Excuse what follows as a rather lengthy post and please take no offense if I state what may seem obvious as I'm trying to be comprehensive.
1. The importance of your daughter's peer group cannot be overstated. Associating with successful, well-behaved, focused kids is critical and they can provide POSITIVE peer pressure, lifting up both the individual and the group. If you can, volunteer in the classroom and at extra-curricular activities so you get to know the teachers, administrators, and who are kids worth cultivating relationships with and who should be avoided. If she is shy or introverted, work to fix this even if it is uncomfortable. When she is strong and confident herself, she can be an example and help lead and inspire some of the kids who are struggling to be more successful.
I couldn't agree with you more. My kids have been in three schools in their K-12 academic careers and I've seen how their academic aspirations have changed based on their peer groups and the overall academic excellence of their schools based on the student body.
2. Find both a sports and extra-curricular activity she is passionate about. This may take a few tries. I was stressed when my youngest (8th grade) seemed to get zero enjoyment from baseball and I worried he'd be an athletic wallflower. Fast forward and he's the quarterback of the football team. He had to find what was right for him. I urge you to do JROTC if you can. If no program is available try Civil Air Patrol. If neither is available some type of scout program.
My DD is trying out cross-country and has run with her older brothers. She has been in a junior shooting (shotgun) club, but prefers rifle, so we are exploring a youth rifle club. She has chosen both, so we'll narrow down which she has more of an interest in.
I hadn't thought about JROTC, but my DD has just begun CAP.
Recognize this is a competition against other highly motivated and talented people for limited slots.
Specific Plan:
1. Get a mentor. An active or retired officer as close to the program you are interested in.
How would I go about searching for one? Here?
2. Research. The program's website is your best source of true information. Other research such as on websites like this is advice and opinion only (mine included).
Have been doing this.
3. Build a chart for each college/program/scholarship you are interested in. List different categories: ACT/SAT; GPA; Class Rank; AP/Honors Classes; Leadership Positions; Athletics; Physical Fitness; Extra-curriculars; Volunteering; Awards; and lastly what's cool about you or makes you special?
Starting this now!
--Research the program you are applying to. Record the average range of a SUCCESSFUL candidate for this program. What does a typical successful candidate do? What do their files look like?
Starting this now!
--Underneath this, in each category, list a goal of where you want to be to meet as many of these requirements as possible and make yourself the most competitive candidate you can be.
Starting this now!
--At the bottom of the page list where you are in each of these categories and create a "ladder" to your goal of how you will get there. This is in pencil.
Starting this now!
--If you have a weakness, attack it. If your daughter doesn't like sports or isn't physically fit, if she's not comfortable speaking in public, get after it.
Have been working on this. You nailed it with my DD - public speaking. She's been attending a speech/debate private program for the past year.
--Remember, MINIMUM scores to get into a program such as minimum ACT scores, are what NON-SELECTs do. My kid was so proud when he came home and reported he got the minimum ACT score to get the Marine NROTC scholarship he wanted and now he could now relax and forget about standardized tests. It took some counseling with a 2 by 4 to convince him this was the path to failure. After much studying and practice, he got his ACT score where it needed to be. But he has scars where I had to beat him. Left to his own dumb self, he wouldn't have done anything to improve his score.
One good thing for her is that she'll have to test for her private Catholic high school (HSPT test) and that'll give her experience for the eventual SAT/ACT tests. Also, I'm headed to Home Depot for that 2x4.
--Lastly, make a timeline of when key events need to happen. Do everything 30 days early from the due date at least. Also, it is worth noting as mentioned numerous times on this forum by people who know, don't submit your application until it is at its best because apparently most if not every program will score it only once. In other words, don't go early if you are looking at increasing your ACT score or your physical fitness score in a couple months because the newer, better scores won't make it into your packet.
Will be setting reminders along the way.
Best Wishes and Good Luck!
Thanks for the super-detailed action plan. There's certainly A LOT that needs to be thought through and planned (as with any goal). My DD, being the last of my three kids, has benefitted the most from the trials and errors of her older brothers (for my middle child, we only started to consider the SA's for him when he was a freshman, only to learn that his peanut allergy disqualified him). I think we're ahead of most in her future SA class, but the criteria that really count is ahead of her.
The responses from everyone here has been tremendous. It's comforting to be a part of a "community" that's supportive and open!
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