Class of 2014,2013,and beyond: The Class of 2015 would really appreciate your advice!

mammothchick67

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To the Class of 2014:
As many of the LOAs and TWEs have been sent out, the time for 2015 to begin applying is looming on the horizon. What advice do you have for us regarding our relationship with our BGO, the application itself, NASS (I'm sure many of you attended), things you regret, things you did well, and anything else you would tell someone who is about to begin the application process. Why USNA and not NROTC? Is anyone out there planning on reapplying?

To the Class of 2013:
What advice do you have regarding Plebe Year? I've heard it's the hardest of all four years. What was the transition like? What do you wish you could have done better? What have you done particularly well in, and why? How do you recommend we prepare for Plebe Summer and Plebe Year? What is it about you that landed you a spot at USNA? Why did you go with USNA and not ROTC? What would you tell someone who is only a few months away from I-Day (class of 2014 for example!)

To anyone else:
I have addressed these two classes simply because they have most recently gone through these processes. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated by myself and any other 2015 hopeful!
 
To the Class of 2014:
As many of the LOAs and TWEs have been sent out, the time for 2015 to begin applying is looming on the horizon. What advice do you have for us regarding our relationship with our BGO, the application itself, NASS (I'm sure many of you attended), things you regret, things you did well, and anything else you would tell someone who is about to begin the application process. Why USNA and not NROTC? Is anyone out there planning on reapplying?

BGO: I don't know what to say--it depends on who you get. Ours was easy to get along with and really helpful. Keep him in the loop and ask questions.

Application: Work on it now! Well, maybe as soon as school is out. DON'T WAIT FOR NEXT FALL TO GET STARTED. More importantly, check your US Senators' and Rep's websites for THEIR applications. Got to have a nom for all this to work.

NASS: Daughter loved NASS. She said it brought the whole concept into focus. She also went to AFASS and the comparison was useful to her.
If you have the opportunity, go.

USNA v NROTC: Apply for both. You need a backup plan. Consider the Senior Military Colleges -- I'm partial to Texas A&M!!! :thumb: We were also impressed with Norwich University.
Purely, from a financial viewpoint, the 4-year NROTC scholarship is worth about $45,000. The USNA appointment is worth much more, maybe $400,000?

Spend some time in self-reflection. It seemed to me that daughter's biggest problems in interviews came from not looking at herself objectively.
On interviews: be honest. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said to whom.

Best wishes.
 
WOW. That is definitely a loaded question. I will try to answer as best as possible, as a Class of 2014 appointee. Regards to USNA or ROTC, I think its something that you really just have to feel. I think that anyone that has gone to USNA or is about to go has just felt that it is the right place for them. Your whole heart has to be in it, or you won't even make it through the application process. I know for me, I visited other schools and I thought about relaxing and just enjoying college, but I knew that I would never get to experience the things and oppurtunities I will get at the Academy. It will also train me to be the best possible Naval officer. I love the camraderie that you have with your fellow mids. Visiting there and seeing videos online, you see how close they are and how much fun they have, despite the hardships and rigid lifestyle. Whether it is shaving cream bombs during Army Week, or a Plebe losing a bet and having to dance to Call on Me. There really is nothing else like it. Plus, my dad made sure to tell me MANY stories about the amount of fun they have there ;)

Now to the actual application process, my best advice is to get everything in as early as process. I would suggest talking to your Math and English teachers about recommendations BEFORE school lets out. That way, you can have them send it you to you during the summer. You can also go to your school during the summer and have the transcript sent, so that you have all things ready by the time September starts. First of all, train hard for NASS and do your best on the CFA. If you didn't get into NASS, it really is no big deal because I have been told the majority of mids didn't go to NASS. Than when you get back, you will have a candidate number and you will need to get in touch with your regional director and BGO. Your director will be the one taking your actual file to the board, so it is good to have a great relationship with them. Whenever I had something new to add, I would call my director and talk to him. If possible get everything in before school starts, to show your desire. The only thing you will be waiting on is nominations of course. Prepare well for your interviews, with BGO and nominations. Always dress nice, be respectful, and most importantly your desire to not only go to the Naval Academy, but to be the best possible naval officer. After all, that is what it is ALL about. I was lucky enough to receive a Presidential nomination, and had EVERYTHING in by September. I think this is what helped me receive one of the first BFEs on October 16th. During senior year, do as much leadership as possible and update your regional director with everything you do. After everything is in and you cant improve on SATs or anything... it is time to just hope and pray. Once you do get in, it is time to get in as great a shape as possible for plebe summer. I know that I am running. A LOT. I hope this helps. I am by no means an excerpt, and will be able to give you more information by September when I hopefully have completed a successful plebe summer.

Good luck to all Class of 2015!! The application process is a long journey, but don't get discouraged. Once you see that BFE, it is all worth it. Now I am just trying to enjoy my last year of freedom while simultaneously trying to contain my excitement for July 1st. I know on that date, a whole new journey will begin. :biggrin::thumb::yllol::wink::shake::shake:
 
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Now to the actual application process, my best advice is to get everything in as early as process. I would suggest talking to your Math and English teachers about recommendations BEFORE school lets out. That way, you can have them send it you to you during the summer. You can also go to your school during the summer and have the transcript sent, so that you have all things ready by the time September starts.


If possible get everything in before school starts, to show your desire. The only thing you will be waiting on is nominations of course. Prepare well for your interviews, with BGO and nominations. Always dress nice, be respectful, and most importantly your desire to not only go to the Naval Academy, but to be the best possible naval officer. After all, that is what it is ALL about.

I absolutely agree with USNAwaterpolo's post.

The best advice that I received regarding the application process was to get everything completed before September.

1.) Speak to your English and Math teachers and your Guidance Counselor before school ends for the summer. Stress your desire to get everything completed before the end of summer and give them a deadline for submitting their recommendations to USNA.
I spoke with both my English and Math teachers and asked them to please submit their recommendations before mid-July. I also asked them if I could stay in touch with them during the summer in case I needed to talk to them – one of my teachers gave me her personal email address and the other one stated that she often checks her email during the summer. Both recommendations were submitted to and received by the Academy by the end of June.

2.) I also spoke with my Guidance Counselor and although he at first was reluctant to do anything over the summer, he respected my deadline and submitted his recommendation by mid-June. My Candidate Academic Information was submitted in mid-August.

3.) I ordered my high school transcript as soon as grades came out in June and the Academy received my transcript by the end of June.

4.) I sent my April ACT scores as soon as they were reported.

5.) I called my BGO at the beginning of July and he returned my call within two weeks – My interview took place at the end of July and he submitted his interview to the Academy by mid–August.

6.) I scheduled my physicals as soon as I received the DODMERB paperwork – completed both physicals in July and was considered qualified within two weeks.

7.) Attended NASS in June and completed my CFA during the session.

8.) Submitted my complete application to the Academy on September 3rd.

9.) Submitted my complete congressional nomination packets by mid-September.

10.) Received LOA on September 26th (letter was dated September 21st)


11.) Nomination Interview with my Congressman on November 21st

12.) USNA received my congressional nomination on December 1st

13.) During the second week of December, my Congressman called me on my cell phone while I was in school – I called him back – and he informed me of my appointment.

14.) My appointment (the BFE) was delivered on December 21st.

I was determined to complete and submit everything as early as possible. I was fortunate to have teachers and a guidance counselor who worked with me and respected my desire to have everything completed in a timely fashion.
Good Luck! I hope that my application timeline helps.
 
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To the Class of 2014:
What advice do you have for us regarding our relationship with our BGO

Better you ask the BGOs. :smile: Have as much or as little a relationship as you want. I don't care if my candidates call or email me every day or only for the interview -- makes NO difference in the way I view them. If you have lots of questions, your BGO can be a great source of advice or, sadly, not. If you're ok on your own, don't spam your BGO just to "stay in touch."

NASS (I'm sure many of you attended)

If you aren't interested in USNA, don't go. If you go, give 100%. Be in shape. Be motivated.


To anyone else:
I have addressed these two classes simply because they have most recently gone through these processes. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated by myself and any other 2015 hopeful!

Not to self-promote, but my stickies provide a lot of good advice to new candidates.
 
2015

All of the above post hit the nail on the head. A few things I would like to add are:
1. Make copies of everything.(I'd recommending in a laser jet copy/printer) I was buying an ink cartridge once a week.
2. Start a filing system.
3.get a large paper calendar in addition to your outlook or whatever pc based calendar and refer to it often.
4. Start a contact list with names numbers of everyone you contact in this process.
5. Stay organized it will cut down on the stress.
6.Use the heck out of this forum.

Good luck! :thumb:
 
To 2015 and beyond: My 2 cents of advice revolves around academics

All the previous posters have excellent suggestions. For the class of 2015 your academic cards are on the table but for those sophomores and even freshman out there you have a chance to re-focus on your academic priorities.
Several weeks ago I got to attend an Academy Outreach event and the speaker had several key points for future applicants:

• A lot of very smart and talented kids get turned down by USNA because they did not take enough math & science courses in high school. By senior year the stronger candidates are taking calculus, physics, chemistry, 3rd or 4th year of a language, & English. Preferably with a high content of AP versions of these courses.

• USNA is still primarily an engineering school. While USNA does offer 30+ majors the vast majority of majors are engineering majors of some kind. The remaining "Humanities courses" still earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

• To quote the speaker " The humanities students at USNA are "stealth engineers". They are talented and smart enough to make it in engineering, but engineering is not their passion.

• To illustrate this point, my 2C Mid is an Economics major. To date she has taken: 2 semesters of chemistry, 2 semesters calculus, 2 semesters physics, 2 semesters of EE, 1 semester of thermodynamics, plus at least 1 or two courses I have forgotten. Oh yeah since she is an Economics major there are all the required economics courses, English courses , plus throw in the military science courses and you have a pretty busy student.

• Another quote from the speaker. "Be prepared to fail when you come to USNA. No matter how smart you are somewhere you will hit your academic wall. USNA is looking for the type person that is mentally tough enough to get past this shock and succeed." How this mental toughness is measured is a mystery but it is something admissions does look for from applicants.

Bottom-line USNA is looking for kids that have a high probability of succeeding in their unique 4 year program. They tend to be the athletic over-achieving muti-taskers .
 
If you aren't interested in USNA, don't go. If you go, give 100%. Be in shape. Be motivated. \

Thank you so much for the response! I am very much interested in USNA, and very excited to have been accepted to NASS. Is there any information you would give to someone about to attend NASS? I workout each day so that I can be physically prepared-very motivated. Besides taking the CFA during the session, are there any other notable activities that I should/can prepare for?

Much thanks in advance,,

A
 
To 2015 and beyond: My 2 cents of advice revolves around academics


• Another quote from the speaker. "Be prepared to fail when you come to USNA. No matter how smart you are somewhere you will hit your academic wall. USNA is looking for the type person that is mentally tough enough to get past this shock and succeed." How this mental toughness is measured is a mystery but it is something admissions does look for from applicants.

Bottom-line USNA is looking for kids that have a high probability of succeeding in their unique 4 year program. They tend to be the athletic over-achieving muti-taskers .

Thank you MIDNDAD for the thorough and thoughtful response, I appreciated it and I'm sure future classes did as well. In regards to the mental toughness, do you think the Academy likes to see people who struggle in the beginning of a class and emerge with a strong grade? Is it safe to say that the academy would prefer someone who started in a class with a B- and emerged with a B+ , A- rather than someone who has straight A's across the board? The first candidate has the toughness, but perhaps they might interpret the second candidate as a stronger student. What do you think (I am in a bit of the same situation)?

Much thanks,

A
 
• A lot of very smart and talented kids get turned down by USNA because they did not take enough math & science courses in high school. By senior year the stronger candidates are taking calculus, physics, chemistry, 3rd or 4th year of a language, & English. Preferably with a high content of AP versions of these courses.
.


Thanks for the great advice MIDNDAD.
My only question is about foreign language. Are 3 or 4 really that important? Because i attended an informational meeting a couple months back, and an admissions representative was present. I explained to him how i wouldnt be able to complete 3 foreign language classes because of other AP classes and sports. He told me not to worry about it, that as long as you have 2 it would be fine. He said because they focus on engineering, taking hard math classes is much more beneficial than 4 foreign languages. I could have misunderstood, but i believe this is correct.
 
DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!!! I've wanted to go to USNA since freshman year and I've directed all my energy over the past 4 years to getting there. This October I recieved a LOA contingent upon getting a nomination and waiver for my eyesight. I thought I had finally reached my goal and I felt on top of the world. Later, I recieved my nomination and was just waiting on my waiver. However in November I was told that I was denied medically b/c of my vision. I had gotten as far as I could, then been denied. It felt horrible. I tried again for my waiver in December. I was denied a second time. I tried once more, sending in letters of reccomendation from my optomitrist and several opthamologists. In feburary I was finally granted a waiver. And early on in March I was offered an appointment. I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this is don't ever, ever give up on your goal. And be thankful for all the support you recieve throughout the application process. I could not have done this without the support of my parents, friends, teachers, coaches, BGO and all the optomotrists/opthamologists.
 
Thank you so much for the response! I am very much interested in USNA, and very excited to have been accepted to NASS. Is there any information you would give to someone about to attend NASS? I workout each day so that I can be physically prepared-very motivated. Besides taking the CFA during the session, are there any other notable activities that I should/can prepare for?

Much thanks in advance,,

A

At the end of NASS you go through sea trials which is an entire day of physical training. The activities of which involve a lot of swimming in a pool and a river, lots of push ups, lots of flutter kicks... It's a tough time but I loved it. oh, and at the end of sea trials you go through a 30 minute long "mock indoc" where you are yelled at just like you're a plebe and are told to recite things off of a sheet of paper that is given to you when you arrive. Memorize that sheet. Every night before bed my roommates and I studied for an hour or so along with studying at random parts of the day. With this amount of studying you should be ok as I was able to survive Also something you should do is bond with your squad mates from the get go. You're gonna need their support during sea trials and almost everything you do. And try to forge a bond with your squad leader so that when you get back home you can go to them for advice and help throughout the application process.
 
Thank you so much for the response! I am very much interested in USNA, and very excited to have been accepted to NASS. Is there any information you would give to someone about to attend NASS? I workout each day so that I can be physically prepared-very motivated. Besides taking the CFA during the session, are there any other notable activities that I should/can prepare for?

Much thanks in advance,,

A

Whether you're preparing for the CFA NASS or for I-day, work out every day, but alternate activities so you don't end up with stress-related injuries. Alternate running with biking or swimming. Alternate upper body exercises with lower body.

If you're in 2014 and you don't know how to swim, now is a good time to learn - if you have the opportunity. No worries if you can't. After I-day, you'll learn. (For 2015 NASS attendees, it won't matter.)

Great advice all through this thread.

Go Navy!
 
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