Application Questions

LakeErie69

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2012
Messages
104
I've got a few questions on the application before I go ahead and submit everything. I appreciate any feedback, thanks!

1. One of the sections states:"Please enter the Last Name, First Name, and Email Address of the High School Official from your Senior or Junior year for whom you want to fill out the USNA Candidate Academic Information Application on your behalf. "

Who exactly are we supposed to enter in for this? What exactly is the Candidate Academic Information that is going to be given from the person we select?


2. For the math teacher recommendation, would it be by any means acceptable to use a physics teacher, who also teaches math? Though I didn't have this teacher for a math class, AP Physics was very math intensive and she obviously knows I'm strong in math.

3. For the remarks in the activities section, is it acceptable to simply list other awards and clubs with explanations, or would it be better to write them out formally?


Thanks!
 
You'll want to give them the contact info for your academic advisor or someone else who has access to all of your school records. I'm not entirely sure what information they provide; I'd guess they give school information like how it ranks in the county/state, the graduation rate, and average test scores (so they can see how your school stacks up against others -- straight As from a bad school might not be as good as As and Bs from a good school). They might also be used to double-check any info you provide to the academy (grades, sports info, etc.).

For the math teacher recommendation, use your real math teacher. My high school math teacher was mediocre and I didn't learn anything at all, but I still went to her. For the math/science/english teacher recommendations, they're not looking for anything amazing, but rather just to see if you're competent and able to learn. If you have a great relationship with your physics teacher and did well, then go to her for one of the personal letters of recommendation (it's been a while, but you get three or so right?). Those are the letters that really make you shine.

I'm pretty sure there's a separate awards and accomplishments section where you can write down all your rewards, but if you don't see that in your application then I would just put it all down in the activities section.

Good luck!
 
You'll want to give them the contact info for your academic advisor or someone else who has access to all of your school records. I'm not entirely sure what information they provide; I'd guess they give school information like how it ranks in the county/state, the graduation rate, and average test scores (so they can see how your school stacks up against others -- straight As from a bad school might not be as good as As and Bs from a good school). They might also be used to double-check any info you provide to the academy (grades, sports info, etc.).

For the math teacher recommendation, use your real math teacher. My high school math teacher was mediocre and I didn't learn anything at all, but I still went to her. For the math/science/english teacher recommendations, they're not looking for anything amazing, but rather just to see if you're competent and able to learn. If you have a great relationship with your physics teacher and did well, then go to her for one of the personal letters of recommendation (it's been a while, but you get three or so right?). Those are the letters that really make you shine.

I'm pretty sure there's a separate awards and accomplishments section where you can write down all your rewards, but if you don't see that in your application then I would just put it all down in the activities section.

Good luck!

There actually only needs to be a recommendation from an English teacher and Math teacher from Junior or Senior year when doing the application online. For the nominations it varies, but I know for mine I need three from any person who knows me well.

There's only one section in the activities page called "additional remarks" where you're supposed to put down additional remarks to a few different parts above it.
 
2. For the math teacher recommendation, would it be by any means acceptable to use a physics teacher, who also teaches math? Though I didn't have this teacher for a math class, AP Physics was very math intensive and she obviously knows I'm strong in math.

USNA is very clear on this....it MUST be your math teacher and NOT any science teacher, there are very few circumstances where this is waived.

On that note, I HIGHLY suggest you find out all the requirements from your MOCs, as well, and then decide who needs to writer letters of recommendation, who needs to fill out which paper work, etc. etc. then go to each person with what they need to do. In other words, it is better that you go to each person only once....you want to avoid tasking them multiple times over the summer/school year.
 
USNA is very clear on this....it MUST be your math teacher and NOT any science teacher, there are very few circumstances where this is waived.

On that note, I HIGHLY suggest you find out all the requirements from your MOCs, as well, and then decide who needs to writer letters of recommendation, who needs to fill out which paper work, etc. etc. then go to each person with what they need to do. In other words, it is better that you go to each person only once....you want to avoid tasking them multiple times over the summer/school year.

Okay thank you for clearing that up.
 
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