Dilemma

Wcyeung123

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2015
Messages
164
Hello all,
I am facing the reality of my situation. I eager to be part of the Naval Academy community, but I do not think it is possible. I passed my CFA, got recommendations, and waiting to here back about nominations. But I cannot seem to pull up my ACT scores. The major problem is the English portion, I just cannot pull it up no matter how hard I study. Should I be looking to enlist rather than trying to be appointed to Naval Academy? Any advise is great.
 
Hello all,
I am facing the reality of my situation. I eager to be part of the Naval Academy community, but I do not think it is possible. I passed my CFA, got recommendations, and waiting to here back about nominations. But I cannot seem to pull up my ACT scores. The major problem is the English portion, I just cannot pull it up no matter how hard I study. Should I be looking to enlist rather than trying to be appointed to Naval Academy? Any advise is great.

Have you tried to take the SAT instead? Some candidates do better on one test versus the other. If you haven't done so, sign up for the SAT and also re-take the ACT again.

If your goal is to strictly serve in the Navy, then you should look into enlisting. If your goal is to serve as a Navy OFFICER, then do NOT do this yet.

There are many routes to become an officer besides USNA. Don't forget NROTC, and OCS.
Have you spoken to a PNS or officer recruiter at a Naval ROTC program? You could always enroll at an NROTC college as a college programmer and earn a place in Advanced Standing.

You should also consider other branches, such as NROTC Marine option, and AF or Army ROTC as well.

My DS was turned down by USNA, NROTC/Marine Option and never even applied to Army ROTC.
He entered a State University as a non-contract Army ROTC cadet and earned a campus scholarship before his freshman semester was completed.

His goal was to become an officer, and he found a way to keep moving forward.

Bottom line, don't give up on USNA yet, but have plans B, C, D...though Z locked and loaded!
 
I also am applying with the NROTC scholarship, I might have a greater chance than USNA. If I do not receive the scholarship, I cannot go to college financially speaking. I'm not from a privledged family, my family and I couldn't afford to go to gym, so I workout at my house everyday. Thank you all for you advise.
 
I also am applying with the NROTC scholarship, I might have a greater chance than USNA. If I do not receive the scholarship, I cannot go to college financially speaking. I'm not from a privledged family, my family and I couldn't afford to go to gym, so I workout at my house everyday. Thank you all for you advise.

Are you planning on majoring in STEM? 85% of NROTC scholarships go to STEM majors, so your chances of receiving a NROTC scholarship is greatly reduced if you are not STEM. (Except for Marine option).
 
I'm a long-time lurker but never posted on SAF until today. However, I felt compelled to comment on your dilemma. My son is Class of 2020. He has literally worked toward attending USNA since he was 8. He is a consummate leader - a quiet but resolute example to others. He had all the right ECs, community service, leadership roles, etc, because those were things he loved doing. He shows more integrity and character than befits someone his age. However, in spite of intensive personal tutoring and much studying, he never got his SAT critical reading scores up to the desired level. But he never, ever gave up on getting into USNA. And you shouldn't either.

Nobody on this forum fully understands the peculiar mix of attributes the Academy is looking for. But I know they saw something in my son besides his SAT scores. And today he is living his dream in Annapolis.

So don't give up, in spite of what anyone else might tell you. I'm not saying you shouldn't have plans B and C. My son had those. He had full rides to Va Tech, Embry-Riddle, etc, thanks to various scholarships and a 4-year AROTC scholarship. (BTW: he applied for but didn't receive an NROTC scholarship.)

What I'm saying is this: never, ever give up. Never.
 
Is English your second language? If it is, that may be a contributing factor to your English score. If English is your second language, make sure the SA is aware of that and they should take that into consideration for your score.
 
I am want to study and major in a STEM career like mechanical engineering. My background is that I am a first generation Asian American, my family has spoken to me in only in Chinese up until I entered first grade. My language is English, but every time I am around my family it is just Chinese. I was born in America, but my parents came in the 1980s. I do not know if the academy take that into consideration, I hope they do since it specifies that in the application.

I'm a long-time lurker but never posted on SAF until today. However, I felt compelled to comment on your dilemma. My son is Class of 2020. He has literally worked toward attending USNA since he was 8. He is a consummate leader - a quiet but resolute example to others. He had all the right ECs, community service, leadership roles, etc, because those were things he loved doing. He shows more integrity and character than befits someone his age. However, in spite of intensive personal tutoring and much studying, he never got his SAT critical reading scores up to the desired level. But he never, ever gave up on getting into USNA. And you shouldn't either.

Nobody on this forum fully understands the peculiar mix of attributes the Academy is looking for. But I know they saw something in my son besides his SAT scores. And today he is living his dream in Annapolis.

So don't give up, in spite of what anyone else might tell you. I'm not saying you shouldn't have plans B and C. My son had those. He had full rides to Va Tech, Embry-Riddle, etc, thanks to various scholarships and a 4-year AROTC scholarship. (BTW: he applied for but didn't receive an NROTC scholarship.)

What I'm saying is this: never, ever give up. Never.

I understand what you are saying, the academy has been in my head since I was 10 years old. And I am never out of the fight to get in as well.
 
Keep working toward your goal. Not sure how USNA Admissions/Prep school works, but my DS was in a similar situation when he applied to USMMA. He's always been a slow reader and that doesn't help test scores on a timed test. He made sure the admissions office knew that he'd accept a prep school position, if offered. Well, it was offered and he took it. Did well at prep school and he is now a plebe at USMMA. I would advise, my own DS, to try every other commissioning method (SA, ROTC, OCS) before thinking of enlisting. (I was an enlisted sailor for 20 years) Enlisting is honorable and perfectly fine for those, like me, that didn't know what to do following high school. You seem to know what you want to do. Good luck.
 
Thank you for your kind comment. I may say I want to major in a STEM career, but I aspire to serve my country the best I can by being the best.
 
Thank you for your kind comment. I may say I want to major in a STEM career, but I aspire to serve my country the best I can by being the best.
If so, would you consider another branch, such as Army? AROTC is not primarily focused on STEM like NROTC or AFROTC.
 
What was your math score? Extra curriculars, sports, etc?

Since English is your second language, you might still have a good chance at USNA or a scholarship if the rest of your package is strong. Don't give up yet - put your best foot forward and aim high!
 
The Army and AROTC seem like very great opportunities, but I do not think it is for me. It is probably from the fact that I live in a town with a lot of marine and navy vets. For me, I will be focused on getting that ACT score up. My SAT scores were worse than the ACT, so took it more times than the SAT.
 
Did you try asking your English teachers for help in raising your ACT scores? Maybe they will help you out if you explain your goals and desires. I think many teachers would be more than willing to help out someone with goals like yours.
 
I'm a long-time lurker but never posted on SAF until today. However, I felt compelled to comment on your dilemma. My son is Class of 2020. He has literally worked toward attending USNA since he was 8. He is a consummate leader - a quiet but resolute example to others. He had all the right ECs, community service, leadership roles, etc, because those were things he loved doing. He shows more integrity and character than befits someone his age. However, in spite of intensive personal tutoring and much studying, he never got his SAT critical reading scores up to the desired level. But he never, ever gave up on getting into USNA. And you shouldn't either.

Nobody on this forum fully understands the peculiar mix of attributes the Academy is looking for. But I know they saw something in my son besides his SAT scores. And today he is living his dream in Annapolis.

So don't give up, in spite of what anyone else might tell you. I'm not saying you shouldn't have plans B and C. My son had those. He had full rides to Va Tech, Embry-Riddle, etc, thanks to various scholarships and a 4-year AROTC scholarship. (BTW: he applied for but didn't receive an NROTC scholarship.)

What I'm saying is this: never, ever give up. Never.

We can second that experience. Son's grades were fairly low (for academies) 3.45 . He had that something, and is a Firstie now!

A good paid prep course does help, need to do a private tutoring session , one that will help you in your particular area of weakness. Usually the ones they do at schools are too general.
 
Apply. Do not give up. Let USNA decide if your ACT score is too low. If USNA believes you've got what it takes, they may offer you to attend the Prep School or give you a Foundation Scholarship.

Do keep trying to improve your ACT. Take a prep course. Take the SAT.

Have a back up plan.
 
Have you tried practice tests for the ACT? I mean proctored tests followed by test review with a tutor? The test reviews with a Tutor will cost some $ but its hugely effective/focused tutoring directed at the test. I have two DD s starting college this year. One is USNA CL 2020, the other girl (adopted out of China) struggled hugely in school---and with testing in particular. She scored a 17 on the ACT first time out (including a lousy English score). She found a place to take and review SAT tests; I think she did twelve of them----an ACT test became " just another day at the office". Her second recorded ACT score was a 25.

You can raise your ACT score in english. That said, broaden your net and trust in you ultimate success whatever the path.
 
Remember that being fluent in Chinese is a big plus. Surely that will help you some as they consider you.
 
Remember that being fluent in Chinese is a big plus. Surely that will help you some as they consider you.

It probably will help, while being an Asian male with presumably "low/lower" ACT score may erase that benefit. I suggest trying to improve your test scores the way @USNASWO and @Just Dad suggested.
 
You never mentioned what your English score was. One man's thinking of "not good" could be "good enough" for the academy. I am an ESL instructor and based on your posts, my observation is that you are making some very basic grammatical errors, as opposed to typos, and this could be dragging down your score. I would advise you to work with your English teacher at school and get his/her advice on how to improve your understanding of basic grammar rules and verb tense structure as well as ways to improve your vocabulary. In the meantime, register to take the ACT every time it is offered in your area. If money is a concern, talk to the guidance office at school and see if you qualify for a fee waiver. If you don't qualify and can't afford to cover the ACT testing fee, I will pay the registration costs for you to take the test three times. I am willing to make this offer to you because I believe you can do whatever you set your mind to.

Apply to the USNA and let the admissions office decide whether to accept you or not. When my DD went to CVW last fall her plebe host had an ACT score of 25.

My other advice to you is to have several back up plans and gather as many options as you can so that when it is time to make a decision, you have a lot of options to choose from.

Lastly, my husband can't write a grammatically correct sentence to save his life and he has a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. While having a good foundation in English is important, it's not a deal breaker to success. Never give up on your dreams!

I'm in the Chicagoland area and I would be happy to assist you in any way to help you improve your English. You are also welcome to PM me any time. Good luck!
 
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