Is it looked down upon to only want to attend one SA?

USNA '16

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My dream is to attend the NA, and as a junior this coming school year I am so excited to begin applying. However, I have fear : USNA is the only service academy I wish to attend. That isn't neccessarily my fear. It is just that I am worried that it will be frowned upon that USNA is the only service academy I want to go to. I understand I may sound a bit irrational, lol.
 
My dream is to attend the NA, and as a junior this coming school year I am so excited to begin applying. However, I have fear : USNA is the only service academy I wish to attend. That isn't neccessarily my fear. It is just that I am worried that it will be frowned upon that USNA is the only service academy I want to go to. I understand I may sound a bit irrational, lol.

I'm confused you say you have a fear, then you say no I don't have a fear; that it's a worry. My question is who are you "worried" about "frowning upon you" for only wanting to go to USNA??
 
I apologize for the confusion. I am worried that the admissions board may think I am not serious about my wanting a miltary career because I only want to attend the NA. I fear they won't take my application as seriously as someone who has applied to the CGA and USAFA.
 
I apologize for the confusion. I am worried that the admissions board may think I am not serious about my wanting a miltary career because I only want to attend the NA. I fear they won't take my application as seriously as someone who has applied to the CGA and USAFA.

The Admissions Board at the academy will evaluate you as a candidate for the Naval Academy. They will not care (or maybe not aware) that you are applying to any other academy. It will not make any difference.

The senators or congressman will also not care.

However, by applying for more than one, it certainly DOES increase your chances of getting accepted into one of them.

My sons, both of whom are currently midshipmen, only applied to the Naval Academy.

When I was applying in the early 70's, I was under the OPPOSITE (and equally mistaken) impression as you. I thought, by applying to more than one academy, the Naval Academy would think I was not totally dedicated to come to THEIR school. I thought my chances were better by ONLY applying to the Naval Academy.

If you are willing to attend USMA or USAFA if you do not get into USNA, then you should also apply to them.
 
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I'm only applying to USNA. Quite frankly I'm not worried at all. My end goal is to commission in the USMC (and would be more than happy with Navy if I didn't get selected). So why would I go to any other service academy? To me it's all about the commission, not the school. IMHO USNA would be the best route towards that commission. But I'd rather go through NROTC, PLC, or OCS to gain that commission than go to another SA and not be happy with the branch.

Some people choose the academies for all the wrong reasons (i.e location, size, etc.). The academy is four years of your life, your commission at a minimum will be FIVE. Makes far more sense to choose an academy based off the service rather than the school. I'm not saying that choosing more than one academy is wrong, instead I'm trying to show you that choosing one isn't bad.

If you only want to serve on boats, it doesn't make sense to join the AF does it?

"I am worried that the admissions board may think I am not serious about my wanting a miltary career "

I doubt USNA takes into consideration the fact that your only applying to USNA. If anyone takes this into consideration it might be the nominating source. And you maybe asked why you aren't applying to other academies. Somone I know who is going to be attending NAPS in my district, was asked why he hadn't applied to anyother service academy except USNA.

Easy to answer. I'm applying to NROTC-Marine Option so it shows that it isn't just about the Naval Academy. And if asked I'll also explain that if not chosen for either I will go the PLC/OCS route. In the end it's the commission I want. It's just that IMHO I think that USNA would offer me the best experience.
 
It is my understanding from my DS interview process that they will ask you if you would be willing to accept an appointment to any other SA. His reply was" No i am only interested in USNA". Did that help who is to know did it hurt I would say no -it shows you have researched all of the academies and know the path you plan to take. Just be sure if you stand up for one over another you know what you are talking about.
 
However, by applying for more than one, it certainly DOES increase your chances of getting accepted into one of them.

But may decrease the odds of your getting into your first choice SA -- especially if you're in a competitive district/state. Here's how it works. Let's say, hypothetically, that USNA is your first choice, USMA second, and USAFA third. You apply to all 3. Your MOCs ask you to choose or to rank your SAs. Let's say you choose USNA for one MOC, USAFA for the second, and USMA for the third. You only get a nom to USAFA. Guess where you're headed?

It's not a question of the SAs, it's a question of getting the nom. That's why I say, if you'd be perfectly happy at more than one SA, you may want to "split" your noms. If you have a preference -- especially a strong preference -- you should put all of your eggs in one basket.

Two caveats . . . this obviously doesn't apply to USCGA because it doesn't require noms. Also, if you live in a less competitive state/district, your MOC may give you noms to multiple SAs and this definitely increases your chances of getting into one.

It is my understanding from my DS interview process that they will ask you if you would be willing to accept an appointment to any other SA. His reply was" No i am only interested in USNA". Did that help who is to know did it hurt I would say no -it shows you have researched all of the academies and know the path you plan to take.

It doesn't necessarily help or hurt. Per my comments above, the MOC may have more candidates than slots for one SA or may have an imbalance of applicants for one SA. So you could be in a situation where the MOC would give you a nom to SA#2 (your second choice) but not SA#1 (your first choice). In this case, saying "no" on SA#2 may mean you'll get no nom. Or, it could be that the MOC is just testing the waters, so to speak. The MOC may have a number of folks who only want SA#1. If you'd be happy with SA#2, the MOC may give you that nom, so more people are happy. Or, it may be that, if you say you'll only take SA#1, the MOC will give you that nom because you're super competitive.

As you can see, it's a crazy system and, in most cases, you won't know what the MOC (well, his/her nom committee) is thinking when you're asked the question. They really don't care what decision you've made (one SA or happy at >1). They're simply trying to fill too few slots with too many applicants and trying to make as many as possible as happy as possible. Which . . .

Brings me back to the advice above. IF you would be truly happy (NO regrets) at more than one SA, then say so. If you have a preference, then go with that. The worst thing is to end up at a SA that you don't really want to attend -- I've had that happen to candidates in the past and it really didn't go well.:rolleyes:
 
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