One month too young for application?

I'm a year young for my grade because I skipped kindergarten, yet I never realized doing so would have such repercussions. My NASS App was invalidated because I'm apparently too young to apply. The official requirements state that I must turn 17 on the first of July, but I turn 17 on the 29th. Is there any kind of exception to be made, especially one for a 28 day difference?

Are you a senior, graduating this year? My DD couldn't even open her portal after she became a candidate until she turned 17 (also a July birthday).....an excruciating few months for her.

You might have to consider a "gap" year at another college. It actually might be a really good thing, if you make great grades they'd know you can handle academics at USNA, which could be a big boost.

EOD/SEALmom said:

Are you a senior, graduating this year? My DD couldn't even open her portal after she became a candidate until she turned 17 (also a July birthday).....an excruciating few months for her.

You might have to consider a "gap" year at another college. It actually might be a really good thing, if you make great grades they'd know you can handle academics at USNA, which could be a big boost.

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Nope, I'm a Junior, turning seventeen the July after I graduate. Is the gap year going to have to be my option, or is there some way I can get through?

I believe you will have to attend college for a year first. Not sure about now, but USNA didn't issue waivers for this in the past. You won't believe it now, but that gap year will be the best year you could do to gain maturity, experience and just general life skills. Being a 22-23 year old Lt is hard enough, a 20 year old Lt will be noticed quickly.

You should talk with an Admissions Counselor...sometimes NAPS/Foundation could be an option, as well.

Can't speak to your NASS application and it may be worth asking admissions, but to be commissioned as an officer in the US military you must be 21.

If USNA is your desired commissioning source, you will have a gap year from high school to USNA.

Think of it as material for your essays

I would talk to admissions, and see if you could apply for just the prep school. The extra year would probably be needed for your age and would help in the long run anyway

Go study aboard learn another language/culture: best material for your essays!

Cerberi said:

Can't speak to your NASS application and it may be worth asking admissions, but to be commissioned as an officer in the US military you must be 21.

If USNA is your desired commissioning source, you will have a gap year from high school to USNA.

Think of it as material for your essays

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Cerberi - I know it is not relevant to this applicant's question but do you have a regulation or DOD Instruction for the bolded part of your quote? The Early Commissioning Program (ECP) in the Army commissions 2LTs every year that are not yet 21. They are not brought onto active duty immediately as they have to finish their degree but many are not yet 21.

Cerberi said:

Can't speak to your NASS application and it may be worth asking admissions, but to be commissioned as an officer in the US military you must be 21. ...

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AROTC Parent said:

Cerberi - I know it is not relevant to this applicant's question but do you have a regulation or DOD Instruction for the bolded part of your quote? The Early Commissioning Program (ECP) in the Army commissions 2LTs every year that are not yet 21. They are not brought onto active duty immediately as they have to finish their degree but many are not yet 21.

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NVM - I found the age criteria from DOD http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/130426p.pdf Enclosure 3 section 2

The SA age limitations are in the law and thus cannot be waived. Agree that you should talk to Admissions about the best options.

I am using my brothers account. I am also in similar boat as my birthday is July 2! I will be graduating from Phillips Exeter at 16 (skipped a grade and no kindergarten). Thankfully we live in Annapolis so I can walk over to Admissions as to inquire if an age waiver is even remotely possible. I will be taking both math and chemistry classes at MIT this upcoming year as I have maxed out all of the schools available classes. I do know from talking to others at Exeter that USNA does know how evaluate our school as we use the Harkness method, so that should not hurt me as to school rankings and GPA (sat was a 1570 and act was 36 math and 34 reading I will not not re-take either exam) At this time my interest is only serving as a officer. I have read some of the previous threads, to take a gap year or go to a school for a year and then re-apply. This does bother me as I do not want to go to school for a year, as to me that would be a waste of a year. I know that if I was to do this, that I could easily test out various classes for plebe year and possibly end up having an easy 1C year or start working on my Masters early as a 1C. If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do or maybe go a different path I can open for suggestions.

On a completely different tangent, with this being I-Day for 2020, it was chaos this morning on the yard as I do my run there in AM. Both of my brothers meet some MIDs at nationals in Chicago and invited them over to the house last night for a cookout. The most awkward time is when the future MIDs/plebes meet some of the detailers as we had them over as well (we are a sponsor family for 14 detailers) , that was really AWKWARD!! I will say that it went well and everyone had a good time. A lot of last minute Q/A from parents and future MIDs/plebes. I know that plans were made for PPW later this summer as some wanted to spend last hours with their family.

I do not believe the age requirement is waiverable. It was not in the past and I do not believe it has changed. But it's always good to verify. Maybe things have changed!

I will be 100% honest. Take the extra year. Yes, USNA is very familiar with your school. Know plenty of USNA grads who attended Exeter. Graduating at 20 is not ideal. Trust me reporting to a ship at 20, it will be noticed by your Sailors. 22 seems extremely young as an officer and can be overwhelming. There are lots of new grads checking into ships right now from 21-25 years old thinking what the heck? It's great you want to be an officer, but as an adult now, don't be in such a rush to adulting. You can never go back and get that time. The youngest person in my class was a grad of your school and he met the age cut off by 1 or 2 days (he was in my Plebe Year squad). Go have some fun, travel, go to a normal college for a year and if USNA is what you want, it will happen. Your scores are top notch and your school has an amazing reputation. You are familiar with USNA, so you know that if its not waiverable, there are no exceptions. If that is the case, you got a year to figure out. Looking back now, many of us would of loved to be in your shoes.

@Watertrap1: it's not waiverable because it's federal law:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/4346

I started early and skipped a grade too, so I was barely 16 when I graduated from HS and had to wait a year. Frankly I think it puts you in a stronger position. You're obviously very well-qualified based on what you've shared so far. Although USNA does not take transfer credits, taking courses at another college for a year (as I did) sets you up to validate plebe courses and take more advanced courses. You may be able to pick up a minor or possibly another major; work with a professor on an independent research project; and/or start a Master's degree before you graduate and commission. You'll also reinforce some skills that you may have already begun to master at Exeter: strong internal motivation, time management, task prioritization, and others that will position you well among your shipmates in the Brigade.

I totally get the "come ON, let's GO!" It's hard for me on the other side to convince you it'll be okay, but it is what it is. Make the best of the year!

My DD at USNA has a friend who graduated from high school and took 2 yrs of college as a chemistry major before he was old enough for USNA. He validated a ton of classes and is doing extremely well. As others have stated, use the year to prepare. You'll be in a great situation starting at USNA and when you are a little older and on the other side of this it will seem like a minute.

Travel,travel,travel.... oh and one more thing.TRAVEL. one cannot get the same knowledge from a book that you can get from traveling. Do it while it is cheap and you are footloose and care free. My DD is enlisted AD AF and has had the opportunity to travel Western and some of Eastern Europe. Her experiences have given her a breadth and depth of cultural understanding few other 23 yr olds have. Go have fun!

Agree with Sheriff3! I traveled extensively in my early 20's - so long ago - and regret I didn't do more. Take a gap year if your dream is the academy. Entering freshman appear to be favored in merit scholarships to civilian colleges. A gap year would still enable you to be a new freshman. We have close friends whose children serve as missionaries for 2 years post high school. Both have had favorable experiences upon entering college - both maturity and merit wise.

My son who will be 18 when he graduates in May applied to his first college this morning. He is patiently (as patient as one can be) waiting for his portal to open on USMA. He is narrowing down his options and weighing the possibilities for his future.

Good luck!

I would check with admissions...I believe there might be a way to waive the age requirement (if there are waivers, it is extremely limited)...which might help for the one day next year. Obviously, MIT is a renowned college and doing well there would be a good thing.

I don't know what USNA's stance on a gap/travel year is...while other colleges encourage it...best bet is to talk to admissions. Parents, I'd ask that you don't inject what you think a candidate should do unless you understand USNA admissions. It isn't appropriate to provide a recommendation which might be the exact opposite of what USNA encourages. This is to prevent misinformation to perspective candidates.