I too received an LOA from the USNA yesterday (conditional on a nomination). I would not say that I am an outstanding candidate either. I do agree with Kdelrosario that hard work, determination, and an never give up attitude that anything is possible.
Hopefully, Kdelrosario, I will see you on I day 2010.
Such intangibles as "hard work", "determination", and a "never give up attitude" are nearly impossible to convey via online applications, activity lists, good grades, high class standing, and high ACT/SAT scores.
Having those things SUGGEST the traits you mention - but they cannot be empirically determined otherwise - other than by actually talking with the candidate. One-on-one interviews, like the Blue & Gold interview, can usually make a determination like this. But, otherwise, there really is no way a candidate can "sell" this to the academy other than through their record and whatever comments the teachers may make on the online application.
Consequently, do NOT undervalue things like grades, activities, and ACT/SAT scores because they
do define you to a large degree.
I suspect many determined, hard-working, never-give-up candidates are left behind in the wake of the application process simply because of their average to below-average tangibles - like
grades!
Although it rolls off the tongue easily - such a purest notion is
not going to cause your application to stand out.
I just wanted to interject that tidbit of harsh reality for those who may be thinking that their average achievements/accomplishments in life will be overshadowed by their "can do" spirit.
The process is biased toward tangible RESULTS - not the touchy-feely intangibles. I'm not saying they're not important - but they are not the
most important as far as admission is concerned.
Those attributes will serve a candidate well once admitted. In fact, those are some of the
most important attributes once you've arrived at the Naval Academy and go a long way toward determining one's success at the academy.
Having the intangibles
without the tangibles does not sell a candidate very well on paper. And, for the most part, you
are selling yourself "on paper." Never lose sight of that.
