Should I -

Hoalike

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- talk to my school's Guidance Counselor about the USNA? In order to recieve help with the admissions , nominations, etc?
 
Of course, when it comes time to apply they are also going to help you with transcripts and other application forms. That way they know what your goal is and can stay in the loop of your progress. They can also help you establish contact with your BGO.
 
Should I-

Yes, it is a place to start. Also check the website.

Good luck

RGK
 
- talk to my school's Guidance Counselor about the USNA? In order to recieve help with the admissions , nominations, etc?

Do not rely upon your school's Guidance Counselor for information regarding admission/nomination to a service academy. Most are woefully ignorant of the process.

I recommend educating yourself about the admissions process. You should read the entire admissions catalog (online). Most questions are answered there.

Naturally, your Guidance Counselor will be involved in the process, but mostly you are going to task you him/her for sending out transcripts.

Most of the people in my sons' school thought they were enlisting in the Navy.

Try to refer to the Naval Academy as "The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland" to anybody who does not seem to know what it is. Or, you could call it "The Navy's version of West Point." The Naval Academy, to many people, is right up there with "The Police Academy."
 
Good point. It is unreasonable to assume guidance officers are all informed, available and timely, and/or supportive of the military. Many, perhaps most are all of these and more. Many are over-worked with student numbers that are outrageous, ill-informed about the unique application, nomination and appointment processes of the Service Academies, or simply unable to provide substantive information in a timely way. Candidates should be prepared to stay on top of necessary engagements and information.

btw, this is NOT to "diss" nor denigrate guidance counselors. Most are terrific, especially in light of what they are called to do. Rather it is just a word of caution and help to ensure naivete and/or good intentions do not get in the way of getting done that which must be in timely and thorough manner.

And on a perhaps more controversial note, SAs can be tainted for many because of their essential purpose, educating and preparing leaders to defend our nation. It can be well argued that teacher unions and their members are not always or often massively supportive of our military and its mission. Few any longer have had any exposure or investment in military service, nor have their families. So walk carefully, cautiously, wisely in this forest. Friendly fire can be dangerous. For some informative "education" about the potential here, all one need do is see where funding goes from the unions and program objectives of NEA and often their state affiliates. A sad note of necessary caution. Our local just affiliated with AFL-CIO. Listen to Rich Trumka for some intriguing insights. The real point is part of this process can become immersed in the political perspectives of the partners needed to successfully complete this process. Awareness and sensitivity can be valuable commodities.
 
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A local BGO is a very good resource. I contacted mine near the end of my sophomore year.
 
A local BGO is a very good resource. I contacted mine near the end of my sophomore year.

True, but ultimately a candidate cannot avoid interacting with their school's Guidance Counselor at some point in the process. There are things that they will have to do for you that your BGO cannot.

For instance, your BGO cannot mail a sealed copy of your transcript to your senator/congressman.
 
There are some really good replies above. Our experience with the guidance counselors were bad. Our sons counselor was very inexperienced in the area of service academies. She has been in her job for over 25 years. We finally had to ask our Congressman's office to send us things directly as we still have not received paperwork that was sent to her in 2006. She actually told our son, that he did not need to take a math class his Sr. year, as it was not needed for admission to USNA. Thankfully we got through to him that math was indeed needed.
He is now a First class and will be heading back to NAPS to be a Detailer next week.
Rondo
 
There are some really good replies above. Our experience with the guidance counselors were bad. Our sons counselor was very inexperienced in the area of service academies. She has been in her job for over 25 years. We finally had to ask our Congressman's office to send us things directly as we still have not received paperwork that was sent to her in 2006. She actually told our son, that he did not need to take a math class his Sr. year, as it was not needed for admission to USNA. Thankfully we got through to him that math was indeed needed.
He is now a First class and will be heading back to NAPS to be a Detailer next week.
Rondo

:eek:
 
Given that there frequently is a chance that one is going to encounter a counselor who either is unfamiliar with the SA procedures, anti-military, or just plain inept, I recommend that parents get involved early if a candidate hits a wall with the counselor. I would expect the first parental encounter be with the counselor showing support for the candidate, if that fails to produce co-operation, the next encounter should be with the principal, and the next with the superintendent/school board. It is a sad state that some counselors put their personal biases before the interests of the students they are supposed to be guiding, but it does happen.
 
Been there done that. You and only you (if you are not in an area that has a lot of applicants and a military base near by) will have to do 95% of the process. Stay on top of all deadlines ---send requests to everyone three weeks before you have to have them in. Push your AD and guidance counselor every day to help you. Deadlines will make or break your application. From medical papers to signed activities and transcripts they have got to support you and they will more than likely be clueless. Email and copy all request to your guidance counselor,principal and school superintendent. Don't be afraid to be aggressive if this its what you want. Your BGO will help you trust them and listen to everything they tell you. Best of LUCK!!
 
It's all on us, I'm afraid. I know my counselor and BGO everyone else is super helpful, but I've had to organize a good group of people and make sure they all follow the instructions. Happens when you want everything done early, and I suppose that's kind of the point of the process... Doesn't make it easier, though.

Of course, you still have a year, right? I'd let it be known to your counselor, and next year probe your teachers and coaches and whoever else might write recommendations, letting them know your interest and excelling at anything they ask. You're ahead of the game. Don't lose that advantage.
 
So, recently a student from my school was accepted to the Naval Academy c/o 2015. I was not able to ask him what he had to go through the process of admission due to the fact he already left for Plebe Summer. Maybe, the Counselors should have a familiar look with Service Academies.

So, I have less than a month before my Junior Year begins. I've been wondering when I should discuss the USNA with them. Maybe in the first quarter, or 2nd semester?
 
If it's what you really want, let everyone know as soon as possible. Also be sure to apply for the NROTC Scholarship (I think you can apply sooner than the Academy), I'm told that the Academy likes to see that you just want to be an officer no matter what.

It's good to let your intentions be known. You can also maybe ask coaches to help you prepare physically. It's great that someone at your school already went through the process.
 
Ever consider talking with the parents of a successful candidate? I strongly suspect they have a wealth of information regarding what had to be done, which hoops jumped through, etc to get it done. Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results. My experience has been that few candidates do this all on their own - eg, I end up talking to parents as often as to candidates.
 
There is one high school in this area (west Tennessee) that sent FIVE plebes to the Class of 2015, one of whom got a call just 4 days before I-Day. Some went to USMA and USAFA. I'm thinking that school's Counselor probably understands service academies very well.

SIDENOTES:

This private school is the same one that was in the movie "Blind Side".

The plebe that got the call just 4 days prior to I-Day was getting ready to start his 3rd year at Auburn and was on his third application to the Naval Academy. I guess his persistence eventually paid off. Miracles do happen.
 
There is one high school in this area (west Tennessee) that sent FIVE plebes to the Class of 2015, one of whom got a call just 4 days before I-Day. Some went to USMA and USAFA. I'm thinking that school's Counselor probably understands service academies very well.

SIDENOTES:

This private school is the same one that was in the movie "The Blind Side".

The plebe that got the call just 4 days prior to I-Day was getting ready to start his 3rd year at Auburn and was on his third application to the Naval Academy. I guess his persistence eventually paid off. Miracles do happen.
 
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