Admissions Forum 5/21

Stage4survivor

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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May 18, 2009
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We were invited to a 2 hour in-person forum in Brooklyn, has anyone attended one of these?
Any feedback is appreciated, we're in the very early stages of inquiry to attend the USNA for my 16 yo son, a sophmore in catholic HS.
 
We took our son to a USNA admissions forum in Dallas this past fall. It was very informative - I'd definitely go if you can. We saw a slide show, heard from an admissions rep, a current mid, reps from our local members of congress, etc... We got some great info. and our son got a USNA t-shirt (a prized possession!). We had to drive a couple of hours each way to attend, but it was well worth the trip. :smile:
 
Took my mid to a similar discussion/forum as a sophmore as well. These tend to be information sessions about USNA and what's involved in applying. You are not starting the process to early.

The biggest thing your son needs to understand is admission to a service academy is a process that requires his focus and dedication for the next 3 years. Plain and simple the service academies are some of the hardest colleges to gain admission to in the US. Academicly, he needs to plan out the next 3 years of highschool so that he is focused on math & science classes and raising the bar to mostly AP classes by his junior and senior years. Overall he should be focused on a GPA goal that puts him in the top 10% of his class.

Athletics need to be factored in as well as extra- carricular activities that show you have leadership potential. Character matters - schools suspensions or a serious brush with the law are to be avoided at all costs.

As I stated this is a process and attending that meeting will be but a first very small step. Best of luck.
 
Quite frankly, I'm looking at this forum as a motivational tool. He's very bright, very athletic but, doesn't seem to be a leader, content to be in the middle of the "pack". Likes the military, especially USMC and SEALS.
As a former HM2, offered the opportunity to go MSC, I'm supportive but, want him to graduate college first instead of reversing it like I did.
We plan to visit schools this summer, including Annapolis.
Teenage boys are hard to "read"!
 
I agree I started attending admissions forums when I was in 7th grade, I know a little excessive but I wanted to stay up to date with information and also wanted to talk to current mids, etc. about the Academy every chance I had. And, also just to make sure I was on the right track, etc. They are definitely motivational!
 
Quite frankly, I'm looking at this forum as a motivational tool. He's very bright, very athletic but, doesn't seem to be a leader, content to be in the middle of the "pack". Likes the military, especially USMC and SEALS.
As a former HM2, offered the opportunity to go MSC, I'm supportive but, want him to graduate college first instead of reversing it like I did.
We plan to visit schools this summer, including Annapolis.
Teenage boys are hard to "read"!

Hmm if he is really interested in the Marines or the SEALs then he has a side to him that does not want to be just "middle of the pack." The SEALs for one are some of the best trained military forces in the world. If he is the same type of teenage boy as me then he does want to stand out and be the best. but it's high school; where those who stand out often find themselves alone.

I would encourage him to look at the Academy or NROTC and then later the SEALs.

Class of '13!!
 
Hmm if he is really interested in the Marines or the SEALs then he has a side to him that does not want to be just "middle of the pack." The SEALs for one are some of the best trained military forces in the world. If he is the same type of teenage boy as me then he does want to stand out and be the best. but it's high school; where those who stand out often find themselves alone.

I would encourage him to look at the Academy or NROTC and then later the SEALs.

Class of '13!!
Yes, the Marines and the SEALS are the elite but, to join their ranks ESPECIALLY as officer, requires hard work and significant effort! We'll see if this forum can inspire him.
 
Quite frankly, I'm looking at this forum as a motivational tool. He's very bright, very athletic but, doesn't seem to be a leader, content to be in the middle of the "pack". Likes the military, especially USMC and SEALS.
As a former HM2, offered the opportunity to go MSC, I'm supportive but, want him to graduate college first instead of reversing it like I did.
We plan to visit schools this summer, including Annapolis.
Teenage boys are hard to "read"!

I (as a mom) was having the exact same feelings about my own "hard to read" son a little over a year ago. He already had all the right pieces of the puzzle in order to put together a strong application, but was lacking a little direction. We went to a West Point admissions information meeting (AIM) and he left knowing that being an officer in the military was what he wanted to do. If USNA puts on half as good a show as WP, believe me, your son will leave motivated! Heck, after it was over, I wanted to join! After a very stressful year, and an incredibly circuitous route, my son is off the University of Idaho on an Army ROTC scholarship this fall. Good luck!:smile:
 
I doubt this website will work as a "motivator", it's more a source for information after you (more specifically, your son) starts looking into a military career, and more specifically, a service academy or a ROTC path.

I think you might want to take your son to a military base, or enroll him in a JROTC program if you want to motivate him for a military officer's career.

JMHO
 
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