Realistic chance to get in?

A

alexlocnj

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Messages
25
hello, I am currently thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years, and I am a bit insecure about how my application looks.

In terms of academics, I have a 3.6/4 GPA, and take all Honors or AP classes.

I have about 70% of my grades A's and the rest are B's

I have not gotten my SAT and ACT scores yet.

In terms of sports (my strongest point I feel) I am part of a sailing team in the summer, I am on the school golf team in fall, swim team in winter, and lacrosse team in spring. I also play club lacrosse a bit in the summer and fall.

As for extracurriculars, I am part of student council, class cabinet(student council for my grade), relay for life committee, school dance committee, Luminary Fundraiser committee, and occasionally write for the school newspaper. I also occasionally folunteer for my Grandma's church and for the local recreation center.

My school does not do class ranks, but my best estimate would be top 25% if not top 15%.

Just curious if this would be a realistic application for when I hopefully apply, and if not where I should improve.

Thank you for all answers, hopefully you can relieve some of my stress.
 
I also have a job during the summer as a sailing instructor at a camp, if that would help.
 
alexlocnj said:
hello, I am currently thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years, and I am a bit insecure about how my application looks.
Click to expand...

If your school does not rank, then your standardized test scores will carry more weight. While most academies will try to standardize your GPA (since many schools calculate GPA differently, it's hard to compare GPA between schools), not having a class rank will likely give more weight to your standardized test scores. Seriously, make sure that you study for the ACT/SAT and make sure that you score as well as possible.

Your extracurriculars seem good, but make sure that you are prioritizing quality over quantity. You didn't mention any leadership positions in your many extracurriculars (sailing instructor maybe) - make sure that you try to fill leadership roles that are available to you. From my understanding, participation alone is not typically weighted very highly (with the exception of boys/girls state).

Overall you seem to be on a good track, but having high standardized test scores is one of your best ways to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Additionally, focusing on leadership in your extracurriculars can help you fill the leadership category, as opposed to participation, which is weighted much less.

Keep it up and I think you will have a good shot!
 
If you haven't already, you should read through the older threads like yours on this forum, in addition to the class profiles and Admissions FAQs on the USNA website. That will give you a good idea of what it takes to be competitive. Beyond that, it's really difficult to predict your chances because so much depends on who you're competing against within your congressional district.
 
Perspective said:
alexlocnj said:
hello, I am currently thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years, and I am a bit insecure about how my application looks.
Click to expand...

If your school does not rank, then your standardized test scores will carry more weight. While most academies will try to standardize your GPA (since many schools calculate GPA differently, it's hard to compare GPA between schools), not having a class rank will likely give more weight to your standardized test scores. Seriously, make sure that you study for the ACT/SAT and make sure that you score as well as possible.

Your extracurriculars seem good, but make sure that you are prioritizing quality over quantity. You didn't mention any leadership positions in your many extracurriculars (sailing instructor maybe) - make sure that you try to fill leadership roles that are available to you. From my understanding, participation alone is not typically weighted very highly (with the exception of boys/girls state).

Overall you seem to be on a good track, but having high standardized test scores is one of your best ways to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Additionally, focusing on leadership in your extracurriculars can help you fill the leadership category, as opposed to participation, which is weighted much less.

Keep it up and I think you will have a good shot!
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the reply! In regards to leadership roles, my school does not really offer any until junior and senior year, so I am going to be sure to pursue some when I get the chance. I am hoping to get the role of lacrosse and golf captain, and I am running for student council officer this May, and next year I will have the opportunity to become school president.

In regards to SAT/ACT, I was thinking that they would be important due to my slightly below average GPA, and I am beginning tutoring sessions in a few weeks to take them this fall.

Thanks again and wish me luck!
 
alexlocnj said:
Thank you so much for the reply! In regards to leadership roles, my school does not really offer any until junior and senior year, so I am going to be sure to pursue some when I get the chance. I am hoping to get the role of lacrosse and golf captain, and I am running for student council officer this May, and next year I will have the opportunity to become school president.

In regards to SAT/ACT, I was thinking that they would be important due to my slightly below average GPA, and I am beginning tutoring sessions in a few weeks to take them this fall.

Thanks again and wish me luck!
Click to expand...
Consider an editor position on the school publication.
 
jaglvr said:
alexlocnj said:
Thank you so much for the reply! In regards to leadership roles, my school does not really offer any until junior and senior year, so I am going to be sure to pursue some when I get the chance. I am hoping to get the role of lacrosse and golf captain, and I am running for student council officer this May, and next year I will have the opportunity to become school president.

In regards to SAT/ACT, I was thinking that they would be important due to my slightly below average GPA, and I am beginning tutoring sessions in a few weeks to take them this fall.

Thanks again and wish me luck!
Click to expand...
Consider an editor position on the school publication.
Click to expand...


Even outside of the naval academy, working as an editor will give you a ton of experience managing other people and writing effectively. The skills I have been given as a part of the school paper are truly priceless, and have applications far outside of journalism.
 
Im kind of in the same boat as OP. I have a 34 act, and a 3.5 unweighted GPA, but I have pretty solid extracurriculars. Im a volunteer fire fighter, an editor in chief of my school paper, president of my school's all male a Capella group, president of the sports journalism club, and Ive won best delegate at Model UN a bunch of times. Sports-wise I am captain of the football team, play golf, in addition I have wrestled and played lacrosse.

Im in all AP and Honors classes, but am I a realistic candidate?
 
alexlocnj said:
hello, I am currently thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years, and I am a bit insecure about how my application looks.

In terms of academics, I have a 3.6/4 GPA, and take all Honors or AP classes.

I have about 70% of my grades A's and the rest are B's

I have not gotten my SAT and ACT scores yet.

In terms of sports (my strongest point I feel) I am part of a sailing team in the summer, I am on the school golf team in fall, swim team in winter, and lacrosse team in spring. I also play club lacrosse a bit in the summer and fall.

As for extracurriculars, I am part of student council, class cabinet(student council for my grade), relay for life committee, school dance committee, Luminary Fundraiser committee, and occasionally write for the school newspaper. I also occasionally folunteer for my Grandma's church and for the local recreation center.

My school does not do class ranks, but my best estimate would be top 25% if not top 15%.

Just curious if this would be a realistic application for when I hopefully apply, and if not where I should improve.

Thank you for all answers, hopefully you can relieve some of my stress.
Click to expand...

Everything is important: SAT/ACT, GPA, class rank, leadership, extras. Also, you will need recommendations from your junior year English and math teachers and the school counselor. start early and shine in your classes. My DS asked for their recommendations early in the spring because similar recommendations were required by the congressman and senators. Our school has a special form to request the recommendations. They already had the recommendations completed when he requested them through the USNA portal and all they needed is to adjust a little because i think it's a question/answer format. I hope that helped him to get the appointment. Work on your personal statement, make it great and review it with your teacher or someone who can give you a good feedback. Using this forum is a great support through the application process. You can do it! Good luck.
 
Perspective said:
alexlocnj said:
hello, I am currently thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years, and I am a bit insecure about how my application looks.
Click to expand...

If your school does not rank, then your standardized test scores will carry more weight. While most academies will try to standardize your GPA (since many schools calculate GPA differently, it's hard to compare GPA between schools), not having a class rank will likely give more weight to your standardized test scores. Seriously, make sure that you study for the ACT/SAT and make sure that you score as well as possible.

Your extracurriculars seem good, but make sure that you are prioritizing quality over quantity. You didn't mention any leadership positions in your many extracurriculars (sailing instructor maybe) - make sure that you try to fill leadership roles that are available to you. From my understanding, participation alone is not typically weighted very highly (with the exception of boys/girls state).

Overall you seem to be on a good track, but having high standardized test scores is one of your best ways to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Additionally, focusing on leadership in your extracurriculars can help you fill the leadership category, as opposed to participation, which is weighted much less.

Keep it up and I think you will have a good shot!
Click to expand...
I also forgot to add that I attended a leadership development weekend with the Rotary Club a few months ago. 6 people in my entire school were selected and I was one of them. Do you think that this would help me and be weighted highly for leaderships when applying?
 
gala10 said:
alexlocnj said:
hello, I am currently thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years, and I am a bit insecure about how my application looks.

In terms of academics, I have a 3.6/4 GPA, and take all Honors or AP classes.

I have about 70% of my grades A's and the rest are B's

I have not gotten my SAT and ACT scores yet.

In terms of sports (my strongest point I feel) I am part of a sailing team in the summer, I am on the school golf team in fall, swim team in winter, and lacrosse team in spring. I also play club lacrosse a bit in the summer and fall.

As for extracurriculars, I am part of student council, class cabinet(student council for my grade), relay for life committee, school dance committee, Luminary Fundraiser committee, and occasionally write for the school newspaper. I also occasionally folunteer for my Grandma's church and for the local recreation center.

My school does not do class ranks, but my best estimate would be top 25% if not top 15%.

Just curious if this would be a realistic application for when I hopefully apply, and if not where I should improve.

Thank you for all answers, hopefully you can relieve some of my stress.
Click to expand...

Everything is important: SAT/ACT, GPA, class rank, leadership, extras. Also, you will need recommendations from your junior year English and math teachers and the school counselor. start early and shine in your classes. My DS asked for their recommendations early in the spring because similar recommendations were required by the congressman and senators. Our school has a special form to request the recommendations. They already had the recommendations completed when he requested them through the USNA portal and all they needed is to adjust a little because i think it's a question/answer format. I hope that helped him to get the appointment. Work on your personal statement, make it great and review it with your teacher or someone who can give you a good feedback. Using this forum is a great support through the application process. You can do it! Good luck.
Click to expand...

I have a pretty mediocre math teacher. Would it be possible to get the rec from a science teacher instead?
 
Hashbrowns and eggs said:
I have a pretty mediocre math teacher. Would it be possible to get the rec from a science teacher instead?
Click to expand...

No. It is very clear who they must come from. Best advise is contact the academy liaison as to how to handle something like a crappy teacher.
 
Interestingly, the math and english letter requirements are not found on the "new" admissions portion of the website. However, they are specific, and will be part of the formal application. A letter from an English teacher and one from a Math teacher. You'll be asked for email addressed to load into the app. The portion of the site for re-applicants still references the need for english and math letters of recommendation.
===

"Adhere to the following rules for your math and English letters of recommendation (this is extremely important and failure to adhere to these rules will delay your application is being reviewed):"

Keep in mind that MOC's may want letters from teachers other than math and english. Each has it's own requirements.
 
2MidsDad said:
Interestingly, the math and english letter requirements are not found on the "new" admissions portion of the website. However, they are specific, and will be part of the formal application. A letter from an English teacher and one from a Math teacher. You'll be asked for email addressed to load into the app. The portion of the site for re-applicants still references the need for english and math letters of recommendation.
===

"Adhere to the following rules for your math and English letters of recommendation (this is extremely important and failure to adhere to these rules will delay your application is being reviewed):"

Keep in mind that MOC's may want letters from teachers other than math and english. Each has it's own requirements.
Click to expand...

Can they be from my sophomore year?
 
Hashbrowns and eggs said:
2MidsDad said:
Interestingly, the math and english letter requirements are not found on the "new" admissions portion of the website. However, they are specific, and will be part of the formal application. A letter from an English teacher and one from a Math teacher. You'll be asked for email addressed to load into the app. The portion of the site for re-applicants still references the need for english and math letters of recommendation.
===

"Adhere to the following rules for your math and English letters of recommendation (this is extremely important and failure to adhere to these rules will delay your application is being reviewed):"

Keep in mind that MOC's may want letters from teachers other than math and english. Each has it's own requirements.
Click to expand...

Can they be from my sophomore year?
Click to expand...

I heard about an applicant this year who submitted a sophomore year English teacher recommendation and Addmissions wrote back stating they need the junior year.

Funny story to share: when my son was filling out the recommendation request form, it asked where the recommendation is going to, and without much knowledge about the process yet, he included all: senators, congressman, USNA, The President, since he qualifies for presidential nomination. So one of the teachers gave him a sealed recommendation letter addressed to President Trump.
 
alexlocnj said:
...thinking about applying to the naval academy in a few years...
Click to expand...
For the OP, I am not sure what "a few years" means. If it means that you are finishing 8th or 9th grade this year, that's perfect.
USNA uses the first six (6) semester grades (9th through 11th grade) to make their determination.
MY ADVICE FOLLOWS:
Rather than being just a member of various clubs, teams, and activities, try to zero in on one of your favorites and be a leader (President, Captain, etc.) there.
Continue your volunteer work at the church, and make sure USNA knows about it.
Take all the AP classes you can, and devote all the time and effort you can, to get great grades in ALL of your classes.
Take the SAT and ACT, repeatedly if necessary. If you can get an SAT score of 1350 or better and an ACT of 32 or better, you will find a lot of options opening up to you.

Hashbrowns and eggs said:
...I have a 34 act, and a 3.5 unweighted GPA...I'm a volunteer fire fighter, an editor in chief...President...President...best delegate at Model UN...Captain of the football team...I'm in all AP and Honors classes, but am I a realistic candidate?
Click to expand...

Yes. Yes you are.
 
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