Aspiring Sophomore

Hello everyone,

I am currently a Sophomore in high school and I'm set on going to the Naval Academy. My grandfather, as well as my brother both graduated from here and I want to continue the legacy.

My main question is what I should do to prepare for the application process and how to improve my chances at this early stage. I have a ~3.8 GPA (unweighted), and got a 1290 on my PSAT (650 Verbal, 640 Math). I play varsity tennis and track, code, and make music in my spare time.

Current classes:

Spanish 2
Pre-Calculus
AP Biology
Percussion (band)
Honor Sophmore English
Business Law
AP World History

Next year:

Networking (This is a 3 credit class)
AP English Language
AP Calculus
AP Physics
US History

Thanks!

Many threads about what you can and should do, so please search through this forum and you’ll find consistent advice. In a nutshell: take the hardest classes your school offers and do well in them; take the SAT and ACT to determine which one you’re better at, then take it until your scores stop improving; seek leadership positions in areas you’re passionate about and make an impact in those organizations; play varsity sports and seek to be a team captain; get to know your teachers and college counselor well, so that they can support you via reco letters. You’re smart to start thinking about this now. Good luck to you.

Wow! I'm incredibly impressed by your GPA and transcripts! I would say JROTC would be another great thing to do for preparation as well as getting a part time job (full time during summer and other school vacations) and working as many hours as you can fit into the school week without compromising on school. I would recommend Chick-fil-A, my workplace. As long as you keep up the good work I'd say you have an amazing chance at getting in. Also, don't be set on just USNA, apply to all of them. You can actually go to any Service Academy and still join the Navy. Good luck!

Dr.Wesley said:

You can actually go to any Service Academy and still join the Navy. Good luck!

Click to expand...

While this is technically true, it is not a slam dunk. I personally know of one Marine officer who cross commissioned from USMA. Both Supers had to sign off and there generally had to be a one to one exchange of officers from both Academies. USCGA will not commission to anywhere but the CG. USMMA can commission to other branches.

Here is an old thread on the topic. There are others.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/commissioning-to-a-different-branch.40859/

You have a solid start and a bit of time...
Take the real SAT multiple times to see how much you can inch that score up. My DS finally got both math and reading over 700
Keep making good grades in challenging classes
Look for leadership opportunities like club officer, team captain...
Begin prep for the CFA. My DS who is extremely fit and athletic could only do 4 “correct” pull-ups when he started prep and his basketball throw was not too hot but with prep both doubled by the day of the real test
Good luck

You seem to be on the right track. Keep at it, and read every page, link, and drop-down menu at USNA.edu.
Most questions asked on these forums are answered (and officially so) on the USNA website.

Also, learn about your Members of Congress (MOCs).
You have two (2) Senators and one (1) Representative from your Congressional District , from which to receive a Nomination.
Going to their websites and following what they do over the next year may help you with some knowledge later, in a Nomination Interview.

I mention this because - no matter how good your application is - you will not receive an Offer of Appointment without a Nomination.
The Vice President is also a nomination source for you. The President is your 5th source of a Nomination, but only if at least one of your parents served in the Military (and there are caveats to that as well).

There is no need to work during the school year, nor does USNA expect this. Some candidates do by choice — some must work to help support their family.

It’s fine if you need/want to work. Provides great experience. But don’t do so at the expense of your schoolwork unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Many candidates work during the summer. That can also be a great thing to do for many reasons. However, lots of successful candidates do other things during the summer, such as camps, sports, volunteering, summer school, etc. That’s fine too. I do recommend doing something productive for most of the summer - be sure to take some time off as well!

ask your brother!