Chance me? (Sorry)

tommyboy44

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2016
Messages
171
I am a highschool Junior that goes to a very advanced college prepatory school in Florida. I am interested in USNA, USMA, and USAFA and will be applying for the NROTC scholarship. I am going to list my credentials in bullet point format to make it easier to read

GPA:
W: 3.7 ish by the end of the year
UW: 3.5 ish by the end of the year
GPA was pulled down from my freshmen year, without freshmen year, my W is about 4.3 and my UW is about 3.8

ACT: 30 Composite
I am taking the SAT this weekend

AP's:
AP US History
AP Psychology
AP Computer Principles (next year)
AP Biology (Next year)
AP Physics (Next year)
my school only offers a total of 9 AP's and we can only take them Junior or Senior year
Most other classes are honors

EC:
Accepted to NASS session 3
National Honors Society Next year
Captain of the Crew team for 2 years (3 years in total)
JV Basketball one year
Student Coucil Representative
Honor Council Member
Interact Club member (total of about 400 ish service hours)
Churches youth group assistant
Frequent volunteer for Jewish Comunitee center
National Social Studies award winner
State Latin forum awarded 2 years
Officer of Mock Trial Team
Public Speaking
Summer Camp Counselor for my school
Work for my dad's company, market broker
Volunteer at a lot of different places, Salvation Army, Food/Clothes Bank, etc
Journalism/Yearbook worker (possibly editor next year)
As for recommendations I have 2 Naval Academy grads (I can get a 3rd who is willing to write one) and a Dr. who is up for admiral.

Probably more stuff, just can't think of it right now, if I remember I will write it down.
 
Oh boy. Did you read the info posted by admissions about who needs to submit recommendation on your behave? Hint: it is unlikely any of the three you mentioned.

Please do some research on the forum as well.
 
Oh boy. Did you read the info posted by admissions about who needs to submit recommendation on your behave? Hint: it is unlikely any of the three you mentioned.

Please do some research on the forum as well.
I have, those are my recommendations that are not my english and math teacher.
 
While your resume is impressive for most youths, it is not remarkable for your competition. You need to bear down and add meaningful ECA'S, improve your grades, and improve on leadership.

It all depends what academies need geographically, gender wise, athletically, and diversity wise, and how you stack up against your competition.

Good luck, you have your work cutout for you.
 
One more thing to consider: your letters of recommendation, while important, are very small parts of your application. I've seen a lot of candidates believe than an LoR from a Maj Gen or a "big cheese" will be a slam dunk for an appointment. It is not. Just doing the math of 5 LoRs times thousands of applicants, and you see that while they do help you, they are probably not the weightiest part of your application.

Don't get me wrong - it's wonderful that you have USNA grads and officers who are willing to write recommendations for you. Just don't think that will be awe-inspiring to admissions. Do they know you well? Can they speak to your ability to succeed at USNA? I know for nominations some MOCs/Senators can and do call up your "recommenders" to gauge how well they know you. Best wishes
 
OP. Google the "USNA 2019 Class Portrait" to get more info about GPA, SAT scores, ECs statistics. Looks like you've done a lot of great work so far and definitely have a very good chance, but I can't tell what your unique leadership skills and interests are from the bullet points. I'd would suggest picking something you are passionate about and really try to make an impact.
 
Your chances are 50/50. You either get appointed or you don't.

At this point, focus on what additional things you can do this summer and early in your senior year that could make a difference. Think of ways you can take on a leadership role during the summer -- being a camp counselor, running a summer activity (a show, a fair, etc.). There is still time.

As described, your proposed extra LORs are almost certainly a waste of time. For the writers, for you, and for USNA Admissions. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true. And, BTW, if you run a major project over the summer (outside of school), THAT person MIGHT make a good extra LOR.
 
OP. Google the "USNA 2019 Class Portrait" to get more info about GPA, SAT scores, ECs statistics. Looks like you've done a lot of great work so far and definitely have a very good chance, but I can't tell what your unique leadership skills and interests are from the bullet points. I'd would suggest picking something you are passionate about and really try to make an impact.
Thanks for the tip, I think that the stuff that I spend the most time doing is Crew since I am Captain, Volenteer work, and school programs like NHS tutoring or Honor Council/Student Council. I will definately try to fit some more into my schedule though
 
Last edited:
One more thing to consider: your letters of recommendation, while important, are very small parts of your application. I've seen a lot of candidates believe than an LoR from a Maj Gen or a "big cheese" will be a slam dunk for an appointment. It is not. Just doing the math of 5 LoRs times thousands of applicants, and you see that while they do help you, they are probably not the weightiest part of your application.

Don't get me wrong - it's wonderful that you have USNA grads and officers who are willing to write recommendations for you. Just don't think that will be awe-inspiring to admissions. Do they know you well? Can they speak to your ability to succeed at USNA? I know for nominations some MOCs/Senators can and do call up your "recommenders" to gauge how well they know you. Best wishes
This is to you and USNA1985. Thanks for the comments guys they really helped shine some light on this. I do realize that the letters of recommendation have virtually no impact on the process and I did not add them to be like "I am in like flint because people I know" I simply added them just cause I was running my mind and thinking of what I could write down. I know all of the people very well and they all asked if they could write me letters instead of me approaching them. Do both of you think that I just should not submit them, because I do not want to waste both the writers and the admissions board's time. A
 
I would add this: If your GPA was brought down by freshman year, be sure to discuss that in your narrative. If applicable, you could discuss how you initially had trouble juggling volunteer work, crew demands and finding time to study, but you developed a better time management system and matured have been since able to excel in your academics amid an otherwise demanding schedule. That would show growth and maturity and I think, in general, all colleges like to see that sort of thing.
 
I would add this: If your GPA was brought down by freshman year, be sure to discuss that in your narrative. If applicable, you could discuss how you initially had trouble juggling volunteer work, crew demands and finding time to study, but you developed a better time management system and matured have been since able to excel in your academics amid an otherwise demanding schedule. That would show growth and maturity and I think, in general, all colleges like to see that sort of thing.
What you said was basically what happened, I really have matured and taken school much more serious. The main factor that hurt me though was my school switched from textbooks to IPads which really threw me off. I consistantly forgot to do homework because instead of my teachers telling us what to do they just put it online and forgot about it. I achieved A's in tests and quizzes but had around a C average in my homework catagories.
 
Just chill! You sound like an amazing person. You have done great things and will go on to do great things. That being said, amazing people get rejected from the Academy. There is very little rhyme or reason to it - there are just too many qualified candidates. All you can do is live your life, do your best and things will work out, one way or another. Try not to get too wrapped up in thoughts of "will I get in?". Just enjoy your senior year and fill out your application to the best of your ability and send it off. With all those applications, your senior fall is likely going to be pretty difficult. Try to take it a day at a time and don't stress too much. Best of luck!
 
Just chill! You sound like an amazing person. You have done great things and will go on to do great things. That being said, amazing people get rejected from the Academy. There is very little rhyme or reason to it - there are just too many qualified candidates. All you can do is live your life, do your best and things will work out, one way or another. Try not to get too wrapped up in thoughts of "will I get in?". Just enjoy your senior year and fill out your application to the best of your ability and send it off. With all those applications, your senior fall is likely going to be pretty difficult. Try to take it a day at a time and don't stress too much. Best of luck!
Thanks, that is what I am planing on doing. Don't get me wrong, it is not like if I do not get into the Naval Academy I will not know what to do. I have many backup plans such as NROTC scholarship or just local Florida schools like UF or FSU and do NROTC there. Thanks for the words of encouragement though.
 
What you said was basically what happened, I really have matured and taken school much more serious. The main factor that hurt me though was my school switched from textbooks to IPads which really threw me off. I consistantly forgot to do homework because instead of my teachers telling us what to do they just put it online and forgot about it. I achieved A's in tests and quizzes but had around a C average in my homework catagories.
It sounds like you have taken charge of things since freshman year....congrats! A word of caution: Just make sure when you address freshman year related to improvement that you take ownership and dont leave the impression of blaming a new system. I wouldn't dwell on the specifics. You were a freshman, had a bit of difficulty adjusting and you matured and figured it out and have consistently excelled since. Congrats on that!
 
This is to you and USNA1985. Thanks for the comments guys they really helped shine some light on this. I do realize that the letters of recommendation have virtually no impact on the process and I did not add them to be like "I am in like flint because people I know" I simply added them just cause I was running my mind and thinking of what I could write down. I know all of the people very well and they all asked if they could write me letters instead of me approaching them. Do both of you think that I just should not submit them, because I do not want to waste both the writers and the admissions board's time. A

Tommy- Definitely include the recommendations. No one knows exactly what will tip the scale for you. My DS is at USAFA. He had the required teacher recs from an English, math and science teacher. The 3 optional recs were from his Spanish teacher who had traveled with him on a school trip to Spain, a recent USAFA grad who worked with him at a SAME camp and a 2 star Air Force General who went to Navigator training with my husband and has know our family for 30 + years. He had other recommendations he used for other scholarships and maybe even sent some in his packet to the MOC. My DS had incredible academic stats and varsity letters in track and an Eagle Scout - all the same amazing stats that every other applicant has on here. I have no idea what got him in instead of another applicant with a similar resume. Put your absolute best foot forward. Continue to do great things. Enjoy your senior year. And just hope for the best!
 
Here is the deal with getting an appointment, nobody knows - lots of variables and regional competition is huge. If you were in Montana or Idaho, you would be all that much of a stronger candidate....
My DS did not get an appointment to USNA but did accept an appointment to USCGA. I would say his "points" were better in all of your areas except perhaps fitness (as his was not great and yours isn't posted). Rather than being a member of interact, he was the president of interact, rather than having a doctor up for admiral write a recommendation he had a prior surgeon general of the navy (that has known him for 12 years as a neighbor). DS grades were better, also a great ranked high school with 12 AP classes. He is a 3 sport athlete. DS is a great public speaker and "looks the part" and he comes from an officer family. Was told he had a great interview and received a nom from his congressman. Compare that to some others that I know that did not have the same credentials/points that did get an appointment to USNA and you scratch your head and ask why?
The reason is there are a number of variables beyond being triple Q'd (academic/fitness/DodMERB physical). Those include how many applicants in your area, how many of your gender/ethnicity, what is the USNA looking for that year, on and on.
So what you should do, is realize you have done what you can, and then try to bolster it a little more, and don't let the fit test pull down your otherwise good performance. When it comes right down to it you do your best and see where the dice fall. Your numbers are good enough, your leadership/volunteer is good enough, if you are Triple Q'd then you have done enough and the rest is up to the selections committees criteria and the USNA/USN needs that year. I have heard that Florida is a competitive state, so you need to keep at it... and good luck!!
 
My DS is at USAFA. He had the required teacher recs from an English, math and science teacher. The 3 optional recs were from his Spanish teacher who had traveled with him on a school trip to Spain, a recent USAFA grad who worked with him at a SAME camp and a 2 star Air Force General who went to Navigator training with my husband and has know our family for 30 + years.

What works for USAFA or USMA or any other SA is not relevant to what will work for USNA (the converse is equally true). Based on what USNA Admissions has said over and over again, the type of LOR mentioned above will not be helpful for USNA purposes. Also, there is zero way to know whether extra LORs helped or not, unless you are specifically told so by your SA's Admissions officer.

To the OP, submitting extra LORs for USNA can help IF -- and only if -- they discuss some aspect of your application that your teachers and/or BGO can't. As I suggested, if you're heavily involved in a non-school activity, the adult supervising that activity might be a good option for an extra LOR.

That said, the recommenders you mentioned might be helpful for your MOC packets. It depends on the requirements of each MOC and you should look into that.
 
Here is the deal with getting an appointment, nobody knows - lots of variables and regional competition is huge. If you were in Montana or Idaho, you would be all that much of a stronger candidate....
My DS did not get an appointment to USNA but did accept an appointment to USCGA. I would say his "points" were better in all of your areas except perhaps fitness (as his was not great and yours isn't posted). Rather than being a member of interact, he was the president of interact, rather than having a doctor up for admiral write a recommendation he had a prior surgeon general of the navy (that has known him for 12 years as a neighbor). DS grades were better, also a great ranked high school with 12 AP classes. He is a 3 sport athlete. DS is a great public speaker and "looks the part" and he comes from an officer family. Was told he had a great interview and received a nom from his congressman. Compare that to some others that I know that did not have the same credentials/points that did get an appointment to USNA and you scratch your head and ask why?
The reason is there are a number of variables beyond being triple Q'd (academic/fitness/DodMERB physical). Those include how many applicants in your area, how many of your gender/ethnicity, what is the USNA looking for that year, on and on.
So what you should do, is realize you have done what you can, and then try to bolster it a little more, and don't let the fit test pull down your otherwise good performance. When it comes right down to it you do your best and see where the dice fall. Your numbers are good enough, your leadership/volunteer is good enough, if you are Triple Q'd then you have done enough and the rest is up to the selections committees criteria and the USNA/USN needs that year. I have heard that Florida is a competitive state, so you need to keep at it... and good luck!!
Luckily I live in a rather uncompetitive part of Florida. For the class of 2020, 16 people applied for nominations and 10 (including 2 preschoolers) got my congressmen's nomination. As for my fitness, I am pretty fit, while I do not have exact numbers, I will be attending summer seminar and taking the cfa there and have been training for it.
 
Luckily I live in a rather uncompetitive part of Florida. For the class of 2020, 16 people applied for nominations and 10 (including 2 preschoolers) got my congressmen's nomination. As for my fitness, I am pretty fit, while I do not have exact numbers, I will be attending summer seminar and taking the cfa there and have been training for it.
Sorry, but I have to ask.....preschoolers? lol...hilarious! Could you share details? That would be an interesting read.
 
Back
Top