience, traveling, discipline, and structure). My family and friends have certainly been surprised by my new course, but I certainly hope it works out! I am applying for the SWO board this month.

I really do hope my motivational statement provides what the navy needs to see from me. I believe it does, but I am guessing we will find out soon enough. If it doesn't work out this time around, I will reapply after taking my OAR for the last time.

I will keep you all posted! If you have any questions or advice, feel free to post.