when to apply?

futuremarine

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5-Year Member
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Jul 17, 2009
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ok so my school gives us our class rank and gpa in the fall every year. my gpa and class rank will increase tremendously from junior to senior year. right now im a sophomore. so next fall i'll have my gpa/class rank based on freshman and sophomore year, but i want to include my junior year also, so should i apply senior year?


so basically how bad would it be to begin the application process in the fall of my senior year? thanks
 
You can begin your application in late spring of your junior year and have everything done except your transcripts, which you could then send in during the fall of your senior year. Do that and you'll still be miles ahead of most people.
 
They require your official transcript to include all of your junior year anyway. So transcripts before that will only be used for NASS and stuff like that.
 
From what I've heard, the earlier you start the application, the better. If by fall you mean early September, maybe. But I know of some people in my area that got ACCEPTED in the fall; around mid-October. I'm not an expert, a BGO, or anything like that, but the one thing I've heard from every person giving me advice about the application is this: get it done EARLY, get it done AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The problem with applying so late (assuming you are deemed an official candidate by the prelim app) is that there are so many other things you need to do:

1) Get teacher recommendations
2) Take the CFA
3) Get a medical examination
4) Get all your grades, scores, transcripts assembled
5) Write the personal essays
6) Assemble a resume that highlights your leadership, athletic, and academic capabilities [not sure if a resume is mandatory]
7) Meet your BGO and schedule an interview with her/him
8) Apply for nominations from your Senators, Representative, and VP unless you meet the qualifications for a Presidential nom
9) Fill out the rest of the documentation on the CIS

So, if you can get ALL of that done in a timely manner, then you might be okay with applying in the fall. However, I know that I'll be completing all my paperwork by the summer, and the same goes for all my friends that are applying as well.

Best of luck to you!
 
You'd be well-advised to follow mammothchick's lead on this. You should plan ahead to apply for NASS on Feb 1 of your junior year. In the meantime you should be studying for and taking the SAT and ACT exams - start early so you can take them more than once if necessary to get your scores up to competitive. In a period when applications are increasing in number it is in your best interest to start early and keep on track. Last year this area had four candidates receive LOA's by the end of the first week of school, and all four received offers subsequently. Ever hear "...He who hesitates is lost..."? You need to get time on your side and take full advantage of it - you never know what advantage will be the one to put you over the top. Don't waste your time trying to game the system - JUST DO IT! Best wishes, but hard work wins the day.
 
Think of it this way. The later you apply the more spots they've already given out. I was done in September and early accpeted on Halloween, minus the nomination. Interviews were later in Nov. As soon as I got one they sent an official official acceptance in dec. Early early early, august if you can.
 
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