College Student Reapplicant

pugilist231

New Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2015
Messages
6
Hey guys, question for you.

I'm currently a college freshman in my first Semester at a Cal State. I applied to the USNA last year as a high school senior, got nominated, but didn't receive an appointment. As of now I have finished every part of my reapplication possible, the only outstanding documents are my first/second semester college transcripts. My first semester transcripts won't be available until at the earliest December but most likely January. Consequently, my portal shows my application as incomplete and says that my application can't be reviewed until complete. Will the admissions board even look at me unless my transcripts are in? My BGO says that conditional LOA's are given to college students and fulfilled if our transcripts meet the requirements; however, the admissions FAQ's says college candidates won't be reviewed until transcripts are in...so I'm a little confused. Any ideas as to what's up?

Thanks in advance!
 
The FAQ page is correct. I have heard of some college students receiving LOAs (can't comment on the reason), however many do not receive one. Also, you are in the same boat as other first-time college re-applicants...they normally don't begin reviewing college candidates until February. Don't sweat it if all your other documents are submitted and definitely do not lose sleep on the LOA.

Your BGO might have been referring to the high school transcript.
 
There is certainly no guarantee of getting an appointment as a college student the second time around. It sounds like that is what your BGO told you which is incorrect or you misunderstood what he/she said. I would instead focus on how to improve your resume since the first time around you didn't get an appointment (much less an LOA).
 
My DD was a college reapplicant and is now part of the Class of 2019. She received an LOA dated 9 Feb. Her appointment was contingent on the update of the DODMERB form. The LOA and DODMERB form crossed in the mail; she had been out of the country most of January and so didn't get it updated earlier.
 
Heed to counsel of bgo08 and time2....and I would add from personal experience, that college re-applicants are historically some of the last candidates to be looked at for the very reason that's already been noted....they have to have your first semester grades in hand and for many colleges you can't get those until January sometime. (believe it or not, this includes those that received appointments the previous year and were medically DQ'd. They weren't looked at until late February).... Don't sweat the LOA, it's distraction.

You've got over month of classes remaining...and assuming you're taking those courses that closely mirror those of the Plebe year (I hope you are!)
strive to finish strong because so much will be predicated on those classes and how well you're doing in them. You've got everything completed you say so let go of the things you can't control and put all your energies into those things you can. (Did you also retake SAT's or ACT's in the event your scores weren't that competitive? You can still do that.)

Remember also that you will have started your second semester by the time you hear anything but don't take your foot off the petal because they WILL want to see those second semester grades at some juncture.

At the end of the day, the waiting is and will continue to be difficult and will test you. Don't wish the time away as it will come. Immerse yourself in all you're involved in, enjoy and have a little fun.

I wish you well in your pursuit.
 
I believe in CatCasher's instance, the board might have found her scholastically qualified (once college transcript was in hand) and when USNA decided to offer her an appointment, they could not because of the DODMERB issue. As such, if you are medically and physically qualified and you have not received an LOA prior to around mid-January, you probably won't receive one...as they will either offer you an appointment or turndown. I agree with Sydney C...thinking about an LOA is a distraction.
 
Application complete other than first semester transcripts. I know admissions doesn't look at re applicants until after first semester is over, but since my transcript isn't in yet does that hurt my application? Also, can re applicants expect to hear back about appointments later than everyone else?
 
but since my transcript isn't in yet does that hurt my application?
Also, can re applicants expect to hear back about appointments later than everyone else?

1. No it does not because they don't have all the information necessary to evaluate your application.
2. Historically, not always.
 
Hello, just wanted to get some advice on reapplication to USNA. DS's first time for Class2020. Appears pretty strong with congressional nomination. #30 class of 200, 4.50 GPA weighted and 4.0 unweighted, repeated CFA x 4 with better scores each time, SAT's at 1500 for math and other required, 2200 overall. Unfortunately only is an Eagle Scout and Drum Major, and Squad Leader so no other leadership in HS which will kill chances. He is fully prepared to keep applying for 4 more years until he is 23! Plan B attending Texas A&M in Corps, making sure he takes all plebe courses for first year at A&M and hitting Corps hard for leadership posts. Any words of wisdom and if and when he gets in after A&M graduation, will they take a 22 year old with a degree?

Thanks and Go Navy!
 
Nice to hear that re-applying is part of his Plan B. I applied 3 times (means 2 years of college) and in a gross miscarriage of justice (according to my Plebe summer detailer), the Admissions Board let me in. His academic plan is good and follows exactly what the Academy wants, however, and this is only my personal opinion, I would highly discourage him from joining the Corps at Texas A&M. Not because it is a bad road or anything against the Aggie Corps but to go through TWO plebe years is too much. If he wants to go A&M or any other SMC, he should make that his chosen path and kiss USNA goodbye because he has an equally rigorous military education ahead of him. I can assure you he will not get any leadership opportunities as a Fish any more than a USNA Plebe gets leadership opportunities which is below zero. In the leadership lab of both schools the first year is taking orders and following them.......ask any Plebe. The only thing that leads is their nose.

Two Plebe years is not only incredible misery and needless stress but counterproductive. Nothing more is learned after the first Plebe year as the individual now has the values, knowledge, and behaviors that the institution wants for them to move on to the next stages of becoming an officer. It is time to move up. Repeating it is meaningless and terrible for a young man's morale because the guys he bonded with initially and who are looking forward to the future together, your son would now leave. He would put on another uniform and do it all over again and I would bet cold cash he would be burned out and his attitude would well show it. I saw exactly this phenomena in a classmate of mine who was a great friend but after a military boarding school and a Plebe year, he was sick of rank and the military and to our regret, he bailed out his Youngster year.

Actually, this all may well be a moot point as usually after a first year at a SMC, the young man usually voluntarily dumps any thoughts of a service academy and after his SMC graduation he wants to get on to the business of driving tanks or flying airplanes or whatever fired him up to be an officer in the first place.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with his high school leadership. But if he is concerned about this, there are FAR more organizations he can shine in at a civilian college.
 
Wow, didn't realize the Aggie Corps was more like plebe year than plebe year! Son is dead set on USNA! Others have also said to just take plebe courses and search out leadership positions in regular college organizations. Hopes to make himself stronger candidate for Class of 2021-2024! Former Admiral went to his high school and BGO hold no hope for appointment, said Class of 2024 best spot to shoot for!

Thanks for the reply, attempting to dissuade him from corps in college and focus on leadership and plebe courses.

Go Navy!
 
@Class2020Dad, I agree with Spud, but I will add that your son might consider a prep school (Greystone, NMMI, etc) instead of A & M if he is determined to reapply to USNA.

My daughter is also aiming for USNA (one nom so far, no word from senators yet), but she's also been offered an appointment at VMI. She knows she'd go "all-in" at VMI, so trying to reapply from there would be even harder than while in high school - and pretty much pointless as VMI (like A&M), offers the same outcome as USNA.

My DD's done a lot soul searching while waiting to hear from USNA, as I'm sure all applicants do.

Good luck to your son!
 
Thanks for the advice, thought preps were only eligible through admissions board referral. Greystone is 45 minutes from our home. Will check into this one. Good luck to your DD! Thanks
 
Thanks for the advice, thought preps were only eligible through admissions board referral. Greystone is 45 minutes from our home. Will check into this one. Good luck to your DD! Thanks

I believe it can be offered as a scholarship, but your son could also consider going as a "self-prep" (meaning on your own dime), if he is determined to reapply. Soul search: reapply or go with an SMC?
 
Looks like Greystone is the same tuition as A&M. He does have a full ride at A&M with his National Hispanic Scholarship and other scholarships so he may just go there and take all the plebe courses offered without the Corps. He is dead set on USNA! Thanks for the input, it is appreciated!

Go Navy!
 
Nice to hear that re-applying is part of his Plan B. I applied 3 times (means 2 years of college) and in a gross miscarriage of justice (according to my Plebe summer detailer), the Admissions Board let me in. His academic plan is good and follows exactly what the Academy wants, however, and this is only my personal opinion, I would highly discourage him from joining the Corps at Texas A&M. Not because it is a bad road or anything against the Aggie Corps but to go through TWO plebe years is too much. If he wants to go A&M or any other SMC, he should make that his chosen path and kiss USNA goodbye because he has an equally rigorous military education ahead of him. I can assure you he will not get any leadership opportunities as a Fish any more than a USNA Plebe gets leadership opportunities which is below zero. In the leadership lab of both schools the first year is taking orders and following them.......ask any Plebe. The only thing that leads is their nose.

Two Plebe years is not only incredible misery and needless stress but counterproductive. Nothing more is learned after the first Plebe year as the individual now has the values, knowledge, and behaviors that the institution wants for them to move on to the next stages of becoming an officer. It is time to move up. Repeating it is meaningless and terrible for a young man's morale because the guys he bonded with initially and who are looking forward to the future together, your son would now leave. He would put on another uniform and do it all over again and I would bet cold cash he would be burned out and his attitude would well show it. I saw exactly this phenomena in a classmate of mine who was a great friend but after a military boarding school and a Plebe year, he was sick of rank and the military and to our regret, he bailed out his Youngster year.

Actually, this all may well be a moot point as usually after a first year at a SMC, the young man usually voluntarily dumps any thoughts of a service academy and after his SMC graduation he wants to get on to the business of driving tanks or flying airplanes or whatever fired him up to be an officer in the first place.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with his high school leadership. But if he is concerned about this, there are FAR more organizations he can shine in at a civilian college.

My DS will be going to TAMU now that he has received a denial from USNA. His plan has been to be in the Corps and sign a contract for NROTC as a junior if his reapplication to USNA doesn't get accepted for the class of 2021. As I understand it, signing for NROTC after two years wouldn't be possible if you weren't in the corps to begin with. Do I misunderstand this?
 
I am sorry but I do not know the answer to that. You would have to call TAMU for clarification.
 
Thanks. He will be meeting with them next week. Lots of questions.
 
Hi--

I promised myself I wouldn't go back to this forum after having read many comments from the many years I have applied-- this is my fourth-time reapplying. After checking my portal this year, it says "pending review," so I am hoping for the best. I would like to share my experiences below for those reapplying:

In high school, I didn't have a competitive ACT score when I competed for a spot in the Class of 2017. I graduated top 5% in my class with a 3.94 GPA and have held many leadership roles (Cadet Company Officer, Club President, Captain) in many clubs, Naval JROTC and cross-country. Additionally, I had participated in many activities such as sailing, swimming, and have volunteered. However, I wasn't competitive and was rejected that year.

For my second-time around, I made a decision to attend Northwestern Preparatory School in Crestline, California as a free agent. Though I had studied very hard, it still wasn't enough to get in. I heard the Class of 2018 was also another competitive year.

As for my third-time reapplying, I decided I wanted to give ROTC an option, so I went to a University in Chicago for that purpose and to major in Electrical Engineering (EE). During my first "real" year in College, I didn't do too well academically because of my major, having taken 20 credits, and doing too many activities on campus! Since I had done poorly on one of my EE classes, it had negatively impacted my performance in my other classes. This resulted in my leaving Naval ROTC for one semester and a TWE, so I ended up changing my major to Civil Engineering.

As for my fourth-time reapplying for the Class of 2020, things are a lot better. I ultimately decided to lower my credits to 17 and to not overwhelm myself. With the break I had from ROTC, I was able to earn A's and B's in all of my core engineering classes (Calc 3, Diff Eq, Physics 2 with lab, engineering design, etc.). I even managed to earn my Sea Scout Quartermaster Award (Eagle Scout equivalent) in November of 2015 after having participated in the program since my senior year in high school. I even became an active member of the ASCE student chapter offered in my university. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to secure a congressional and senatorial nomination this year unlike the previous years because the congressional staff wanted to give this other kid a shot after having nominated me for three years. I applied for a VP nomination, though. I spoke with a person from Admissions who knows me very well from the many times I had applied, and she said my package will be reviewed even without a nomination and that I will be considered for NAPS or the foundation scholarship-- I really hope I get this..

After having gone through this so many times, I started to realize what was truly important in life: It doesn't matter what University you attend. College is such a small part in everyone's life! Do not get disappointed if you do not get in. There are so many other opportunities out there! Stick with your plan B; If you receive a TWE, move forward with your life. Reapply to USNA and better yourself as a candidate if you don't get in and still desire to be admitted. I even realized that you make more money as a civilian if you decide to become a doctor, lawyer, or even as an engineer, so hopefully this should be an incentive for those who are depressed about not getting in. My point is... are you willing to spend another four years in the Academy just to commission versus commissioning early through ROTC (assuming commissioning is your goal)? Just commission, serve your time and then enjoy the rest of your life.

At this point of my life, I will be happy graduating with a B.S. and a M.S. in Civil Engineering (there's a program in my University that allows you to get both while as an undergrad) and commission through either ROTC or OSC. Though I haven't given up on my dream to attend USNA and will continue to apply until I am 23, I will still continue my plan B of graduating as an engineer and commission-- whichever comes first.

Thank you, and I am hoping this will help. It has been a long journey.
 
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