Advice on USNA

jct95

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2012
Messages
172
Hi everyone,
I've been lurking this forum for quite a while, and to state the obvious I have just recently joined.

My goal in life is to serve in NSW, in particular as a SEAL Operator (SO) but we'll talk about that later. I applied to the Academy via the Pre-lim application, and I was accepted as an Official Candidate for the class of 2017. I'm going to speak to my Blue and Gold Officer as soon as I can (preferably Monday) and check with my school guidance counselor as well. In addition to that, I applied for a Congressional Nomination. My meeting is coming up on December 8th. Am I too late? Or am I 'allright'? I know I need to talk to my BGO, finish the app, and hopefully get a nomination - at the moment should I worry about anything else?

It's just I have several questions, if you guys could help me by answering them it would be greatly appreciated.

- First off, I know that by making Official Candidate - I have made an improvement. Obviously, it's not drastic - but it is one step closer. Do you know how many applicants are given Official Candidate Status every year (and how many applicants there are)?
- By being an Official Candidate, I met the Academic requirements - does this mean that the scholastic/academic aspect of the review won't be 'as' hard? In other words, obviously my academics/activities will play a part - but should I worry about it as much?
- I've read the stats that someone had posted on here, and they had shown that those who complete the application and receive a nomination are something like 70% more likely to receive a nomination...is there any truth to this?
- I want to complete the official application as quick as humanly possible it's just I'm in a bit of what some might call a 'predicament'. I just took the SAT's this past weekend (Nov. 17th) - they were delayed because of Hurricane Sandy. My question is - should I finish the application as quick as humanly possible? Or should I wait the extra two weeks for the scores?
- I mentioned earlier, it is a personal goal to serve a US Navy SEAL...for example, If I am denied by the Naval Academy I will most likely DEP with a SEAL Challenge Contract. Obviously, this is no guarantee of success but it is a goal of mine. The question is how much of a difference does this play in the nomination interview or (hopefully) down the line the BGO interview? If I stress how I want to serve in the Navy (in particular as a NSW Operator) could it help me or hurt me? And do most people know what they want to do?
- and finally, does the Academy and the various Congressmen/women take 'personal struggles' ,so to speak,into consideration...for example, death in the family, divorce, etc, etc.

Thank you, if you guys could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. You guys are great. And good luck to all other Candidates!
 
My meeting is coming up on December 8th. Am I too late? Or am I 'allright'? I know I need to talk to my BGO, finish the app, and hopefully get a nomination - at the moment should I worry about anything else?

You have until Jan. 31 to complete your USNA application. MOCs run their own deadlines, so can't answer that. You want to get 50% of your application in asap so you'll be scheduled for a medical exam. You do have beyond Jan. 31 to complete that.

Do you know how many applicants are given Official Candidate Status every year (and how many applicants there are)?

Not sure but a lot. It's a minimum standard to continue your application.

By being an Official Candidate, I met the Academic requirements

Uh, no. You meet a minimum to let you proceed. Many official candidates are turned down for "scholastic" reasons, which includes academics.

In other words, obviously my academics/activities will play a part - but should I worry about it as much?

In a word, yes. Not "worry." But the real screening is the Admissions Board; it is not becoming an official candidate.

those who complete the application and receive a nomination are something like 70% more likely to receive a nomination...is there any truth to this?

It used to be that those who were triple qualified (medical, CFA, scholastic) and had a nom had a 70% chance. I think the odds are a bit lower now due to smaller class size. Still, they are pretty good but some of that depends on where you live.

My question is - should I finish the application as quick as humanly possible? Or should I wait the extra two weeks for the scores?

Submit what you have now.

If I stress how I want to serve in the Navy (in particular as a NSW Operator) could it help me or hurt me? And do most people know what they want to do?

Interest and motivation are important. However, there is no benefit (to me at least) in someone who wants to be a SEAL vs. someone who wants to be an aviator or submariner or Marine or . . . it's all important. And, some know what they want to do and some don't . Not knowing isn't a negative as long as you have an interest in becoming a USN or USMC officer.

does the Academy and the various Congressmen/women take 'personal struggles' ,so to speak,into consideration...for example, death in the family, divorce, etc, etc.

USNA does consider it. But realize that many young people have some sort of "struggle" in their life. It CAN help explain certain deficiencies in your record. However, I know of candidates who have had legitimate issues that affected their performance and it made no (positive) difference in their application.
 
You have until Jan. 31 to complete your USNA application. MOCs run their own deadlines, so can't answer that. You want to get 50% of your application in asap so you'll be scheduled for a medical exam. You do have beyond Jan. 31 to complete that.



Not sure but a lot. It's a minimum standard to continue your application.



Uh, no. You meet a minimum to let you proceed. Many official candidates are turned down for "scholastic" reasons, which includes academics.



In a word, yes. Not "worry." But the real screening is the Admissions Board; it is not becoming an official candidate.



It used to be that those who were triple qualified (medical, CFA, scholastic) and had a nom had a 70% chance. I think the odds are a bit lower now due to smaller class size. Still, they are pretty good but some of that depends on where you live.



Submit what you have now.



Interest and motivation are important. However, there is no benefit (to me at least) in someone who wants to be a SEAL vs. someone who wants to be an aviator or submariner or Marine or . . . it's all important. And, some know what they want to do and some don't . Not knowing isn't a negative as long as you have an interest in becoming a USN or USMC officer.



USNA does consider it. But realize that many young people have some sort of "struggle" in their life. It CAN help explain certain deficiencies in your record. However, I know of candidates who have had legitimate issues that affected their performance and it made no (positive) difference in their application.

Thank you for getting back to me that quickly. In regards to being scholastically qualified, what would that entail? A solid GPA, relatively high SAT scores, and participating in an activity in or outside of school?

(And I know I asked about 'personal struggles', and it was very vague. In my case, my parents went through a divorce all throughout my years in high school.)
 
Scholastic qualification is a combination of academics, leadership and sports. Academics include class rank, courses taken, SAT/ACT scores and teacher recs. Leadership is what you've done -- it can be holding office or just leading a project. Sports is self-explanatory.

Unfortunately, divorce is all too common. If your parents' situation has had an impact on your high school life, be sure to discuss this with your BGO.
 
Scholastic qualification is a combination of academics, leadership and sports. Academics include class rank, courses taken, SAT/ACT scores and teacher recs. Leadership is what you've done -- it can be holding office or just leading a project. Sports is self-explanatory.

Unfortunately, divorce is all too common. If your parents' situation has had an impact on your high school life, be sure to discuss this with your BGO.

There's a lot more that has to do with divorce that I don't feel very comfortable talking about on an open message board.

As far as SAT scores, what scores would be appropriate enough to deem one academically qualified?
 
I don't mean to minimize divorce. One of the reasons for the BGO interview is for candidates to discuss (to the extent they feel comfortable doing so) personal issues that may have had an impact on their high school lives/performance. There certainly can be such issues due to divorce and for other reasons.

GENERALLY, a 600/600 SAT is considered ok. I've seen candidates admitted with slightly lower scores and seen kids with 700/700+ turned down. Scores are important but not all that's important.
 
I don't mean to minimize divorce. One of the reasons for the BGO interview is for candidates to discuss (to the extent they feel comfortable doing so) personal issues that may have had an impact on their high school lives/performance. There certainly can be such issues due to divorce and for other reasons.

GENERALLY, a 600/600 SAT is considered ok. I've seen candidates admitted with slightly lower scores and seen kids with 700/700+ turned down. Scores are important but not all that's important.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I should send in what I have at the moment, and two weeks later when I have my new SAT scores - I'll submit them to the Academy.

And is it possible for a Candidate to become a midshipman without being Academically qualified? (Someone online said it, not me)
 
"If I am denied by the Naval Academy I will most likely DEP with a SEAL challenge contract."

So being a SEAL is your priority, right? Whether you are an officer or enlisted doesn't make any difference, correct?
 
And is it possible for a Candidate to become a midshipman without being Academically qualified? (Someone online said it, not me)

In order to receive an offer of appointment to USNA you must be triple-qualified - academic, medical, and physical all up to snuff. However, if there is a particular lack of academic strengths on an otherwise competitive application, there is a possibility you can be offered a position at NAPS or a Foundation program that would lead to an additional year of studies prior to entry to the Academy proper.
 
In order to receive an offer of appointment to USNA you must be triple-qualified - academic, medical, and physical all up to snuff. However, if there is a particular lack of academic strengths on an otherwise competitive application, there is a possibility you can be offered a position at NAPS or a Foundation program that would lead to an additional year of studies prior to entry to the Academy proper.

I'd you are deemed academically qualified, I'm assuming they will let you know - if you're not deemed academically qualified what happens then?

And as far as sending in my application, I'm assuming I should do that as quick as humanly possible - and later send In my SAT scores. Does that sound right? Thanks.
 
And quick question, how quick can they get back to you after sending in the application?
 
For the REALLY basic questions you are asking, it would also be good to read and understand the official USNA website's application process steps as well as the posted answers to common questions at the top of this forum. The same basic questions get asked each year and apply to all applicants.

Every candidate needs to understand how the process works and take the initiative to do their own research to understand what all is involved in applying.
 
For the REALLY basic questions you are asking, it would also be good to read and understand the official USNA website's application process steps as well as the posted answers to common questions at the top of this forum. The same basic questions get asked each year and apply to all applicants.

Every candidate needs to understand how the process works and take the initiative to do their own research to understand what all is involved in applying.

I understand, and I apologize.

As fas the CIS, unfortunately I can't sign in. I'm using the issued sn/password but as I said I can't sign in. Does this happen often? From what I have read, the server goes down at times.
 
Try doing a couple of things. First, go to usna.edu and search under Admissions. There's a lot of great info there.

Second, read the stickies posted above. It may answer some of your questions as well.

If you can't get into CIS by tomorrow, contact your RD.
 
I understand, and I apologize.

As fas the CIS, unfortunately I can't sign in. I'm using the issued sn/password but as I said I can't sign in. Does this happen often? From what I have read, the server goes down at times.

USNA posted on Facebook this morning that they are having technical difficulties with the CIS and will be working on it tomorrow.
 
USNA posted on Facebook this morning that they are having technical difficulties with the CIS and will be working on it tomorrow.

Ok, cool, in regards to the application - is it necessary for me to take the CFA prior? Or could I take the CFA later? Thanks.
 
Going back to a previous question; You said your plan B if no appointment is to go the Delayed Entry Program and then SEALS. That sounds like your overall goal is to be a SEAL, enlisted or officer-----either one but SEALS only, right?
 
You have until March 1 to complete the CFA. However, the overwhelming majority of candidates complete it prior to that date. Unless you expect to fail, get it over with now.
 
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