OCS/SNA Application

[scall04c]

I am applying to be a SNA. I recently graduated from Embry-Riddle ('10). I am trying to get a feel on how competitive my application is.

ASTB: 6/7/6 52
Major: BS in Aeronautical Science w/ a minor in Business Administration
GPA: 2.5
Flight Ratings: Multi-Engine Commercial Instrument w/ 210 flight hours
Extra Curricular Activity: Member of- a Fraternity(were I ran an event and raised over $3,000 for the Children's Miracle Network, I was in charge of >300 people), multiple sports, multiple clubs
Leadership: Captained Varsity soccer team my senior year in HS, Captained my JV soccer team Sophomore year in HS, multiple positions held with Fraternity and most of the clubs
Awards: Coaches Award (exemplified leadership ability in HS Soccer), Lions scholar for High School Leadership
Attended Upset Training and Recovery program at NASTAR in Philadelphia
LORs- 1 O-8, 1 O-6, 1 O-3, 2 O-2, 1 retired Army Pilot and 1 current Army Pilot (both neighbors unsure of ranking)

I am applying for the OCS Board in Nov. '10

 

[Stalin]

Well you're gonna probably get posts stating that no one knows, but my advice is to look in the September boards thread and see who got accepted there. You're extra curricular looks pretty good, as do your LORs, but don't you need an ex-employer and professor LOR? I was told you do. Your ASTB looks acceptable, but I am not too sure what makes a competitive score. Your major is good, but your GPA is what can really hurt you. Luckily, they look at the overall person, and your flight rating will definitely help.

All that being said, no one here can really tell you how well you'll do. For example, I thought my BDCP app was good to go, and I definitely was gonna get accepted... then BDCP shut down. If they all of the sudden need a lot more pilots, you'll see 4/4/4/45s get picked up perhaps, but if they cut the quota all of the sudden... well you get the drift. Good luck buddy, I hope you get picked up.

 

[fjd24]

Worst case scenario, re-take the ASTB and resubmit. Folks generally tend to do better on the second attempt. Plus you want the best ASTB score possible to offset the GPA. With your education, flight experience and the resources on this forum, no reason why you can't pull 8's and 9's. Just my opinion.

Good Luck!

 

[GoVols1998]

scall04c, hopefully I will be in the October SNA board. Good luck to you and welcome to AW. This website and usnavyocs.com are fantastic resources for any and all of your questions, preparations, etc.

University of TN, graduate May 2011 (will be 23)
Major in Biochemistry, minor in business administration
GPA 3.33
ASTB 8/7/7 65
no flight experience
Activities chairman and also philanthropy committee for fraternity
a couple volunteer organizations
4 LOR, couple of retired officers, employer, family friend
a bunch of high school sports, honor societies, etc.

bad: underage DUI when I was 18, smoked marijuana 3x in HS

 

[JMonte85]

Worst case scenario, re-take the ASTB and resubmit. Folks generally tend to do better on the second attempt. Plus you want the best ASTB score possible to offset the GPA. With your education, flight experience and the resources on this forum, no reason why you can't pull 8's and 9's. Just my opinion.
Good Luck!

People usually only do better if they didn't study that much the first time around.. Depends on how much effort you put in.. or how much time you have to put in.. I think a lot of it has to do with the math.. I felt i knew most of those physics and aero/nautical questions.. I know the math was the only section I goofed on a little and the only section I ran out of time on.. I'm a computer science major and had gotten an A in calc 2.. It's just one of those things man.. If it's been a long time since you've done that kind of math you will prob struggle even if you do do a lot of studying.. I ended up getting a 7/7/6 58 .. I felt I should of had at least 8's but oh well.

 

[fjd24]

People usually only do better if they didn't study that much the first time around.. Depends on how much effort you put in.. or how much time you have to put in.. I think a lot of it has to do with the math.. I felt i knew most of those physics and aero/nautical questions.. I know the math was the only section I goofed on a little and the only section I ran out of time on.. I'm a computer science major and had gotten an A in calc 2.. It's just one of those things man.. If it's been a long time since you've done that kind of math you will prob struggle even if you do do a lot of studying.. I ended up getting a 7/7/6 58 .. I felt I should of had at least 8's but oh well.

Bottom line, this test is NOT that hard. And getting an A in calc 2 does not mean a whole lot for this math section. There are no high level concepts. It's basic algebra, geometry and some entry level calc. I think that is why a lot of people have said that the actual test is easier compared to the review tests and gouge out there. I had a very similar score as you did and if need be, I would have taken it again in a heartbeat just because I feel I would have known what to expect and been somewhat more relaxed the second time around. That can go a long way! Look around on this site; almost every person who exercised their right to re-take it a second and even third time scored better.

 

[scall04c]

@ stalin- I have not been told that I need an LOR from and ex-employer or professor but I will check on that to make sure
@ fjd24- The only problem with retaking the test now is that my 30 days wont be up until after my application needs to be in. They don't have a board scheduled until May so i need to apply for Nov. board.
@ GoVols1998- Thanks and good luck man
@ Eaglei22- Math was probably my downfall on the ASTB, I think the reason I got my score was because of the spacial apperception and aeronautical knowledge. Im pretty sure I got almost perfect on both of those sections.

- Does any one know where to find information on the boards? Im looking for information like, how many applied, how many were accepted, how many flight slots are they looking to fill, etc...

 

[fjd24]

I was saying re-take if you do not get pro-rec this time around. Show the board that you are proactive and want to improve your package.

 

[Kalico]

While mine isn't finished yet, this is what I can put together at the moment. My GPA is the one thing I know that hurts. I had two pretty poor semesters. I started bringing my grades back up but graduated before I could improve it further.

University: Youngstown State University
Major: Political Science
GPA: 2.48
ASTB: 5/ 7/ 5/ 45
No flight experience.
Activities: Affiliate with the American Political Science Association. Volunteer activities with a local hospital.
3 prospective LORs. Two college professors and my previous supervisor.