What do you do when you dont make the cut?

Should I even bother to continue to pursue the Naval Academy? Ive been wanting to go there for years now and ive based my entire life around it. I did more sports because of it. I worked harder in school, I did more community service, I stayed with Boy Scouts even when I didnt want to.

But all this seems to count for nothing.
I didnt make the cut for NHS
I didnt make it for Boys State


So if I cant even make it into community level competition how am I supposed to compete with the nation's best and get into USNA?

Things just dont seem fair because Ive based my life around building my character, and leadership, and physical aptitude. Every single one of my friends tells me I work too hard but all I say to them is I really want to get into the Naval Academy. But I still cant get anywhere! I failed at NHS. failed at Boys State. I feel like im completely wasting my time. All my friends who barely work at all and are the worst models of character all make it in NHS.

Life lesson learned today: Hard work doesnt pay off?

All of this extra work I have been doing to make myself appear a better candidate is tough and seems meaningless given the prospect of not receiving an appointment or even a nomination; but try to think that you are also improving how you look for every ROTC or scholarship or university application. Besides, shouldn't you also been able to reapply for NHS in the fall? I failed as well but I see this upcoming summer as an opportunity to strengthen my app for NHS as well as all the other paths I am pursuing.

Well, first I want to let you know that you probably aren't going to get far with this self-defeatest attitude on this site. There are lots of young men and women, and parents of young men and women, here who have all worked hard and sacrificed and have never given up. Some of them won't get appointments...I've even read of those who have applied two and three times and not given up on their dreams. The SAs like that kind of determination.

If this is truly your dream, do not give up. I understand that you are disappointed right now, but pick yourself up and continue to move forward with determination. Hard work DOES pay off. Do not only work hard to impress others; do so to become a better person, and you will be a great success in life!

Nick you have to do exactly as momofthemajik suggested and pick yourself up and move forward. Even some of the most accomplished people on this site have been where you are. What they have been able to do is adjust very quickly when circumstances don't go the way they wanted them to. Delayed gratification is never very fun during the delayed part but boy is it great when things finally do happen. Never stop working, keep the faith and let your parents help you through this.

HiMyNameisNick said:

So if I cant even make it into community level competition how am I supposed to compete with the nation's best and get into USNA?

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I'm just going to tell you another lesson I've learned from another guy's story.

Like you, his whole high school career has been focused on the Academy. In fact, he had started preparing since 8th grade.

He didn't get to go to Boy State, either. However, the Academy admissions board apparently thought he was a highly desirable candidate and sent him a Letter of Assurance way back in July. He received nominations from both of his senators in a very competitive state.

His school has a "student of the year" award. Academically he ranks 1st out of 440 seniors. He's the commanding officer of a 170-strong NJROTC Corps of Cadets, biggest club in the school. He's also captain of a cross-country team that has been district champion for several years and renowned in a highly competitive region. Etc. etc. etc. Faculty members from the principal to substitute teacher to janitor have told him that he's a model for all students not only in academics and in sports but also because of his character. Many of his classmates, whether close friends or not, like to joke with him, "I'll definitely vote for you if you run for president." However, he did not receive the "student of the year" award. Various students said that the person who did receive the award is really a "b****."

He had very few successes with girls. lol

One just cannot get everything, sometimes even though he or she deserves something. Maybe life wants to give another person a chance, too. It is not fair, but look at it as life's way of making it (to a degree) fair for all - by making it unfair for each person, in one way or another.

It was through a gradual process that the guy in my story came to think like that. Eventually he just smiled at every defeat, and learned anything he could from his defeats. Frequently he realized he could not reach some of his goals no matter how hard he tried, but he has always unswervingly moved forward.

Your greatest strength is not in your grades, stats or resume entries. Your greatest strength is in yourself. It is you that make it possible to achieve those notable records. There are many times external or internal reasons may hamper your endeavors, but you can always drive yourself to keep moving forward. Even after you make it to the Academy, what will make you a great officer is not the Academy. It is you, as long as you make the most out of your experience and out of yourself in spite of any obstacles.

Expect the best but prepare for the worse.

Well without failure there can be no success. I personally have not made the cut for a lot of things. So just tell yourself its only a bump in the road and that there will be greater and better opportunities out there waiting.

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."

"Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted."

Two quotes from Randy Pausch, author of "The Last Lecture." Really should read this book. Speaks to failure/inability to do what you want, then find that in the long run it was for the best, the dream comes true through a different path.

parentofmen said:

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."

"Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted."

Two quotes from Randy Pausch, author of "The Last Lecture." Really should read this book. Speaks to failure/inability to do what you want, then find that in the long run it was for the best, the dream comes true through a different path.

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Yes Ive seen the video for that twice. Some of our teachers love to show that one in class, I find it quite inspiring too.

And to everyone else thanks for the 'pick me up' advice.

Its just frustrating sometimes because I work VERY hard. I feel like I am at my very best right now, so when im told I didnt make the cut then its a little disheartening to know that my best isnt enough. But if thats true then my desired spot at USNA could go to someone better. Ill keep pushing myself and hopefully that brings me somewhere good =]

Here's some good news. You have to remember that not everyone who receives an appointment is accepted to Boy's State or NASS, or has a Eagle Scout. You have to make your Whole person score the best you can and there are a variety of ways of doing it.

My son has an appointment to the USAFA. He did attend the USAFASS and attended Boy's State but his GPA was low, which put his class rank low as well. We knew it would be so we made sure that he did everything he could in other areas. He took the ACT 3 times trying to improve each sections score each time. He ran for All Student Body President, continued with his sports, continued to take the hardest classes he could (while other seniors were starting late or ending school early). He continued his volunteering with anything and everything he could find as well as hold down a job.

You still have the power to get in but you will have to build your score in different ways.

Also remember the academies are extremely busy with the incoming classes and making those final selections. It has been reported that each of the SA's has experienced a couple of thousand more applicants.

Don't forget that you can look at the profiles of the classes before you and you can compare your scores to what they were able to do.

It's not over until next year for you. You have lots of time to continue building your resume. Go out there and get started on the rest of it!!!

HiMyNameisNick said:

I feel like I am at my very best right now, so when im told I didnt make the cut then its a little disheartening to know that my best isnt enough. But if thats true then my desired spot at USNA could go to someone better.

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Don't think like that until USNA makes that decision for you.

I'm still waiting on USAFA, and I know that with the grades I earned during my first two years of high school, my chances are slim. I was a lazy freshman and frankly, I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life. You have a dream - something I didn't have until the end of my sophomore year. Admissions has its ways of seeing this. The clubs listed on your resume do have some relevance to citing your successes, but they do not have the final say. Write about your struggles in your essays. Discuss these happenings with your BGO. That's exactly what I did with my application - I explained when, why, and how I decided to better myself as a student for the sake of becoming a USAF officer. Have I gotten an appointment yet? No. Will I get one in the next couple weeks? I really don't know. What I do know is that I put in an honest effort to improving my academics throughout the past two years of high school and that becoming an Air Force officer is now my one and only dream. I will never give up, and I'm sure you feel the same way about becoming a Naval officer as well.

There are many ways to become a Naval Officer, if that is your goal. Or is it is just to attend the Naval Academy? You need to think the long term. You can apply to colleges, apply for NROTC scholarship, and go that route to becoming a Naval Officer. My son hasn't heard yet from the Academy, but has been accepted to two very prestigious universities (no word yet on NROTC scholarship). Whether he is admitted to the Academy or receives a scholarship or not, his backup plan is to go to university, participate in NROTC, and apply again next year. If that doesn't work, he still has NROTC, and can apply again for scholarship. Either way, he becomes a Naval Officer. Good luck with whatever you do. Just remember, it is the end result that counts.

HiMyNameisNick said:

Should I even bother to continue to pursue the Naval Academy? Ive been wanting to go there for years now and ive based my entire life around it. I did more sports because of it. I worked harder in school, I did more community service, I stayed with Boy Scouts even when I didnt want to.

But all this seems to count for nothing.
I didnt make the cut for NHS
I didnt make it for Boys State


So if I cant even make it into community level competition how am I supposed to compete with the nation's best and get into USNA?

Things just dont seem fair because Ive based my life around building my character, and leadership, and physical aptitude. Every single one of my friends tells me I work too hard but all I say to them is I really want to get into the Naval Academy. But I still cant get anywhere! I failed at NHS. failed at Boys State. I feel like im completely wasting my time. All my friends who barely work at all and are the worst models of character all make it in NHS.

Life lesson learned today: Hard work doesnt pay off?

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Honestly..stop crying. Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. If you don't think you can get into USNA then don't apply.

However, if you really want it as badly as you somewhat make it seem, then you'll come out of this learning a lesson and a better person because of it. I didn't go to Boy's State and didn't make it into NHS, but I still got an appointment. Stop doubting yourself and stop whining.

Nick, man up.

My son's PSATs, then SATs, were low-ish, though his grades, ec's, sports, leadership were great. He applied to NASS and was turned down INSTANTLY. Then he got a letter from USNA admissions saying, "Normally we open a USNA applicant file for all NASS applicants; we're not doing that for you."

He was devastated. But he didn't quit, or feel sorry for himself.

Enter his sainted BGO: He happened to call to introduce himself at about that time, said, "Wait, I know your school, and know your grades aren't inflated -- let me see if I can get a file opened for you." He did. Son got SAT tutoring, upped SATs but not to 1800. Still, he applied, blah blah blah, heard nothing. A classmate received an appointment. Son figured he didn't make the cut.

So son got on a plane, flew 3,000 miles and just appeared at the Academy. Somehow got to see his admissions officer and a coach (in a sport he wants to pursue but hasn't tried). Frankly, didn't get any encouragement. At all. I mean, LESS than no encouragement.

Came home, sad but believing he'd done everything possible. 48 hours later phone rang (on a Sunday), and his BGO said, "How'd you like to go to NAPS?"

He's now a 2/C, top 15% of his class, 1st Sgt in his company, training plebes this summer, blah blah blah. The point is, if you want it, keep pushing. This path is not for the faint of heart.

Don't give up!

NorthernCalMother said:

Nick, man up.

My son's PSATs, then SATs, were low-ish, though his grades, ec's, sports, leadership were great. He applied to NASS and was turned down INSTANTLY. Then he got a letter from USNA admissions saying, "Normally we open a USNA applicant file for all NASS applicants; we're not doing that for you."

He was devastated. But he didn't quit, or feel sorry for himself.

Enter his sainted BGO: He happened to call to introduce himself at about that time, said, "Wait, I know your school, and know your grades aren't inflated -- let me see if I can get a file opened for you." He did. Son got SAT tutoring, upped SATs but not to 1800. Still, he applied, blah blah blah, heard nothing. A classmate received an appointment. Son figured he didn't make the cut.

So son got on a plane, flew 3,000 miles and just appeared at the Academy. Somehow got to see his admissions officer and a coach (in a sport he wants to pursue but hasn't tried). Frankly, didn't get any encouragement. At all. I mean, LESS than no encouragement.

Came home, sad but believing he'd done everything possible. 48 hours later phone rang (on a Sunday), and his BGO said, "How'd you like to go to NAPS?"

He's now a 2/C, top 15% of his class, 1st Sgt in his company, training plebes this summer, blah blah blah. The point is, if you want it, keep pushing. This path is not for the faint of heart.

Don't give up!

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wow thats very impressive.
Its in my nature to never give up, even if I say im going to I always end up trying harder. hopefully I can try to show that to the Academies.

Nick, I will not repeat what other's have said. They have offered wise counsel.

Here's something you can do.......did you interview for Boys State? NHS? Go to the counselor, or whoever is "in charge" of those two organizations. Tell them you have high goals and want to attend USNA. Tell them you want to be able to improve on your deficiencies. If they say, "Well, your interview didn't go well..." then get some practice speaking and interviewing. I deal with a large scholarship that accepts applicants nationwide. Sometimes the very best applicants have trouble articulating that in an interview or on paper. Sometimes we will interview someone who looks outstanding on paper and come away shaking our heads and saying "Wow, that doesn't add up!"

Basically, find out why you didn't get those two things recently, then find out how to improve that area. And then find something to pour your heart into, something you really like. It is always disturbing for me to read the posts where a candidate says they stuck with an activity they hated because they thought it would help them get into USNA or another SA. Not the right reason, at all. It will be easier to succeed in something you like.

Good luck.

don't give up the fight. you can prove your worth in other ways than national honor and boys state. son had 2 noms last year, and was 3Q'ed and was not appointed. a year later , has had a great social and academic year at college on a nrotc scholarship , got 3 noms plus his rotc unit nom, did lots of further activities and got other great recs, and he won the appointment this year. He has loved his rotc unit and would have been happy to stay with it had he been denied again. He's a year older and wiser, and nrotc has prepared him well. He'll go the academy much more prepared and will be better able to handle the demands of plebe year. sometimes things do work out for the best.

My son was turned down for NHS his Frosh, Soph and Jr years. Reason stated - not enough leadership experience. Yet, he received appointments to USMA and USAFA ... 2 of the 5 premier leadership institutions in the country.

Don't worry about impressing those local boards, you need to impress the admissions boards at the Academy. Keep up the good hard work you're doing now and you'll prevail. The prep work you're doing now will only help you NO MATTER WHAT YOU END UP DOING.

BTW, NHS finally approved my son's application during this, his SR year. He found the acceptance now highly ironic.

I never went to boys state, nor went to any seminar for the academies, and got an appointment to the USAFA. Never give up hope, and try again next year, It shows to the admissions board that you are determined to go there.

HiMyNameisNick said:

Should I even bother to continue to pursue the Naval Academy? Ive been wanting to go there for years now and ive based my entire life around it. I did more sports because of it. I worked harder in school, I did more community service, I stayed with Boy Scouts even when I didnt want to.

But all this seems to count for nothing.
I didnt make the cut for NHS
I didnt make it for Boys State


So if I cant even make it into community level competition how am I supposed to compete with the nation's best and get into USNA?

Things just dont seem fair because Ive based my life around building my character, and leadership, and physical aptitude. Every single one of my friends tells me I work too hard but all I say to them is I really want to get into the Naval Academy. But I still cant get anywhere! I failed at NHS. failed at Boys State. I feel like im completely wasting my time. All my friends who barely work at all and are the worst models of character all make it in NHS.

Life lesson learned today: Hard work doesnt pay off?

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Nick, listen to me. I think every candidate has at some point or another made USNA their life goal. This is too arduous of a process for someone who just applies for the fun of it. I understand your frustration, Boys state and NHS are both great programs. I am not involved in either one of them. I considered it, but decided against it because of the sports I played and time constraints. Just because you didnt get into those two programs, does not make you a less capable applicant in the eyes of the Academy. They take a "overall character" approach to their admissions. So just be confident. Know that they've already made cuts and your still in the running. Right now your on the verge of something great.

As far as your life lesson goes, hard work does pay off. You may not be able to see the impact it has on something right now, but in the future you will see how your work better prepared you to accomplish some certain goal.

Keep your head up man, its tough stuff for all of us applying this year.