Preliminary Application Question

USNA-Hopeful-2021

USNA-Hopeful-2021

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
27
First of all, let me say, congratulations to those of you who have received appointments, and I hope those of you still waiting receive some good news soon. Now, since it is April 1st, preliminary applications have opened for those of us who have been unable to apply for NASS, whatever that reason may be. Going through my application, I have but one question. Near the bottom of the application, in the Education section, there is a box for "Remarks or Additional Comments," limited to 2000 characters. Since my academic achievement should hopefully meet the minimum requirements (Class rank of 6 out of 320, 750 PSAT Math and 710 PSAT Critical Reading is what I have), should I just leave this box blank?
 
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This is one very important component you will complete that needs to be well thought out and planned before you hit that "send" button.

Short of your BGOs' report to Admissions on your interview, this part will probably be the only opportunity to you get to actually 'speak' directly to Admissions.

Research past posts from this Board.
 
Thank you all, I will start writing out a summary of my academic achievement right away then.
murfthesurf said:
Research past posts from this Board.
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I also did do research before posting this to try and ensure that I wasn't reposting a questing, and nothing came up in my search.
 
USNA-Hopeful-2021 said:
Thank you all, I will start writing out a summary of my academic achievement right away then.

I also did do research before posting this to try and ensure that I wasn't reposting a questing, and nothing came up in my search.[


NO connection to Admissions, so take this for what it's worth, but I would NOT summarize. Use that space to tell Admissions something NEW that doesn't show up elsewhere on your application. As Murf said, it's your chance to "speak" to Admissions. Make it count. Also -- write it separately and cut and paste it onto the application. In fact, you should do that with all your replies. ALWAYS a good idea to get the information in writing, go away, and then come back and review/edit/correct/etc. ALSO -- Ask a trusted parent, teacher, friend, someone you respect to please edit or give you feedback on your essays.
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No connection to Admissions, so take this for what it's worth, but I would NOT summarize. They can read what you've written. Use that space to tell them something they are NOT seeing somewhere else on your application. As Murf said, this is your one big chance to SHOW Admissions who you are and what sets you apart.

Also, FWIW: 1) Write your essay and anything else in Word or whatever you use and then paste it into the application when you are ready to send. 2) Have a parent, teacher, trusted adult, whomever, EDIT your essay and everything else before you submit. MAKE SURE you check grammar, punctuation, spelling. 3) Write your essay and then go away and let it get cold. Then come back and read through it again. You have a VERY LIMITED space to show Admissions why they should choose you over all the other exemplary candidates. Make it count.
 
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USNA-Hopeful-2021 said:
Thank you all, I will start writing out a summary of my academic achievement right away then.

I also did do research before posting this to try and ensure that I wasn't reposting a questing, and nothing came up in my search.
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If you're searching on your phone or with the app it's not really helpful. Try searching on a laptop/computer-way more search results!
 
USNA..2021, ....Opps...I just saw PSATs I read as SATs ....still, nice scores !
 
This is only the preliminary application, so the only things that Admissions are seeing from me from an education standpoint are my education level completed, expected year of graduation, standardized test scores, and class rank. There is no place for a transcript anywhere in the preliminary application. This also isn't truly an essay box, since it is limited to 2000 characters, not words. Currently, what I have been typing up has been a summary of my academic rigor through high school (i.e. Honors, AP, IB, and Concurrent Enrollment courses), and how I have been pursuing my interests by taking JROTC and Engineering courses, as none of that is seen elsewhere on the preliminary application. Does that sound like stuff I should be writing about?
murfthesurf said:
still, nice scores !
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Thank you, they should be qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship program, but I will only find out about that come September.
 
GoNavy2020 said:
No connection to Admissions, so take this for what it's worth, but I would NOT summarize. They can read what you've written. Use that space to tell them something they are NOT seeing somewhere else on your application.
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1+ GoNavy2020 No academic summary necessary and do not be in a hurry to submit. Make sure everything is read, edited and re-read because once you hit that submit button, you can never go back to it.

1+ EOD/SEALmom - never, ever leave a space blank. Everyone has a unique story, so dig deep and think of yours.

My DD used this space to note that her particular high school did not offer NHS, Student Government, electives and no language choice (her school only offers Latin and Greek), nor did her school offer an athletic letter program as she knew those things were important to the Academy. She also commented on certain awards that were not the usual academic and athletic achievements such as earning the High School Equestrian Athlete Award and being the illustrator of a published book.
 
So, should I use this space then to explain my academic achievements like NHS, academic lettering, and being the JROTC Academic Student of the year, for example? Or more outside the box, like how I am leading the mechanical aspects of building a quadcopter from scratch?
 
USNA-Hopeful-2021 said:
So, should I use this space then to explain my academic achievements like NHS, academic lettering, and being the JROTC Academic Student of the year, for example? Or more outside the box, like how I am leading the mechanical aspects of building a quadcopter from scratch?
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From what I remember, this is your preliminary questionnaire and if you are deemed competitive you will then fill out a more in depth application/resume listing everything on your list. You will have to choose, but I would use that box for things that are not noted anywhere else on your questionnaire and something that makes you stand out in a pool of like fish. On a side note, your transcripts won't even be asked for unless you become an applicant later in the year.
 
Thank you, I have decided to use the box to delve into my involvement in JROTC and engineering, to explain how I am reaching for my life goals (Navy/Engineering), through my role as Kitty Hawk commander (AFJROTC's academic honor society) and my multiple development projects outside of school. These development projects should be enough to make me stand out, and I have no worries about being competitive enough, academically or otherwise. Thanks again to everyone who replied, and I'm sure I'll be asking questions throughout the process as it continues.
 
USNA-Hopeful-2021 said:
So, should I use this space then to explain my academic achievements like NHS, academic lettering, and being the JROTC Academic Student of the year, for example? Or more outside the box, like how I am leading the mechanical aspects of building a quadcopter from scratch?
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Hopeful -- Pretty much every candidate is going to be NHS. What is academic lettering?? JROTC Academic Student of the Year is a nice one to include IF it's for something other than having a good GPA. Did you take dual enrollment classes or something to that effect?? I'd recommend -- and again, I'm NOT an expert -- that you go outside the box. As Rock said, you want something that makes out stand out from all the other fish. Is the quadcopter something you're doing on our own or part of JRTOC?? That might work. With your PSAT scores, you should easily earn Candidate status. This is the time to start showing why you might be a good candidate for an LOA.
 
GoNavy2020 said:
What is academic lettering?? Did you take dual enrollment classes or something to that effect?? Is the quadcopter something you're doing on our own or part of JRTOC??
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Academic lettering is essentially earning a high enough GPA consistently across all your classes, and you have to be enrolled in core classes to qualify. And yes, I am taking dual enrollment courses at the local community college. And no, the quadcopter is with an after school engineering club.
 
Would definitely mention the after school engineering club, as it's something different to most EC's -- particularly if you have a leadership position, which it sounds like you do. I'd also note the Kitty Hawk commander. You want to stress any leadership positions you have, as that's a big part of being an officer.

If I may -- do try to be as humble as possible. Not saying you aren't. Just watch stuff like "I have no worries about being competitive enough, academically or otherwise." Note that pretty much every candidate is going to have a stellar GPA, great test scores (though, of course, you have every right to be proud of National Merit Scholar scores), loads of ECs and leadership positions, and great recommendations, etc. And, each year, there are MANY of candidates with exactly those credentials who do NOT receive appointments. Not trying to preach. Just passing along advice that was given to my DS when he was applying.
 
I, honestly, would not waist too much time on crafting something up. The PCQ is simply to determine whether you will receive an application and become an official candidate. The MOST significant data from the PCQ, which determines official candidacy, is the SAT/ACT (or PSAT/PLAN) scores, along with class rank, and some other academic stats. The other areas are important, but the letter sent to applicants, who do not become official candidates, always stresses to improve the SAT/ACT scores as the number one way to change their status. Basically, there is a mini-calculation done (based off the info mentioned above)...if you meet or exceed it...you become an official candidate. I believe your scores are almost at the very high end....there is no reason why I believe you wouldn't become an official candidate based off that.

The other posters have great advice for your actual application.
 
GoNavy2020 said:
If I may -- do try to be as humble as possible.
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Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, I merely meant I had no worries about being competitive enough to just become an official candidate, but I can see exactly where you are coming from.
usnabgo08 said:
The other posters have great advice for your actual application.
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This is what I was thinking, so I was just planning on sending in what I've already written and leaving at that, so I can wait until the actual application to expand upon my activities and such.
 
I think that would be fine. If you want to include additional comments/remarks on activities not covered by the PCQ, you can do so in the free-response section (maybe as bullet points with brief explanations). It doesn't have to be a masterpiece (although, check your spelling and grammar, if you do input something).
 
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