Doing a year of college and then applying to USNA

[usnaPERSON]

How does doing a year of college and then applying to USNA work? Right now I'm a senior in college, I didn't apply to USNA this year because I procrastinated in deciding what I wanted to do and my MOC nominations deadline have passed. My question is how am I supposed to prove myself as a good applicant, worthy of an appointment next year if my MOC deadlines are Sep. 30 and I would have just started college. Also how do they compare you against current HS seniors. I'm in a competitive district (Virginia's 2nd congressional) but don't want to give up on going to the academy. What can I do between now and September 2017 to make myself competitive for an appointment?

 

[Capt MJ]

Start here:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/Previous-Candidates-and-College-Candidates.php

Browse though the USNA forum for re-applicant and college applicant threads for additional suggestions.

A good portion of any plebe class already has a year's worth of college, with classes mirroring plebe year, and excellent grades, under their belts. You still enter as a plebe, and no credits transfer, but you may validate some classes or get into an advanced section.

As always, my standard advice: read every page, link, drop-down, on USNA.edu.

 

[luckydoggy1234]

i really wouldn't suggest it. I'm currently pulling a year of college and while I'm not complaining, the academies kind of expect you to do rotc whether you're contracted or not. so currently I'm up until 1am trying to finish up school work and up at 5 in order to be at pt at 6. don't be fooled, academics and rotc at civilian colleges are extremely tough especially if you go to a top 30 school. i remember failing my first chem test because I was up until 2am studying and then up at 5 for pt.
I don't know about the academies, but to my general knowledge lights out are usually at 12 and if you dont have remedial pt you could sleep until 6:30. that means that generally you're guaranteed at least 6 hours of sleep. in a regular college professors expect you to do homework until 1am on average and that does not even include the 3 hour labs (6 hours if you take chem and bio) that are a real killer to both you're time and mental fitness.

 

[luckydoggy1234]

also, if you go to college out of your area, you have to write to your teachers and schools for recommendation letters. you also need to coordinate mailing in the information for all your nominations. its a huge hassle.

 

[luckydoggy1234]

I've just finished reading the end of your portion and it sounds like you're already leaning on going to one year of college. to answer your question, if you maintain good grades on your last semester of senior year as well as good grades in your freshman year, you will have an advantage over hs seniors. thats because you've already proven yourself to be able to handle college level curriculum at college.

 

[Justin5]

I'm in the same boat, senior in high school, and I really want to go to the Naval Academy. The nomination deadlines for my district have already passed, and I haven't even taken the ACT yet (originally planned on enlisting). I know I should be taking hard classes in college, but does it matter what college I go to? I am planning on going to Ohio State University. Also, would it help for me to join my college's triathlon club? Community service? Any help is appreciated!

 

[luckydoggy1234]

i want to say yes but i can't be sure. but know this, last year i was denied for a waiver. this year with the exact same stats and without the college transcript sent out yet i was given a waiver request. i personally think its partly due to the college I'm going to but i can't be definitive.

 

[usnaPERSON]

Its sort of a risk to try to attend after a year of college. My options right now are to attend either VMI or VT (pending acceptance, I've already applied). If i go to VMI I'm afraid I won't want to leave, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If I attend VT it would make it easier to transition but I don't want to get stuck somewhere. It just seems like so many hurdles to jump through to get an appointment. Also if I were to go out of district or state, what MOC do I apply to? My guess is the one my parent live at. And how do I gauge my chances of an appointment?

 

[CatChaser]

My DD did a year of college before her appointment. She was not selected for c/o 2018. She is now c/o 2019. She attended UMBC, which is an in-state college for us. I can't remember all her class choices, but I do remember she took linear algebra (her AP test score allowed her to skip Calculus), chemistry with lab, an English course, a history, French and some other classes. She did not do ROTC (I don't think they had a ROTC program the year she was there, they may now), and she played club rugby. Her MOC was for the district her Dad and I reside in (MD-3).

The Academy likes re-applicants. Her MOC and senators liked re-applicants. If you can take a close to Plebe-like class schedule and do well at it, you have a reasonable chance. Good luck with whatever route you choose!

 

[Dadof2]

If i go to VMI I'm afraid I won't want to leave

Why would you be afraid of not wanting to leave? If you like it after a year and it feels like the right place for you - stay. If you don't get into USNA, VMI is a great option to continue with and can get you the same end result as USNA. One thing to think about, if you go to VMI for a year then go to USNA you will be going through Rat year at VMI, then Plebe year at USNA. Nothing wrong with that and I'm sure the experience of going through both will have a lot of value, but going through two 4th class systems, back to back, is something to think about.

My question is how am I supposed to prove myself as a good applicant, worthy of an appointment next year

VMI, especially Rat year, is tough in every way - academically, physically, mentally. If you take STEM courses there and do well in those courses Rat year will prepare you well for USNA. I think I heard there are 3 Plebes at USNA this year who were VMI Rats last year. If not VMI, take a Plebe-like schedule at whatever college you attend and do well.

It just seems like so many hurdles to jump through to get an appointment.

True. It's very, very difficult. You have to really want it and realize that no matter how good of a candidate you think you are there is a good chance you will not get an appointment.

And how do I gauge my chances of an appointment?

Don't waste your time trying to gauge your chances. This is a total waste of time. If you want it, put a plan together and go for it. Just make sure you are also working on backup plans. It's November now and I believe you stated you are a senior, so it's time to get moving and develop a plan for yourself.

 

[usnaPERSON]

One thing to think about, if you go to VMI for a year then go to USNA you will be going through Rat year at VMI, then Plebe year at USNA. Nothing wrong with that and I'm sure the experience of going through both will have a lot of value, but going through two 4th class systems, back to back, is something to think about.

This is definitely something i realize. I feel like I have to choose to between either going to VMI or going to a civilian college for a year then going to USNA. But... if i go to a civilian college with the intent of leaving after a year then that is putting me in a bad position if i don't get an appointment next year.

Also is the quality of education at VMI anything less than USNA? Really? Will I be devoid of alot of opportunities at VMI compared to USNA? And what about career prospects after the navy?
These are the questions that are making me reconsider VMI which was my initial 1st choice and really look at USNA.