What a Joke

[mulan50]

But of course! Marcus Lutrell, Navy Seal and martial artist. I have not yet met Marcus but know his 1st instructor who wrote a book about his beginning in martial arts in Texas., Steve Hunter very well. Steve now resides in Pa and name of his book highlighting Marcus' beginnings is called "Training Heroes". We run an international martial arts organization so we know many military who are martial artists.

 

[stella]

Competition

What school is your DS/DD attending? I have seen a lot of your posts and understand it is a boarding school .... Is it a military boarding school such as Culver Academy?

It is a specialized STEM boarding school, state funded. The school does not at all guarentee SA appointments, but they tend to have a decent track record. Even still, it is DRILLED into the kids that they have to work their tails off with academics, leadership, sports and service...and still must understand that a SA appointment must be just one of several options they need to be seeking.

I must say, I had NO IDEA how competitive this whole thing is until our oldest started showing an interest. My hat goes off to all of you seeking to serve.

S

 

[Daddy_12]

When one interviews a MOC, the MOC can easily tell If the individual is there because he/she wanted to be there or if they want to go to the school for the free education or their parents want them to go. They nominat said person for their stats but they also write a note on the side that says "parents make him go" or whatever they felt the problem was. So ask your son/ daughter if they really want to go or if you want their dreams more than they do.

I had a meeting with a MOC the other week and his is what he said as to why really strOng applicants were rejected

 

[newtoallthis]

Don't forget the BGO input....

To add to Daddy_12, do not forget the input of the BGO.

After the BGO had concluded his interview with DS, his next step was to ask us if we had any questions. Being new to all this I had a couple, one of which had to do with the application process. I asked about applicants, strong stats and their resumes. DS did not have the mile long list of activities i've seen here and i'd wondered if that was going to be a problem. (In the interest of disclosure DS is a recruited athlete. ) The BGO told us a story about an applicant from the same high school as DS . This applicant did have the mile long list of activities and he/his family had been actively adding to it for years with a specific focus on getting the 'resume' ready for a service academy. The BGO said that during the interview, the father did all of the talking and the applicant did not display the interest or knowledge of the Naval Academy that would be expected on an applicant. The applicant did not receive an appointment to Navy or anywhere else.

 

[time2]

^^ (relating to post #43) MOC issues NOM's, only the academy can offer an appointment. To be in the running for an appointment, you have to be 3Q AND have a NOM. In the situation you are describing, that would most likely result in the applicant not receiving a NOM which would take them out of the running for an appointment. I agree that BGO input can also be a factor, neither the candidate (nor the parents) would have access to the BGO's input or things like teacher recommendations. Part of the reason why the 'what are my chances?' threads on here can't really be answered.

 

[FUTURENAVYMOM]

Like the above posts, I also agree and have heard from many that it is very important that the candidate shows a real desire to serve, not just to attend the Academy. Did the candidate apply for NROTC? Was scholarship awarded? Did they apply to any other service academies? What about the candidates essay and teacher recommendations...when my DS attended NASS and the parents met in Alumni Hall to pick up, they had several speakers. One speaker from Admissions, stated the whole application package has to make sense. For instance if they have a high ACT or SAT score but are not high in hs ranking, are the slacking in school not working to potential or is the school that competitive that everyone is that good? They have a high GPA, but what courses did they take? Same goes for highly ranked student who scores poorly on SAT/ACT. It has to make sense. In addition, we were told USNA doesn't really look at the composite ACT score, just Math and English...so although composite can be 30+ how was the Math and English? So many variables to consider in the whole process! Very frustrating indeed, but just like so many kids also get rejected from top tier universities with perfect SAT scores...competition is fierce! Good luck to everyone!

 

[trini1066]

Luigi and Diversity

Luigi--I understand there are some people in the country that have to blame or find excuses why they don't succeed in some of there goals. For me personally I hate excuses. To blame Diversity or under represented Candidates for the reason, some candidates receive appointments and some don't, is just a cop out. The majority of posts on these Forums are positive and encouraging. Lets try to keep it that way.

 

[aseanag]

Luigi--I understand there are some people in the country that have to blame or find excuses why they don't succeed in some of there goals. For me personally I hate excuses. To blame Diversity or under represented Candidates for the reason, some candidates receive appointments and some don't, is just a cop out. The majority of posts on these Forums are positive and encouraging. Lets try to keep it that way.

I agree totally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Daddy_12]

I wholeheartedly agree with Luigi, read some of the articles he has posted. You will find that not the brightest and the best are put into the academies. There is indeed a double standard and it needs to be addressed because qualified kids are getting turned down and not so prestigious applicants are getting accepted. We want the brightest and best qualified minds leading this nation, not the racially diverse.

 

[majortheta]

I'm a white non-Hispanic guy living in a Hispanic district. The Academy chose me over plenty of qualified Hispanic candidates. Take that for what you will.

 

[iceman2018]

Unless you sit on the admissions board, you don't know jack.

 

[TJWJAG50]

Unless you sit on the admissions board, you don't know jack.

Then that means people should give deference to what Professor Bruce Fleming has written on this subject. He was a member of the selection committee for years.

 

[Jcleppe]

Got the letter today. 4.15 GPA top 5% 30 ACT Eagle Scout and varsity ski for 3 years.

However backup plan has already been executed and will be entering the ROTC program in the fall!

Smart Kid you have there.

 

[Jcleppe]

There are a lot of numbers and stats being typed into this forum. I think that everyone needs to take a step back and understand that USNA is not Harvard or Yale. If you want a diploma to hang on your wall behind your desk someday then apply to an Ivy League school. If you want to lead Sailors and Marines in combat then apply. Not one of my Marines has ever asked me what my GPA was or if I was the school's mascot. They look at me when they need leadership, guidance, and direction. They look at me and decide whether I am know my job and can lead them in any situation. If you (or your child in this case) truly want to lead Sailors and Marines then they will, THEY will make the decision to earn a commission, THEY will do it whether they are accepted to the Academy or attend PLC/OCC/OCS after earning their degree at the local community college. Never forget the mission of the Service Academies, it is not about your children, it is not about you wearing a USNA sweatshirt! It is about the Sailors and Marines we are being trained to Lead!

An excellent post, for all the services.

 

[iceman2018]

Then that means people should give deference to what Professor Bruce Fleming has written on this subject. He was a member of the selection committee for years.

He only has one vote. If you look at the breakdown of who gets in, there's a consistent majority but is it fair? It may not be fair if you don't get a nod but that's how the system is set up. There's more to it than just the resume or a specific demographic. No one has to give deference to anyone just because he's a professor. Especially if he's just drumming up controversy to sell his book.

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20101117/NEWS/11170316/2-star-USNA-professor-clash-on-diversity

 

[Luigi59]

Luigi--I understand there are some people in the country that have to blame or find excuses why they don't succeed in some of there goals. For me personally I hate excuses. To blame Diversity or under represented Candidates for the reason, some candidates receive appointments and some don't, is just a cop out. The majority of posts on these Forums are positive and encouraging. Lets try to keep it that way.

Cop out? Excuse? Ummm, no.

Reality? Ummm, yes.

You cannot give "affirmative" action to any candidate without having to discriminate against another.

 

[Rocketdog01]

I don't believe that the articles Luigi posted are excuses; they are the reality in the world we live today. Why take offense to something that most of us know to be true and takes place everyday. Finding your place in this world is a challenge. It is important that these young adults realize who they are and don’t lose sight of what they have to do to overcome these odds. My son too has received the TWE this week and I was feeling the same way the original poster felt. If you are a good parent and you love your children I don't think you can honestly not have those feelings. After thinking about the journey this process has taken our family on I wouldn't change a thing. On our numerous road trips to visit these schools I learned a lot about my son, we spent a great deal of time talking about his future and now the time has come to put those alternate plans that were so frequently discussed into action. I am truly grateful for this time spent with him. It taught my son that sacrifice and hard work doesn’t always have the end results you set out to achieve, but you will always be a better person for the experience and giving it your all. That is something no one can take away from you. I would like to share with you a message that my son received from a close family friend who is a retired Navy Seal and USNA graduate who has had his own personal health challenges which caused him to end his career a lot earlier than he would have hoped. He has inspired my son and so many others to rise to the occasion. I hope his message will reach out and touch those who may need a few words of encouragement.

"I have made a living of finding silver linings, and keeping myself prepared for when opportunities arise, they always will. Luck is what happens when preparedness meets opportunity through keeping an open mind and constant vigilance. Good luck to you all."

 

[stella]

Cop out? Excuse? Ummm, no.

Reality? Ummm, yes.

You cannot give "affirmative" action to any candidate without having to discriminate against another.

As I understand it, the vast majority of appointments remain to folks who are NOT URMs (in terms of race/ethnicity and geographic URMs). Therefore, the question I wonder is what causes one non URM to be chosen over another?
I imagine that knowing the answer to this is not likely ever to happen. Most folks we know who have received appointments to any of the SAs are white males. Why them over the others who were not chosen?

S

 

[newtoallthis]

Ironic maybe?

If a midshipman were to publicly question the decision making process at the Naval Academy as much as the people on these message boards do, how well would that go over?

 

[burnerafter16]

Getting an appointment is one thing.
Staying in and graduating is another.
There is no secret formula to admissions criteria.
They have a quota to fill, they find qualified candidates but unfortunately, there's never enough slots for the number of qualified candidates.
Is this fair?
If you know you have better qualifications than somebody who gets in-then probably not.
But the reality is: unless you sit at the admissions board and have to vote red or green whether a candidate gets in or not?
It's all speculation.

Even if you're given an appointment because of your athletic prowess, you still have to get through academic demands. It's unfortunate that in this day and age we still have to check off a box that designates race. Discussions about affirmative action diversity versus a majority of accepted applicants is divisive and goes against the grain of the ideals of what this great nation stands for. The young people that put in the time and effort to compete for an appointment did so for the service of their nation. Let us show class and grace if denied admission-and refrain from assigning blame. The admission process is not perfect but it is what we have to work and live with. Congratulations to the class of 2017!
Thank you for volunteering to serve your country