Interesting stuff. Advantage? I think so. :o

ESLGuy

5-Year Member
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Nov 16, 2012
Messages
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Well, I am an American citizen by birth, but after talking to me for a minute people notice my accent and believe me when I say I'm from Lithuania (haha). Here's some info:

*I want to minor in Russian at USNA.
*I am fluent in Lithuanian.
*I speak with a somewhat noticeable accent.
*Dad was enlisted (E-9) in Soviet Navy, born in Soviet Lithuania.
*Stepmom was born in Soviet Russia.

Technically, I am a white male, but how would this affect my application? I already know a little Russian, and I could do extremely well in a Russian class. I want to go into aviation or intell, and Russian would be good for intell, correct? I was told the background check would take longer, but how else would it change everything? Is any of this significant, or not very important?
 
I'm not going to lie about anything, I was making a point. I'm first generation american, but I think that just makes me american.
 
If the OP is asking whether being a first generation American and/or being able to speak Russian will help . . . possibly.

Being fluent in a language other than English is a plus but Russian isn't as important today as, say Chinese or Arabic. You should mention it. It might be a small bump. USNA likes a diverse brigade and you bring diversity, so that's good.

USNA does understand that first generation Americans can have some issues with language, etc. Thus, if English is not the language spoken in your home, you should inform your BGO as this could help explain, for example, a lower verbal SAT score, etc.
 
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I am not following this either unless it is just asking if speaking fluent Russian helps your chances. You are Caucasian, you are a native born U.S. Citizen, you must have listed on application where they ask about your background that you are 1st born generation here and that you speak fluent Russian.
 
If the OP is asking whether being a first generation American and/or being able to speak Russian will help . . . possibly.

Being fluent in a language other than English is a plus but Russian isn't as important today as, say Chinese or Arabic. You should mention it. It might be a small bump. USNA likes a diverse brigade and you bring diversity, so that's good.

USNA does understand that first generation Americans can have some issues with language, etc. Thus, if English is not the language spoken in your home, you should inform your BGO as this could help explain, for example, a lower verbal SAT score, etc.

Awww, now the U.S. has moved on? All that cold war stuff..

English isn't spoken at home, and at the moment my lowest grade is in Honors English II (it will be an A soon :) ) and I'm a sophmore, so I haven't taken the SAT/ACT yet. I plan on mentioning everything that could help. :)
 
my son speaks fluent Chinese with accent and all. However is only in 7th grade at the moment, took the act and got 20's (Yes 7th grade), 3 years to go to get him higher. Hasnt gotten less than a A+ (except Choir) daughter lived in Germany and speaks fluent German, we were told no value :( She is making the run for USNA right now. Both are so competitive its amazing.
 
There is some evidence that USNA does track first generation Americans, but as mentioned many times previously this should not be construed to mean anything more than there may be a marginal bump d/t your parents' Baltic background. The true focus will be on your academic achievements, ECA's, etc. Your ethnicity/linguistics could be big if you were in a very tight race with another candidate, just don't place too much weight on this circumstance. Most of your first two years at USNA will be dominated by math, science, and engineering which tend to be the same worldwide.
 
DS is a 1st generation from S. Korea. He was appointed last year and is a plebe at USNA. I'm not aware of his having any particular advantage or disadvantage due to his heritage. He speaks very, VERY little Korean, but took honors French in HS. My guess is that speaking Russian fluently might help, and your ethnic background wouldn't make all that much difference.
 
Advantage?

I am not sure you would be considered 'diverse' in terms of having any type of advantage. In the end, your leadership, grades, athletics, etc. will likely still carry the most weight.
Most applying have honors or AP courses with many or mostly As. So, think about what else you bring to the table. What are your leadership roles? Are you lettering in a sport or two? Community service?

I am a novice here, but I would think your family history would be interesting and knowing another language might help some...but not to an extreme degree. Then again, who really knows? As everyone keeps saying on this board, you can't be sure what will tip the scales in your favor.
Just keep working hard!
S
 
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