Hi everyone,
I'm a current high school junior LIVING IN THE U.S. I lived in Israel for 8 years (age 3-11), with Israeli parents and an Israeli family, and I speak FLUENT Hebrew and still read and write, talk to friends, read the news. I have dual citizenship- U.S. (born here) and Israeli (parents/Jewish)
As you guys know, Israeli citizens (males) must serve 3 years in the IDF after High School. Things are different for me- I can exempt service because I left before I was 13 and I have an American citizenship- I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS. I am proud to be an Israeli, I want to serve with my friends, and I don't want to do what everyone else is doing- I want to make my life interesting.
The question is WHEN. I want to serve with my friends, be a normal Israeli, not an American Jew who volunteers in a special American unit for a year. I want to do 3 years like an Israeli.
You see, I am an Honors student, looking to attend top colleges. Freshman year I had a really good GPA (~3.8 unweighted), but the past two years, due to bad time management and spreading myself too thin, I have been doing quite poorly (Straight B's and a few C's/C+'s, barely any A's). However the semester is about to end and I am SET on making second semester Junior year and first semester Senior year spectacular (both this year and next year I am taking 4 AP's). My ACT is 29 on a first try with no studying, so I plan to bring that up a bit. I am president of my BBYO Chapter (vice president for 2 terms), Co Founder/President of Business Club, and head delegate of Model UN committee for 2 years, and swim team for 3 years (doesn't really matter aha.)
As you guys can see, I am in a bit of trouble with my GPA if I plan on applying to top colleges (UW-Madison- in state, not that much of a worry, U-Washington, and Univ. of Virginia- I like this college a lot.)
However, I've thought that if I have an upward trend now with my GPA and I go to the IDF that this might be a HOOK- interesting essays, not everyone serves in a foreign country, this would give me leadership and life experience. Would this help me? Another question: Would I apply as International or from Wisconsin- My family is from wisconsin but technically I live in Israel (with a U.S. citizenship.) Aggh this is confusing.
My counselor said to go to the army if I want, but APPLY my senior year, and then defer enrollment- that colleges might like to see that I have plans for the future. However, I think my bad GPA would stop me from being accepted, where the IDF hook might help with essays and such.
So apply senior year, or go to IDF first? Should I do IDF after college and serve for 3 extra years (but with a profession?)
AGHHHHHH HELP ME!
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