USNA Info

USMA2020

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2013
Messages
191
Everyone is probably getting super tired of me posting, but I really am trying to get some information on each of the academies. So could someone please give me some info on USNA? I really want to go to a SA, because at this point my biggest goal is to serve this country. And despite my username, my dad was in the Navy, and that is where my few family members in the military are. OK, I can think of one that I don't know really.

Ashleigh
 
As of now, you're still a Freshman, like me, which makes your best source of information the website itself. Until you're a junior or senior, where most of the admissions stuff takes place, you'll just be lurking the forum :p
 
As of now, you're still a Freshman, like me, which makes your best source of information the website itself. Until you're a junior or senior, where most of the admissions stuff takes place, you'll just be lurking the forum :p

Second that. If I've learned one thing from the forums it's that you're much better off getting information if you ask specific questions.

In relation to that, keep working hard but RELAX. Seriously. It's good to want to get ahead of the game but don't get too far ahead of yourself. All those fresh Ensigns that you'll see on the I-day of your plebe summer, are still currently Plebes, counting down the days until Herndon and longing for the now gone days of freedom you currently have. It's good to be excited, but your time will come. Enjoy high school, don't get too far ahead of yourself or you'll miss it.
 
Look for Academy Info Sessions

For introductions to all the Service Academies, I recommend you get in touch with your local MOC office and find out if and when they will be having an Academy Information Night. You need to get on the MOC contact list. Typically these occur in the early fall or late summer. It's a great place to get introduced to the five service academies (if Coast Guard attends), the nomination process, and is a place to interact with academy reps and grads. Freshman or Sophomore year is not too soon to attend! FYI, sometimes Field Force Reps (FFR) or Liason Officers (ALO, MALO) are also at local college fairs but that can be hit/miss.
 
Definitely read the catalog that suddensam posted, I read that when I first got into USNA and it really helped me out. Also look at the whole website, it has good information overall and you can read up on the admissions process.

I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Naval-Academy-Candidate-Book/dp/0979794315. Definitely not essential, but if you have a few extra bucks to spend, get it, because it's a pretty helpful book, IMO.

And read the stickies, they are helpful.
 
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As of now, you're still a Freshman, like me, which makes your best source of information the website itself. Until you're a junior or senior, where most of the admissions stuff takes place, you'll just be lurking the forum :p
I know, but this computer is crazy and none of the websites are very co operative on this computer. Besides, it is best that I start now, with my mom's lack of co operation on my choice of a military career.

Love the signature. ;)

Ashleigh
 
Second that. If I've learned one thing from the forums it's that you're much better off getting information if you ask specific questions.

In relation to that, keep working hard but RELAX. Seriously. It's good to want to get ahead of the game but don't get too far ahead of yourself. All those fresh Ensigns that you'll see on the I-day of your plebe summer, are still currently Plebes, counting down the days until Herndon and longing for the now gone days of freedom you currently have. It's good to be excited, but your time will come. Enjoy high school, don't get too far ahead of yourself or you'll miss it.
OK. I do know that and I am trying, but patience is something I need to work on. I will see what I can do about researcing and then figure out what specific questions to ask.

Ashleigh
 
For introductions to all the Service Academies, I recommend you get in touch with your local MOC office and find out if and when they will be having an Academy Information Night. You need to get on the MOC contact list. Typically these occur in the early fall or late summer. It's a great place to get introduced to the five service academies (if Coast Guard attends), the nomination process, and is a place to interact with academy reps and grads. Freshman or Sophomore year is not too soon to attend! FYI, sometimes Field Force Reps (FFR) or Liason Officers (ALO, MALO) are also at local college fairs but that can be hit/miss.
How do I find out about this? I haven't been able too.

Ashleigh
 
Definitely read the catalog that suddensam posted, I read that when I first got into USNA and it really helped me out. Also look at the whole website, it has good information overall and you can read up on the admissions process.

I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Naval-Academy-Candidate-Book/dp/0979794315. Definitely not essential, but if you have a few extra bucks to spend, get it, because it's a pretty helpful book, IMO.

And read the stickies, they are helpful.
OK, thanks. I bet everyone is glad to see that I am finally doing my research. I will check the library for the book, and if they don't have it I will get them to get it for me inter library loan.

Ashleigh
 
If you want to know about Academy days in your area, google search to find out who your congressman/senators are. Call their office and ask to speak to the person who handles the Academy Nominations. They will know. You might also want to reach out to the BGO (Blue Gold Officer) for your high school. Your guidance office will know. If they don't, there is a list of State coordinators w/ emails on the USNA website. They can tell you. Also, if you want to know about some of the difference between the academies feel free to send me a PM. I am a USMA grad and my son will be a member of USNA 2017.
 
The fact that you have identified your interest in attending a service academy at this early date, in addition to frustrating you, also provides you with additional time to position yourself for your campaign to earn an offer of appointment to a SA. Meet with your guidance counselor and discuss your interest - take a parent if your counselor is a naysayer re the SA's. Do your best to ensure that you will be able to take the best courses available to prepare you for college in a Bachelor of Science program; ie, AP level courses in chemistry with lab, calculus, physics, grammar and composition, plus courses in geometry, trigonometry, etc.
Go to the admissions sites for the SA's in which you are interested and find your local liaison officer. NAVY uses zip codes to organize its liaison system, so locate your Area Coordinator and shoot off an email or phone call and identify yourself and explain your quandry. The AC will set you up with a contact person - may or may not be your BGO, but plugged into the admissions process - who can help you with your immediate questions and advise you of any events in your state or area that can give you more information on USNA, including congressional events, OPINFO midshipmen visits, college fairs, admissions forums, etc. Be sure your parents attend with you, especially if they have questions or concerns.
Another course of action for you is to apply for STEM now and NASS later, or check into www.navysports.com for a sports camp of interest, any of which will get you to Annapolis to see the school for yourself. The Yard (campus) is open most every day of the year, except Christmas, and you can tour casually or on a guided tour. Also, Admission now is located in Halsey Fieldhouse just inside Gate 1 and it provides admissions briefs every day except Sunday - they are walk in.
Start planning to take the SAT and ACT exams in the next few months and work on taking them until you are comfortable that you have scored the best grades you can. As a guideline you really need to have your math scores at 700+ (SAT) or 30+ (ACT) if you want to be competitive. People get in with lesser scores, but the lower your grades, the more agonizing will be your waiting - in my casual observation.
I believe you are on the right track for this stage in your pursuit, but in the long run you really do need to get to Annapolis and see the school for yourself. Don't hesitate to ask questions! Best wishes to you... it will seem like an eternity, but it is a great opportunity!
 
BTW, there is a series of books on the market with the general heading of "The Candidate's Guide to the _______________ Academy. They are a little pricey, but I know the Naval Academy version is very informative about virtually every facet of applying for an appointment and a nomination (two very separate processes). They have many interviews with people who are involved in selecting appointees and nominees as well as midshipmen, graduates, professors, etc. It adds a good bit of meat to the bones provided by www.usna.edu/Admissions.
 
BTW, there is a series of books on the market with the general heading of "The Candidate's Guide to the _______________ Academy. They are a little pricey, but I know the Naval Academy version is very informative about virtually every facet of applying for an appointment and a nomination (two very separate processes). They have many interviews with people who are involved in selecting appointees and nominees as well as midshipmen, graduates, professors, etc. It adds a good bit of meat to the bones provided by www.usna.edu/Admissions.
Thanks for the help, I will take a look at all of this. I hope I haven't caused to much trouble. I am trying to learn how these forums work.

Ashleigh
 
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