Tyrone Said:

Can I make it to UCLA?

We Answered:

your classes are ok, debate is good, ROP is good, tennis is good, working at temple is good.

NHS and CSF are good, and starting your own service club is good too. But they won't care about your other clubs at all unless your doing comm. service in them or your have leadership.

It's very good you come from that background, yet your SAT needs to be higher- UCLA is a top notch school, a 1630 will be a very bad mark.

Right now I say your chances are slim with that SAT score. You need a good essay (focus on your background).

Good luck

Christopher Said:

I need your opinion!?

We Answered:

In the Objective, omit future career advancement and growth.
Mention benefits to the company – not benefits to you.
Under Technical Skills, you have “Filling” twice.
It needs edits. There are typos, inconsistent capitalization, wrong spacing after commas, etc.
Add a summary of qualifications. Include customer satisfaction, communication skills, etc.

Ryan Said:

Chances on NROTC (Marine Option) Scholarship?

We Answered:

First, NROTC is only one of four primary ways to become a Marine Corps Officer. It is more restrictive because there are only a few colleges/universities that offer NROTC. If this is why you are selecting Temple, Drexel, or UM, then you are limiting the number of colleges/universities that you can apply.

Second, consider the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) as another option. This consists of two 6 week summer OCS sessions: 1st occurs between your Sophomore and Junior years and 2nd between your Junior and Senior years. If you successfully complete PLC OCS, then you will be commissioned a Marine Corps officer on the day you receive your BA or BS degree. Another PLC program is call PLC-Combined. This is 10 weeks (same as regular OCS) between your Junior and Senior year with commissioned on day get degree. You can apply for PLC scholarship program, normally after successful completion of PLC-JR session - need to check with a Marine Corps Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for current status and application of the program. PLC-LAW is another program within PLC which provides an opportunity to go to law school - tough to get.

Third, regular OCS that you apply for in your senior year of college and go to OCS after your receive your BA/BS degree.

Lastly, the Naval Academy - go on line and take a look at requirements. From your personal history, looks like there isn't much of a chance due to your grades.

You mentioned a tough year as a Junior. Refocus now. Community work is nice, but not a requirement. Take summer classes especially those that generate college credits. Rebuilt your GPA. Your immediate goal is to get into a college/university. Low grades in Junior/Senior year of HS will not help you. If there is a girl (s) that is keeping your GPA from being what it should, refocus on your academic studies. There will be plenty of time for girls/women after you complete college and become a Marine Corps officer. It is OK to date, but not to the extent that you unfocused. Ditto for any other activity that can distract you e.g. gangs, groups of guys whose aspirations do not include college.

Maybe your SAT scores will be good enough and maybe not. If you can afford it, there are SAT learning classes that you can take in HS that will increase your scores 150 to 300 pts. This is not magic. The increase will only happen if you learn the material presented in your regular HS classes. The SAT learning classes essentially teach how to take the SAT exam, not the material that may be in the exam. You don't need both the ACT and the SAT. Decide on a college and take the appropriate exams for that college/university.

About what college curriculum - take anything that you feel comfortable with. There are Marine Corps officers with degrees in PhysEd, Business, Accounting, political science, engineering, mathematics, etc. Since you will be in competition with out Marine Corps OCS applicants, your GPA will need to be 2.5 or higher (higher always better especially if it is a non-engineering/chemistry) type curriculum. To save money, focus on an in-state college. It is OK to start off in a community college and switch over to a state college. Keep in mind that the PLC(JR) session will require that you be enrolled at the state level before going.

Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps-Retired

Bobbie Said:

I'm having serious second thoughts about law school. What are the chances I'm making a mistake?

We Answered:

You should have serious second thoughts, this is a big decision that will effect the rest of your life. If you were not concerned it would show that you do not understand the importance of this step and that would be a mistake. You will be working harder than you ever thought possible for your law degree, that is something to be nervous about.

What are the chances you are making a mistake -- about 10%. Much lower that those you enter law school because mommy or daddy is a lawyer or because they were bored -- yes you will have those as classmates.

Your career is very realistic. You are in the right area for salary expectations and your abilities with foreign language makes you quite a special person in the legal world. International law is hot and getting hotter, especially in dealing with China. Due to the problems that we are having with Chinese imports there will be plenty of litigation and opportunities to work with that country in the future.

You are spending a lot of time looking at that end point - what you will do after law school. While that is great, and you are very realistic in what you want, remember no one knows what opportunities will present themselves during law school so you need to keep your options open. You should get a summer job with a law firm that does international law in the summer after your first year. Do not limit yourself to a civil service position, there are some law firms that would love to have an attorney with your talents and would agree to your terms.

You are very realistic about a legal career. Please do not bail now, we need more practical attorneys. Enjoy the opportunities that your special talents will give you. Temple is a good school, you will find yourself too busy with homework to really get to deal with the city. Best of luck to you!

Barry Said:

What is the best book you read ed?

We Answered:

http://www.1lovepoems.com/pb4.shtml is a beautiful love poem Thomas Moore wrote to his wife, who had been disfigured by a pox disease.
Some love stories like this: Jacob Have I Loved and Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson,
The Giver, Lois Lowry,
The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis,
Sacred Psychology of Love, Marilyn Barrick,
Momo, Michael Ende,
Expecting Adam, Martha Beck
For Women Only, Shaunti Feldhahn.

Reviews at http://www.amazon.com