That shit's HARD
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IS GPA Everything at the Board/Your Opinion?
- Thread starter GhostlySeas
- Start date
villo0692
Well-Known Member
holy shit, you're right......I'm done.....I've seen everything now
PEFO Silver-Shades
Well-Known Member
I knew someone who was 145k in debt for a Bachelors in Interior Design....
GhostlySeas
SWO Hopeful
Sad freaking update here- apparently the Navy also includes college courses taken during high school as well. Since I took two years of college courses it has brought my GPA down even lower to a 2.67 if I am calculating it the same way they will. Summarizing a little of what these following quotes say, I shot myself in the foot for trying to over-achieve. It sucks that the actions of my 15-17 year old self is being held against me at 22, but there is nothing I can do to change the past only fix the future. See below responses.
I am considering applying to the community college nearby next semester to take some strategic online classes to bump my GPA. I may wait though to do so after my first board, since the deadline for the application would be mid-semester and those grades wouldn't be relevant. If I get denied from the board in March, I'll 95% likely take more courses. Even a few more A's would help revive it.
Not harsh at all. I appreciate the perspective. The finishing in three years was a mix of a financial decision and ambition. I don't regret it, as I was able to always have money in the bank from savings up to my graduation mark and I have already made and saved enough to pay off my loans in full. I also don't regret the grit it developed in me. It was the coin toss and I will live with the consequences whichever it will be. I know my original post sounded a little bit arrogant but I was attempting to display my full picture. It's good to know my GPA will only count in the applications. I plan on getting a Masters in a technical field such as Cybersecurity (I wish to try to transfer to Intel after time served at sea as a SWO) but from previous research a lot of times colleges apply work experience as "GPA".
Also don't regret the volunteerism. Those guys taught me a lot about life (and the military).
I love that job quote, I'll remember that.
I am definitely still going to apply no matter what. I've lost 50lbs so far for this. I went from not being able to jog for more than 45 seconds to being able to do the 1.5 in 18 minutes (still below standards, but I'm getting there.) I will exhaust every opportunity from Civilian to Officer and may even decide to Enlist to get in that way. (Not ideal...)
Thank you for this insight, it's undoubtfully warranted and I reflected on it. I don't disagree with you completely, however I still reside in the camp that tests don't accurately reflect knowledge. Which, I know is impossible to display through GPA to the Navy as is my knowledge base. I can confidently say that I effectively learned the information in my classes. I have always struggled with tests, but put me in a hands on situation and I can excel.
So essentially, I 100% see your point and I think that's the big conundrum here. On paper I can look more like a risk to a Board of success, but I am confident I will do well once I actually get through the door.
I had a mixed hand. Handful of A's, mostly B's, and a few C's. I had a single D in Theories of Personality in my Psych degree which was single handedly the most difficult course I have ever taken in my life.
All of my management (theory) courses I got an A in including classes such as management styles and global management (essentially, this one was about managing different cultures). I got mostly A's in my hands on management classes and one B in my business planning course. Two A's in political classes and some psychology. A in my marketing classes. My last semester I got an A in my Strategic Management and an A in my Leading Organizational Change.
I was steady B in almost everything else. Accounting, Corporate Finance, Operations Management, Aggression/Anger/Violence, Psych of Men and Women, Communication courses, and a few other general psych classes and generals. Most of my classes were Bs besides the two above my last semester. COVID hitting mid semester screwed me over big time because professors stopped caring and group members screwed me over.
Not sure if that was too much info.
Love your username.
I agree with your post a lot, but I would have done it differently if I had the goal of being a Naval Officer in mind. I grew up in a stigmatized household where when my brother served he would tell my brother that he would go in and I should marry in. He's dead now, and I think my brother didn't mean anything by it, and would be proud, but between things like that and my own self confidence issues and fears I had to overcome I always shoved my dream down.
But something happened this July, I said screw it, I'm never going to forgive myself if I never try when I'm young and springy.
And well damn, good to know. At least this vagina has some benefits... LMAO.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In summary, there's nothing I can do to change my GPA right now. My current plan of action is to apply in March (because MEPS is ffin slow in processing so I'm missing the deadline for January). I am going to score as high as possible in my OAR (I know by reading other threads that this isn't a full on solution, but it may help), and make a KILLER motivational statement.
After this thread, I will look into aviation. I'll do some research (I did a light search and couldn't find anything) but does anyone know if the OAR taken separately from the ASTB counts as an OAR towards the ASTB?
EDIT: Called my recruiter and asked and I can take it in two sessions within a certain amount of time so I will be doing that. I will call the testing center in the morning to figure out the time distance and get it scheduled.
Because next week I have the OAR scheduled, and that's it. I don't know anything about the ASTB and I don't know if that's enough time to study. (I'll look into it ASAP). So if I take the OAR next week, does that count for one of my takes of the ASTB?
My gut says yes, which would mean I'd only get two shots at the ASTB versus three. I may just go ahead and postpone.
Lots of info to process, thank you guys!
Who knows, maybe I'll be the female Quagmire? Giggity.
I am considering applying to the community college nearby next semester to take some strategic online classes to bump my GPA. I may wait though to do so after my first board, since the deadline for the application would be mid-semester and those grades wouldn't be relevant. If I get denied from the board in March, I'll 95% likely take more courses. Even a few more A's would help revive it.
Not harsh at all. I appreciate the perspective. The finishing in three years was a mix of a financial decision and ambition. I don't regret it, as I was able to always have money in the bank from savings up to my graduation mark and I have already made and saved enough to pay off my loans in full. I also don't regret the grit it developed in me. It was the coin toss and I will live with the consequences whichever it will be. I know my original post sounded a little bit arrogant but I was attempting to display my full picture. It's good to know my GPA will only count in the applications. I plan on getting a Masters in a technical field such as Cybersecurity (I wish to try to transfer to Intel after time served at sea as a SWO) but from previous research a lot of times colleges apply work experience as "GPA".
Also don't regret the volunteerism. Those guys taught me a lot about life (and the military).
I love that job quote, I'll remember that.
I am definitely still going to apply no matter what. I've lost 50lbs so far for this. I went from not being able to jog for more than 45 seconds to being able to do the 1.5 in 18 minutes (still below standards, but I'm getting there.) I will exhaust every opportunity from Civilian to Officer and may even decide to Enlist to get in that way. (Not ideal...)
Thank you for this insight, it's undoubtfully warranted and I reflected on it. I don't disagree with you completely, however I still reside in the camp that tests don't accurately reflect knowledge. Which, I know is impossible to display through GPA to the Navy as is my knowledge base. I can confidently say that I effectively learned the information in my classes. I have always struggled with tests, but put me in a hands on situation and I can excel.
So essentially, I 100% see your point and I think that's the big conundrum here. On paper I can look more like a risk to a Board of success, but I am confident I will do well once I actually get through the door.
I had a mixed hand. Handful of A's, mostly B's, and a few C's. I had a single D in Theories of Personality in my Psych degree which was single handedly the most difficult course I have ever taken in my life.
All of my management (theory) courses I got an A in including classes such as management styles and global management (essentially, this one was about managing different cultures). I got mostly A's in my hands on management classes and one B in my business planning course. Two A's in political classes and some psychology. A in my marketing classes. My last semester I got an A in my Strategic Management and an A in my Leading Organizational Change.
I was steady B in almost everything else. Accounting, Corporate Finance, Operations Management, Aggression/Anger/Violence, Psych of Men and Women, Communication courses, and a few other general psych classes and generals. Most of my classes were Bs besides the two above my last semester. COVID hitting mid semester screwed me over big time because professors stopped caring and group members screwed me over.
Not sure if that was too much info.
Love your username.
I agree with your post a lot, but I would have done it differently if I had the goal of being a Naval Officer in mind. I grew up in a stigmatized household where when my brother served he would tell my brother that he would go in and I should marry in. He's dead now, and I think my brother didn't mean anything by it, and would be proud, but between things like that and my own self confidence issues and fears I had to overcome I always shoved my dream down.
But something happened this July, I said screw it, I'm never going to forgive myself if I never try when I'm young and springy.
And well damn, good to know. At least this vagina has some benefits... LMAO.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In summary, there's nothing I can do to change my GPA right now. My current plan of action is to apply in March (because MEPS is ffin slow in processing so I'm missing the deadline for January). I am going to score as high as possible in my OAR (I know by reading other threads that this isn't a full on solution, but it may help), and make a KILLER motivational statement.
After this thread, I will look into aviation. I'll do some research (I did a light search and couldn't find anything) but does anyone know if the OAR taken separately from the ASTB counts as an OAR towards the ASTB?
EDIT: Called my recruiter and asked and I can take it in two sessions within a certain amount of time so I will be doing that. I will call the testing center in the morning to figure out the time distance and get it scheduled.
Because next week I have the OAR scheduled, and that's it. I don't know anything about the ASTB and I don't know if that's enough time to study. (I'll look into it ASAP). So if I take the OAR next week, does that count for one of my takes of the ASTB?
My gut says yes, which would mean I'd only get two shots at the ASTB versus three. I may just go ahead and postpone.
Lots of info to process, thank you guys!
Who knows, maybe I'll be the female Quagmire? Giggity.
Last edited:
GhostlySeas
SWO Hopeful
That's painful. How in the hell dude.
The OAR is included in the ASTB. If you take the OAR by itself, yes, you burn one attempt at the ASTB. Might be good to postpone and re-attack the full ASTB when you're ready.
I feel compelled to say this... I was 100% done with the military when I got out nearly two years ago. In all transparency and to my surprise, God called me back into the military one day on a Sunday after I had been out for 8 months, so the next Monday I thought I'd try talking my alma mater, the USAF. They told me flat out no in December 2019... Why? Because I graduated with a B.S. degree with a 2.0 GPA and they would not offer me a GPA waiver. Feels bad... The same old issue rearing it's ugly head. Even when I scored 97/99 on the AF test for pilots they weren't interested. I was in the top 2 percentile for all applicants and that one thing held me back. The same day after the USAF told me no, the USN recruiter called and introduced himself.
I know what it's like for some type of stigma to hold you back or tear you down mentally. I had people give me the dirtiest looks when I told them my GPA, and it probably changes people's opinion too. But you know what, that's not the whole story. My GPA doesn't define me. I've done a lot of things that say otherwise in the past 8 years, things that say I'm better than this metric, and the Navy says you know what... I'll take that guy, the one the USAF rejected. Luckily, the USN looks at cumulative GPA so my prior GPA before transferring colleges helped a lot. I went through a lot completing my B.S. but the "why" doesn't matter to a lot of people, they just see the number and scoff at it.
I would have done a lot of things differently as well but the process of how I got here, I wouldn't change. The USN is receiving a far better candidate than I could ever offer to the USAF, and I have no regrets. This long path included a lot of heartache and shut doors but it led me to where I am today of receiving a selection into the Navy as an aviator.
We had people selected on the October aviation board with a 2.3 and several selected with a 2.6.
If this is your dream like it was mine from as early as I can remember, go for it and don't look back. And don't heed the negative opinions that weigh you down.
NevarYalnal
Well-Known Member
It does count as one of your 3 tries, but you should be able to take the aviation portion of the test within 30 days for a merged score. That should be plenty of time to study.
GhostlySeas
SWO Hopeful
Thank you, that's extremely inspiring. It's funny, because when I first called recruiters the AF guy straight up told me they wouldn't want me and hung up.
My whole journey has been testing, but I don't think I'd change it. When I was 18, I almost enlisted in the Navy because my college credits would get me to E2/E3, but my boyfriend at the time went through boot camp and would tell me "The Navy would never want you, you're too fat and we aren't cut from the same cloth, you're weak." I believed him so I moved on to college. Found myself in the Veteran's Resource Center, I liked to say I lived vicariously through them. My professor was a retired Colonel, he pressured me through my three years to look into commissioning but I waved it off.
In July, I was sexually assaulted by an Army SGT. My 2020 mainly consisted of dealing with the CID and the Army Lawyers to make sure they kept up the court martial proceedings. They tried to get me to go with the Article 15 route, but I held fast and refused to back down from the charges. In August, I was driving by Naval Base Kitsap, looked over to the retired Kittyhawk, and decided that I had suppressed my dreams long enough and it was time to dig my heels in. I have since lost 5 inches off my stomach, 6 inches off my hips, and 4 off my waist (with forgiveness to measuring mistakes).
In early December, said Army SGT killed himself to escape the court martial, the day before our Article 32 hearing. He admitted to it to the Army, to me, and to multiple other people so he knew he was screwed.
At this point, nothing will deter me from this. If I'm rejected this round, I'll just apply again and make the improvements suggested of me, be it more college or a better application. If I exhaust everything, I'll set my sights on contracting. I've dealt with scary paperwork and people with authority telling me no, I'll get through this.
GhostlySeas
SWO Hopeful
30 days is more than enough time! Sweet! Thank you for the info.
@GhostlySeas best of luck in your application and everything else going forward! I'll just say that in the military in general, being able to take tests (and... pass them) is def a requirement. Granted, for most people, in aviation the tests aren't that hard if you pay attention, especially to the subtle ("pound pound this might be on the test" stomps). But since it's a transferable skill, I also wouldn't mention bad test-taking skills on my app. We've had students get their first pink sheet on a test at API, second in ground school, both on tests. Fail one flight and you're then on the short list for getting attrited (IPC, COPC (used to be called FPC), outties).
Anyways, as mentioned earlier, zero chance if you don't apply. And I'd finish getting into proper fitness for OCS before then as well... My understanding is they don't make you run it anymore ahead of time based on another thread about a year ago, but be at least excellent low before you show up, and I'd try to be there before applying if it's truly important to you. A lot to go from 18 minute 1.5; congrats for the improvement from whatever it was though.
Anyways, as mentioned earlier, zero chance if you don't apply. And I'd finish getting into proper fitness for OCS before then as well... My understanding is they don't make you run it anymore ahead of time based on another thread about a year ago, but be at least excellent low before you show up, and I'd try to be there before applying if it's truly important to you. A lot to go from 18 minute 1.5; congrats for the improvement from whatever it was though.
I got picked up with a 2.605 GPA. you're overthinking this. GO ahead and apply. In your application, don't make excuses but focus on the things you are good at. Talk about your strengths and then see what happens.
This++
OCS and being in the military is all about time management too. Highlight your ability to cram down 7 courses per semester while working. Highlight your ability to see a goal and achieve it. Let them worry about your GPA.
GhostlySeas
SWO Hopeful
Thank you! While test taking is still a weakness of mine, in the last year of my college my tests started to improve and I definitely think I made excuses but there's no room for them anymore. I'm going to dig into resolving this somehow and figure out WHY I am not the best at them and then fix it. I certainly studied and enjoy studying so there must be somewhere else breaking down.
Oh, it went from 30 minutes to 18. I still have ways to go on the run and push ups, but I also learned its maybe not the best to attempt to sprint the entire mile and a half and I should just keep a steady jog.... The cons of training yourself off online research. You don't know what you don't know until you know you don't know it. I DID hit the minimum requirement for planks last night though, and I'm about 75% of the way to push ups. I am sure that by the time the March board comes around I'll be close enough that I would feel comfortable with my ability to meet the standards in time.
That does help to know. Overthinking is a con of mine... Thank god for the statement section.
That perfectly summarizes my college career. Thank you for your encouragement!
exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
I hope that guy wasn't your boyfriend after that conversation.
It is a great thing that you are losing weight and getting better at running, I would recommend that you try to get to 12 minutes for the 1.5 mile run, if anything you want to be consistently a few minutes faster than the minimum.
at the end of the day whether you are selected or not you are doing things to make yourself a healthier person and you will have shown yourself and others what you can do, so keep up the good work.