USNA Class of 2028 Waiting and Speculating
- Thread starter WT Door
- Start date
PO2FleetApplicant
NAPS ‘25 USNA ‘29 1st Time Fleet Applicant
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2024
- Messages
- 53
Hoping that today is one of those days where it’s quiet in the morning, and the floodgates open in the afternoon… seems to be how it goes on days like today
For those struggling with the decision they received, I encourage you and your applicant to take a moment to reflect on what is your ultimate goal. We went through the application process a couple years ago with our oldest daughter. Her decision to pursue military and to apply came late in her HS Jr year. We aren’t even sure what sparked the change – her initial college plan was centered on securing a D1 team offer with a lot of other preference restrictions which limited her to a handful of schools (military wasn’t even part of the equation, initially). Maybe her college counselor talked some sense into her. But she seemed focused on pursuing the impossible, so USNA became her goal. We’re a multigeneration Navy family, and she was looking at Navy path. After researching, she chose Marines and was all in for the process. In addition to completing her USNA application, she also pursued and received the Marine Scholarship (and she applied to multiple quality ROTC school programs, but only because her school counselor required her to apply to more than one school). She worked to help anyone in the area who was applying to USNA get connected to BGO and finish their package. Her entire focus, vision, plan centered on the USNA. When she received the NAPS referral, immense disappointment. But within a very short amount of time (probably less than a day, hours) she came to us and said she knew her goal was to become a Marine officer and she had other options to get her there without delaying her career a year. She shifted focus to Norwich, but agreed to visit the Citadel “to officially rule it out”. But when she stepped on campus she KNEW she had found her people. It has been hard, awful, amazing, transformational. She can’t imagine being anywhere else – the experience, growth, elite opportunities….know your goal. And for some this may be your first opportunity/trial to lead with dignity and grace. If you are pursuing a military career, you will need to be able to objectively focus on the mission at hand. For those who made it to this point, you are exceptional. But this is the first taste of the military experience – career, duty assignments, mission….you may apply or request something, but it will ultimately be determined by what the Navy or your Command needs. Know the goal and what will be required. This decision, regardless of the path, is a commitment to Country before Self.
A few years ago, we had a family friend who actually secured an appointment at USNA. It had been their goal their entire HS career…it was all they or their family talked about. Outstanding credentials, high academic honors, this was what they dreamed of achieving. A few weeks into it, they dropped out, transferred to a top engineering school, following a civilian path. They had only focused on the USNA piece and not what choosing that path actually meant.
Know your goal. Because of our oldest’s experience, our middle child chose to pursue Navy and USNA. Their approach has been a little different, considering it as a method to get to a commission. The discussions have not been about the school, but career paths that will be available on the other side. An appointment to USNA would be incredible, but my middle child planned for the likely TD and is already accepted into an elite engineering program at another school and an ROTC scholarship. Status is still pending. The wait is stressful.
It is encouraging to know the depth of talent, determination, resilience vying for leadership positions within the various service branches. I wish everyone all the best in whatever path your life takes you.
A few years ago, we had a family friend who actually secured an appointment at USNA. It had been their goal their entire HS career…it was all they or their family talked about. Outstanding credentials, high academic honors, this was what they dreamed of achieving. A few weeks into it, they dropped out, transferred to a top engineering school, following a civilian path. They had only focused on the USNA piece and not what choosing that path actually meant.
Know your goal. Because of our oldest’s experience, our middle child chose to pursue Navy and USNA. Their approach has been a little different, considering it as a method to get to a commission. The discussions have not been about the school, but career paths that will be available on the other side. An appointment to USNA would be incredible, but my middle child planned for the likely TD and is already accepted into an elite engineering program at another school and an ROTC scholarship. Status is still pending. The wait is stressful.
It is encouraging to know the depth of talent, determination, resilience vying for leadership positions within the various service branches. I wish everyone all the best in whatever path your life takes you.
I think the frustrating part of a TD is everyone wants to know if I do X then I will get a BFE next year. It’s not that simple. All it takes is one better on a slate. I knew everyone compares stats on this form, but as a BGO it’s hard to read. There is so much more to the scoring and considerations that cannot be portrayed on this forum. Great you have a 4.X. There are thousands with that. It’s why standardized scores are so important, it’s the one factor that is common. We see lots of high test scores, I will say every time, but what was your math? What is your school profile. Often we hear kids saying I go to ‘competitive high school.’ When in their area it is, but nationally it’s not. What evals, your BGO wrote, we don’t see that. There is no black and white answer. It’s put the best package you can together. That is the only thing a candidate can control in this process.I 100% agree. It is very hard to come to terms with. Especially because of the 11 in the state, my DS got TD, the other 10 are pending and they haven’t started our state slate and there are 4 appointments to give. When you talk to the AO you want an informed answer as to what the other ten had you didn’t so you can make that improvement before next year. Not an answer from just looking at his application and comparing it to applications at large. What specifically caused him to get TD and the other ten haven’t even been evaluated for the state slate.
That is where the disappointment stems from because he is going to reapply but what’s to know exactly what he needs to work on that causes his rejection. He reached out to his BGO and he is beyond amazing!!! He wrote him while on vacation over the weekend and again last night with a HUGE email and was disappointed in his rejection and they have a phone call scheduled tonight to help him with his reapplication.
Thank you all BGO, your support of these kids and helping them process the rejections and helping them become better humans is beyond words!!!
Last edited:
Great perspective. Also we don’t follow the Army on this… 2ndLt. Goodness I haven’t written that in a long long time.
centay
VTCC '28 NROTC Battalion
- Joined
- May 30, 2023
- Messages
- 48
Just got the turn down email. Thank you all on this forum for being along for the ride. I am glad to say that I am now committed to Virginia Tech in the Corps of Cadets doing NROTC on my path to become a naval officer. I am currently undecided if I am going to reapply or not but I will keep my options open by filling out the preliminary application and taking the June SAT. I'll still be around the forum and I will definitely give updates on my time in VTCC for those who are interested in it as a Plan B. Good luck for those waitlisted or pending and Go Hokies!
Eagles1221
USMA Class of 2028
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2023
- Messages
- 59
Thanks for the heads up... guess I need to spend some time reviewing USMC ranks.
I'm sorry. Your Plan B is an incredible opportunity. You will do great things there and in the fleet.
OneDayAtATime2024
Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2024
- Messages
- 22
I know a few freshman in that program are leaving to go to USNA next year.
Harryusmc
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2024
- Messages
- 15
I might be joining you, still pending currently.
Congratulations on a great Plan B. Wishing you much success at VT and with the Corps of Cadets.
Thegalmeys
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2024
- Messages
- 12
MyThis is so incredibly exciting. I find myself as excited for others gaining acceptance as I would for my own DS. CONGRATULATIONS
Yes DS going to VTCC too. Go Hokies!!
ARMARINE03
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2024
- Messages
- 362
Thanks for riding with us. Wishing you the best. Good luck!
ARMARINE03
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2024
- Messages
- 362
Focus on the Navy ranks, sometimes it's hard to tell what's what from 25ft
chevrons on MARPATs are a deadly combo. Can't see til its too late
ARMARINE03
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2024
- Messages
- 362
It's not the chevrons you need to worry about. It's the shineys. If you're saluting a S/Sgt. or above, you're going to have much bigger problems. LOL
Good luck at Tech! We are VA-06 and know many who love it there! (but go Dukes!)
mharrisnewman
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2024
- Messages
- 29
We visited VT last week for the "Spend the Night with a Cadet" program and loved it. I hope you love it there. It is an amazing school and the Corps of Cadets is really special.
mharrisnewman
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2024
- Messages
- 29
I might be joining you at VT. i loved my visit there last week. Waiting on medical waiver.