When should I send in my application?

Born-To-Fly_024

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Apr 29, 2008
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43
Hello,
I had a few questions about the timing of your application. I took the SAT back in January and received 570 math and 590 CR. I take it again May 1st and I've been preparing so hopefully those scores will be in the mid 600's. Additionally, I hope to begin my Eagle Scout project soon so that I can complete it before I apply to the academy. My question is: when should I send in my application to the academy? Should I wait until I get better test scores (if I do bad on the May 1 SAT)? and should I wait until I get my Eagle Scout?

I guess my main concern is should I wait until I have everything looking sharp before I turn in my application? I want to get it in early so I have a chance for a LOA, but I don't want to look crappy when I turn it in. What should I do?
 
Send your application in and continuously update the academy with any new scores or significant achievements.
 
One of the mistakes prospects make is to wait too long to apply or to send in their information. You need to get time on your side instead of delaying your actions. Get your application in and update as new information becomes available! The same will be true with your official packet information - start getting your information compiled and submitted as early as possible and keep it updated. Last year this area had FOUR candidates with Letters of Assurance (LOA's) in hand BY THE START OF THEIR SENIOR YEAR; i.e., by the end of the first week in September. They all are reporting to USNA on I-day. There are too many prospects and candidates who want to "game" the system, and many of them end up gaming themselves out of the running. Now is not the time to be cute. I you really want an appointment to a SA, start doing the work and get it done early rather than late.
 
How would this apply to son accepted to NASS? When should he add to or update info? How is this done? He hasn't received any thing following payment made online and returning paperwork.
 
How would this apply to son accepted to NASS? When should he add to or update info? How is this done? He hasn't received any thing following payment made online and returning paperwork.

WestTexasmom, I received my NASS confimation letter today. So your son should receive this letter very shortly! :smile:
 
Thanks NorCalGirl! Does it tell you how to log in to the candidate site and update info?
 
Thanks NorCalGirl! Does it tell you how to log in to the candidate site and update info?

I just received my confirmation letter and it does not include any official candidate information. All the letter states is that it must be brought with you in order to get past the security gate.
 
Generally the NASS participants will receive their access numbers and information in late May or June... usually before the other prospective candidates. In the meantime, it would be prudent to advise your guidance counselor that you are interested in and have applied to a SA and start working on the information you will need for your file. You may want to have a parent or two along to confirm that you are serious. It will be very important that your counselor understands the important role he/she will be playing in your candidacy. Also, be aware that in many instances school firewalls block incoming email correspondence; it would be wise for your counselor and your math and English teachers to provide an alternate address to USNA.
 
I just received my confirmation letter and it does not include any official candidate information. All the letter states is that it must be brought with you in order to get past the security gate.

Three years ago (!!!), my daughter receeived two separate letters. As jtoye wrote, the first letter was only meant to notify her of her NASS assignment. She was also instructed to bring the NASS letter with her. (You'll also need a driver's license pr other state-issued photo ID, as will anyone 16 or over who wants to go onto the Yard).

My daughter received a completely separate letter that notified her of her status as an official USNA candidate. That letter gave the the info necessary to log into the candidate information system (CIS). I believe that she received that letter in the April-May timeframe.
 
Hello,
I had a few questions about the timing of your application. I took the SAT back in January and received 570 math and 590 CR. I take it again May 1st and I've been preparing so hopefully those scores will be in the mid 600's. Additionally, I hope to begin my Eagle Scout project soon so that I can complete it before I apply to the academy. My question is: when should I send in my application to the academy? Should I wait until I get better test scores (if I do bad on the May 1 SAT)? and should I wait until I get my Eagle Scout?

I guess my main concern is should I wait until I have everything looking sharp before I turn in my application? I want to get it in early so I have a chance for a LOA, but I don't want to look crappy when I turn it in. What should I do?

My advice is to slow down and start pulling the parts of your application together but not submit anything at this time. Unless something has changed that i am unaware of the first admissions boards for the class of 2015 do not meet until early September. There is no point in submitting your application early just to be early.
 
Generally the NASS participants will receive their access numbers and information in late May or June... usually before the other prospective candidates. In the meantime, it would be prudent to advise your guidance counselor that you are interested in and have applied to a SA and start working on the information you will need for your file. You may want to have a parent or two along to confirm that you are serious. It will be very important that your counselor understands the important role he/she will be playing in your candidacy. Also, be aware that in many instances school firewalls block incoming email correspondence; it would be wise for your counselor and your math and English teachers to provide an alternate address to USNA.


Extremely sound advice. Just to elaborate a bit further for those just beginning the process. USNA is going to ask for recommendations from your 11th grade English and Math teachers. Specifically, they will want these teacher's email addresses. USNA will email them with a form to fill out. Many schools firewalls do not allow email from USNA. Ours did not. Had to ask teachers for personal emails to have USNA use. You, the candidate, will receive an email when USNA has received a completed rec form from these teachers. USNA will also contact your school's counselor and registrar as well with another form to fill out. Concerning class size, numbers of kids who go on to 4 year college, number attending SA's, etc. Again, may need to seek out personal email address.

We talk on here about recommendations, and I am always afraid candidates are going to go to the teachers and ask for letters. But it is a form USNA sends them to fill out on-line. You will likely need letters for MOC's. The seeking of a nomination from a MOC is an entire separate process. Each MOC is unique in how they want this done. Some want letters, others have evaluation forms for recommenders to fill out.....some want it all delivered in one package, some want the recommenders to send letters directly to them. Get each set of instructions (generally from MOC website, often under a heading such as constituent services), start a pile (we had a whole big table in an unused room with all of this ongoing) for each MOC, post deadlines in a prominent place and get after it!

Get your SA application complete first. Go ahead and start gathering info for MOC's, but most of their deadlines are October. And there is no advantage to submitting early. Most of them won't look at applications until after the deadline. While the SA's have rolling admissions, so there is a distinct advantage to getting the completed application in front of the
Admissions Board ASAP.
 
as always sound advice from jenny, thanks. NASS acceptance and candidate numbers are separate letters, most correspondance will be.

I'll add this to the process advice. Although you don't need to get the applications in early, don't wait to start getting things together, print out the applications, SA's, MOC's (when they become available), talk to your teachers before the summer break about your intentions (they're difficult to contact in the middle of summer), notify your BGO (although they are likely to tell you to wait until your application process is well under way). Start talking to the people around you, family and friends. Their support along this journey will be invaluable as time goes on.

Fill out the applications in pencil. Write any required essays or letters early. Put them down, live life, re-read your essays and ask yourself if it's what you want to say or thought you needed to say. Is this what I want people to think of me? Have someone else read it and honestly critique it. Will the other letters of recommendation reflect what I've written here? This self reflection process is not an easy or quick one. This summer won't be like last summer (or next summer if all goes to plan). It will feel like work.

I've read a few posts about the applicant that couldn't go to the doctors appointment, or to an SA forum, or to CVW because of their field hockey, or track meet, or football game "'cause the coach doesn't allow that". Think long and hard about your priorities. Are you willing to sit on the side lines for the next game because you missed the last game for this chance of a life time? My advice is to follow your own priorities and decide what's important. That single event won't get you in either, but may speak to your priorities in life.

As I researched the requirements of the application process (as clearly as they are all outlined) my head nearly popped until I made a list of the various things itemized that needed to get done, the order they needed to get done, the timing of them, and checked them off as they got done. This is only the mechanics of it. But it may help to ensure things are getting done when they need to get done. But don't wait for deadlines. There's a saying that applies here, "If you're early you're on time; if you're on time you're late; and if you're late, you're forgotten". It doesn't help to be too early though.

The candidate must be strengthening their applications as they go, your standing as a junior only got you noticed, it won't get you in. As has been said before keep taking the various tests, study more, continue or join school clubs of interest. Try out for school athletic teams if you are not already involved (although it's better to have an established sports record [not records] it's not essential. What's important is to stretch and reach for higher goals, not more goals (ie, it's been said that too many short term extracurricular is not as strong as having something you like and have pursued for a number of years). But stretching your interests and abilities, demonstrating the commitment to community service, service to others, is critical.

The application process is an ongoing and continued process. It will last a while. Which part gets higher "scores"? None of them, some of them, all of them. There are, or rumored to be, percentage point for the whole person score, but I think is may be distracting to put too much emphasis on trying to hit those marks. It's not you and it will show. The process is designed to reveal you, the real you. Make your application the best it can be for you.
 
USNA is going to ask for recommendations from your 11th grade English and Math teachers.
I'd like to first say that I've found all of your posts very informative and I appreciate your contributions to this site.

May I have some clarification on the above quote from one of your recent posts? Are the 11th grade English & Math teachers the only teacher recommendations the USNA will accept? Seems as if an 11th grade Science teacher would offer as much insight as an English teacher.
 
May I have some clarification on the above quote from one of your recent posts? Are the 11th grade English & Math teachers the only teacher recommendations the USNA will accept? Seems as if an 11th grade Science teacher would offer as much insight as an English teacher.

There was a detailed thread in the last cycle of applications.....like in the fall of 2008 maybe where people were asking "What about my 10th grade English, she likes me better" or "How about my Physics teacher...." Anyway, USNA1985 provided a clear explanation of why USNA prefers 11th grade English and Math. I will see if I can find the thread......
 
There's a thread on September 8, 2009 on English teacher recs that addresses this in a bit more detail. I am not savvy enough to know how to post the link!
 
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.

I submitted this post in a previous thread regarding my application timeline - Hope this info can be useful to those who are beginning the application process.
Good Luck!
 
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