Ask a MIDN

@SCubb

You put in preferences August of your 1/C year. But by the end of your 2/C year, you should have a good idea of what you want to do because you will request a cruise with your community of choice. For instance, people who want to do EOD will go with an EOD unit. People who want to fly will head to an aviation unit or do powered flight program where they get their initial flight qualifications.


I came into the academy thinking about SWO but after my youngster cruise, I decided it was not the community for me. I am looking for more of a lifestyle and feeling of community. I just didn't fit super well with the officers or enlisted. Over plebe year I realized all the upper class I would follow anywhere were going marine corp. So I started thinking about that. I know I don't want an office job and am not motivated enough for infantry or combat arms so I started thinking aviation. I have also started thinking subs but female subs is the most competitive service selection out of the academy. Even more selective than EOD or SEALS.

I found out this past week that I am no longer eligible to fly or go subs so I don't really know what I am going to do. I may be able to get waivers but I won't know until 1/C year most likely. So Marine Ground is my new 1st choice. At the end of the day, I can't do anything to change things. Many people at the academy get DQd from a service selection for various issues. It sucks but I believe that I will end up wherever I am supposed to be and worrying about it now won't help.

You should pick a community that you fit in with. Summer training opportunities and meeting officers on the yard give you a good idea of where you belong. You put in your preferences and you hope that your community wants you as well.
 
This summer I will be going on leave to a nation in Africa to do service work. I will then be a plebe summer squad leader for 1st set( first 25 days). After that, I go out to California for PROTRAMID.

Last summer I took leave and backpacked Europe then went to Canada for NOLS and finished with a surface cruise in Japan.
 
Thanks for posting! Marine Ground is a pretty good deal... as a former Marine Ground MOS. The great part, you can do so many things. And it can vary by the unit you are attached to. Definitely talk to anyone and everyone you can about MOSs, units, etc.
 
How would you say being a homeschooler has impacted you and your success? Any advice you’d give to other homeschoolers? Things to definitely do or not to do?
 
@RiverwoodMama

Yes, I would say it has impacted me in good and bad ways. The academy is a lot like high school according to my peers who went to public high school. I never went through that and so I had to learn how to survive in that environment that most people had been in for four years. I was also not used to be around people 24/7. I really struggled socially especially plebe year. That has gotten better this year and I think will continue to get better as everyone matures.

Academically homeschooling set me up really well. It was a challenge getting back into a classroom because of how much of a time drain it can be but I was very good at time management and study skills compared to a lot of my classmates.

I can answer specific questions on a homeschool application but I don't have that much general advice. Try to stay involved and connected to the community and work on people skills. This goes for everyone, not just homeschoolers. Once you get to the Academy don't let this place tell you to change just because you are different. It is okay to be different as long as you are 100% you.
 
Excellent insights from @Engineer2021

From a different perspective - we have sponsored many homeschooled mids over the years. The social immersion and rough and tumble of figuring out who you are amongst people from a wide variety of backgrounds but generally very smart, confident, competitive and driven, can be very intense to those not used to being around dozens of classmates, much less hundreds, as well as roommates and living in company area.

Any activities that provide social interaction, practice with boundary-setting, confidence-building, will be helpful. One of our sponsor alumni, a remote ranch home-schooler, confessed to me years later she was fine with the school work but felt very out of place socially, as well as very young, though the same age. She felt very inexperienced in groups as well as with lovelife issues away from the safety of home. What helped her at USNA was playing her cello with the midshipman chamber group and one of the midshipman church groups. Once she found friends with similar interests, the pressure eased off. She remained her own person and quickly built her social skills.
 
Just wondering what your SAT's and grades were in High School. Also, what ECA's did you have prior to applying to USNA.
 
800 Math
720 English
According to my academic record at the academy.

This got converted from my ACT scores which were 34 math, 32 English, 34 reading, 34 science. I was told that my SATs counted heavier since I was homeschooled and they couldn't judge my grades off of my peer group.

I finished high school with two Bs one in Calc 3 and the other one in College Chem 2. Both were my senior year.

2 varsity level sports
3-4 community service things that I did for multiple years
Part-time job
Robotics competitions
Sea Cadets

I can't remember what else I put on there.
 
Engineer2021 is a prime example of what we "veterans" here preach -- be prepared to service select something you may not have expected. All sorts of things can happen along the road from candidate to 1/C. Some things (grades) are within your control and others (medical conditions) are not. USNA offers lots of great options but your choices may be narrowed for various reasons. Keeping an open mind and being flexible will help you in the long run.
 
Engineer2021 said:
800 Math
720 English
According to my academic record at the academy.

This got converted from my ACT scores which were 34 math, 32 English, 34 reading, 34 science. I was told that my SATs counted heavier since I was homeschooled and they couldn't judge my grades off of my peer group.

I finished high school with two Bs one in Calc 3 and the other one in College Chem 2. Both were my senior year.

2 varsity level sports
3-4 community service things that I did for multiple years
Part-time job
Robotics competitions
Sea Cadets

I can't remember what else I put on there.[/QU
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Thanks for posting. I am trying to figure out if I am a viable candidate. I just took my SAT's in March and received a 740 in Math and a 680 in Reading. I have played Varsity Hockey for 4 years, starting as a Freshman in High School and JV Baseball. I also play on a Rugby team outside of my High School for the past two years. I have been selected to go to Boys State this Summer and looking forward to it. My unweighted GPA is 3.94 and I have taken mostly AP or Honors courses. I also have a part-time job. I know that the USNA is so competitive, so I am just trying to figure out in my mind if I should apply 2024 or go the ROTC route. I am planning on retaking my SAT's to try and get as close to the 1500 combined number.

Again, thank you for posting your Stats. BTW... do you recommend any thing else I can add to my resume that would be helpful?
 
CJM said:
I know that the USNA is so competitive, so I am just trying to figure out in my mind if I should apply 2024 or go the ROTC route. .
Click to expand...

If USNA is what you want to do, why wouldn't you apply ? Yes, its competitive, but 100% of those that don't apply don't get in.

If you are looking at whether you will get accepted, there are many "chance me" threads on this Forum, and none of them are particularly helpful. There is a typical class profile at the USNA.edu website, and that does a good job identifying the type of statistics USNA is looking for. Beyond that, there are a lot of variables that simply aren't reported , including getting nominations, how competitive your district is, how well you do on CFA, personal statements, interviews etc.
 
CJM said:
I know that the USNA is so competitive, so I am just trying to figure out in my mind if I should apply 2024 or go the ROTC route.
Click to expand...
Agree with the sound advise of @Old Navy BGO above regarding applying to USNA, but would add the question - why wouldn't you apply to both USNA and NROTC? USNA is a great option but only if your goal is to become a Naval Officer. NROTC is another great route toward that goal and is plan A for many.

Explore all options and good luck.
 
Our Mid was home schooled also. When he started the process we advised him to have some back-up plans in case of no appointment. His back-up was N-ROTC which he used when he didn't get an appointment. His goal was to become a Naval Officer and both paths get you to the same place, so as others have suggested, do both! Also, concentrate on all aspects of who you are what you can put forward to get a great package (WCS). Tests scores alone won't do it - DS has a 1580 SAT and 36 on the ACT so some other reason kept him out his first try (he was a successful re-applicant though, and is currently 2nd class). We'll see his happy face this weekend for Easter in Annapolis. Also, apply for the scholarships for ROTC. If you get one of those its a big cost reducer for tuition.
 
CJM said:
Thanks for posting. I am trying to figure out if I am a viable candidate. I just took my SAT's in March and received a 740 in Math and a 680 in Reading. I have played Varsity Hockey for 4 years, starting as a Freshman in High School and JV Baseball. I also play on a Rugby team outside of my High School for the past two years. I have been selected to go to Boys State this Summer and looking forward to it. My unweighted GPA is 3.94 and I have taken mostly AP or Honors courses. I also have a part-time job. I know that the USNA is so competitive, so I am just trying to figure out in my mind if I should apply 2024 or go the ROTC route. I am planning on retaking my SAT's to try and get as close to the 1500 combined number.

Again, thank you for posting your Stats. BTW... do you recommend any thing else I can add to my resume that would be helpful?
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1. I'm not seeing much "leadership stuff" here. Team Captaincies, Student Council or NHS leadership, Scouts, etc. If you don't have them, STRONGLY suggest going for some big
positions at Boys State. Some guys hang back and watch but if you NEED leadership positions, it is a place to grab them.
2. Take your SATs again after studying/practicing unless you've taken them more than 3 times already.
3. As already posted- apply for ROTC in addition to USNA for a number of reasons not the least of which is "Plan B".
 
I did not post all of my stats.... I am in National Honors Society and I have been a Student Council Senator since my Freshman year. That said, I have not been a captain on any sports teams.
 
Is a chin length hair cut still required for women when entering the naval academy?

When I see online photos of women in the usna, they have longer hair. My daughter would freak if she had to get her hair cut.
 
JitsMom said:
Is a chin length hair cut still required for women when entering the naval academy?

When I see online photos of women in the usna, they have longer hair. My daughter would freak if she had to get her hair cut.
Click to expand...

At this time, incoming plebes at USNA can expect hair cuts. Men get pretty much shaved with the clippers and women get the “plebe chop” as the equivalent, if their hair isn’t short enough. As soon as PS ends, all can start re-growing to meet regular grooming standards. Hair grows fast at that age, and those inches come back quickly. It’s part of the shared misery that marks an abrupt and clear change in their lifestyles going forward. Many incoming women get their hair cut in advance and donate to Locks of Love. There are many things that may seem important now that go right out the window after those big doors at Bancroft bang shut on Induction Day.
 
Females will not have to cut their hair before plebe summer this year.
 

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