Factors Influencing Appointment

turtle7584

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Jan 9, 2019
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86
Hello all,
though this is my first post here I just have a few direct questions concerning types of factors influencing one's appointment and if it is worth the stress of applying. I'm a junior currently in Pasadena MD. Heres a background of my physical and academic achievements: 3.78 UW GPA, 1310 SAT (660M 650E), ranked 8/335, AP background (enrolled in 8 total), FBLA, student government, NHS, Varsity XC & Track 3 yrs, tutoring, church group, part-time employment, volunteering, etc.
Questions of concern I have are:
1) Considering I live 20minutes away from the academy, how will that influence my strength of application?
2) Does the USNA look at legacy? (EX. my father served 20+ yrs enlisted, Brother is C/o 2019)
3) My father is 100% disabled and I should be able to receive the respective nomination. How does this nomination rank up to others? Are my changes better, worse, negligible?
4) Does ethnicity play a role in the application? I've read several posts that the USNA promotes diversity in its student body.
5) Do I seem like a well-qualified candidate? Do I look sub-par, average, or better as a candidate?
Thank you for your time and appreciate your responses.
 
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@bpenafiel79
Want to preface by saying I am a current Midshipman at USNA C/0 2022.

Initially, your statistics and extracurriculars seem very good. It is important to be well rounded and it seems like you have that box checked. My application included similar activities and statistics. I will do my best to answer the questions you have even with my limited experience and knowledge. Please do not take what I say as official word as I am answering with my own personal experience.

1) The Annapolis/DC/Baltimore area is one of the most highly populated areas of the country in which candidates apply. With this comes competition that you would not find in other districts. Distance from the academy, however, has no influence on your application.
2) USNA definitely looks at legacy. Your brother is a sign that shows that you most likely will be able to make it through the 4 years at the academy as well. The admissions board takes that into account. I am unsure if your father's service will have an impact but it cannot hurt you. In addition, I am thankful for his service.
3) I am uneducated in this area so I do not want to leave you with false information.
4) USNA looks for the best possible candidates while also striving to maintain a diverse student body from many regions, ethnicities, races, religions, backgrounds, etc. It plays a role in some capacity.
5) By looking at your statistics, it seems as if you are a well-qualified candidate. I know many people with statistics much worse and on the flip side much better than yours who have all gotten in. The admissions department looks holistically at the candidate to make their decision. Right now, once again with my extremely unimportant opinion, I would say you seem above average.

If you have additionally questions I would be happen to do my best to answer them. Good luck throughout the process! Go Navy, Beat Army!
 
@bpenafiel79
Want to preface by saying I am a current Midshipman at USNA C/0 2022.

Initially, your statistics and extracurriculars seem very good. It is important to be well rounded and it seems like you have that box checked. My application included similar activities and statistics. I will do my best to answer the questions you have even with my limited experience and knowledge. Please do not take what I say as official word as I am answering with my own personal experience.

1) The Annapolis/DC/Baltimore area is one of the most highly populated areas of the country in which candidates apply. With this comes competition that you would not find in other districts. Distance from the academy, however, has no influence on your application.
2) USNA definitely looks at legacy. Your brother is a sign that shows that you most likely will be able to make it through the 4 years at the academy as well. The admissions board takes that into account. I am unsure if your father's service will have an impact but it cannot hurt you. In addition, I am thankful for his service.
3) I am uneducated in this area so I do not want to leave you with false information.
4) USNA looks for the best possible candidates while also striving to maintain a diverse student body from many regions, ethnicities, races, religions, backgrounds, etc. It plays a role in some capacity.
5) By looking at your statistics, it seems as if you are a well-qualified candidate. I know many people with statistics much worse and on the flip side much better than yours who have all gotten in. The admissions department looks holistically at the candidate to make their decision. Right now, once again with my extremely unimportant opinion, I would say you seem above average.

If you have additionally questions I would be happen to do my best to answer them. Good luck throughout the process! Go Navy, Beat Army!

I wish you could take private messages so I could ask about my son.
 
The only way you will know is if you apply. On the surface your stats look pretty good, but can always improve. You know your area is competitive, that isn’t news to you though. The good news is you qualify for a service connected Nom on top of applying for your other nom sources. Ensure to apply for them all. A nom is a nom, you will qualify for one out the gate which is more than many. Your brother being a Mid might add a point or two, but won’t really impact admissions greatly. Compare your resume to the class profile. See where you are weak and work on it. Keep taking the ACT/SAT. Create a study plan and keep raising those. Ensure you are taking Calc, Chem and Physics. Look for leadership opportunities this summer and senior year. You absolutely won’t get in unless you apply. Good luck.
 
Hello all,
though this is my first post here I just have a few direct questions concerning types of factors influencing one's appointment and if it is worth the stress of applying. I'm a junior currently in Pasadena MD. Heres a background of my physical and academic achievements: 3.78 UW GPA, 1310 SAT (660M 650E), ranked 8/335, AP background (enrolled in 8 total), FBLA, student government, NHS, Varsity XC & Track 3 yrs, tutoring, church group, part-time employment, volunteering, etc.
Questions of concern I have are:
1) Considering I live 20minutes away from the academy, how will that influence my strength of application?
2) Does the USNA look at legacy? (EX. my father served 20+ yrs enlisted, Brother is C/o 2019)
3) My father is 100% disabled and I should be able to receive the respective nomination. How does this nomination rank up to others? Are my changes better, worse, negligible?
4) Does ethnicity play a role in the application? I've read several posts that the USNA promotes diversity in its student body.
5) Do I seem like a well-qualified candidate? Do I look sub-par, average, or better as a candidate?
Thank you for your time and appreciate your responses.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it almost sounds like you are looking for reasons NOT to apply. Do you want to attend the Naval Academy? Then of course it is worth the stress of applying! Know in your heart this is what you want. Keep up, and work on improving your grades. Take the SAT again. Write essays that show why you belong at USNA. Apply for NROTC scholarships, because in the end, you goal is to become a Naval Officer. All the other points of where you live, legacy status, ethnicity... These are all things beyond your control. You can't change those things. But do the things that you can within your control. Do you want to attend USNA? Then apply. There will be stress. ALL applicants have stress!
 
@bpenafiel79, with all due respect, if the “stress of applying” worries you, then what about the “stress of making it through plebe summer,” “stress of surviving plebe year,” “stress of serving on active duty” — all of which make the mere act of applying seem like child’s play. You have to want to be a commissioned officer, and you have to want to get there via arguably the hardest path.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into your statement, but I encourage you to carefully consider your motivations. Because, should you ultimately receive offer of appointment, then applying to USNA might be the easiest thing you do for the next nine years.
 
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Gotta agree with @brewmeist on this one. @bpenafiel79, with all due respect, it sounds like you’re backing into USNA if you’re worried about whether it’s “worth the stress of applying.”

Because if the “stress of applying” worries you, then what about the “stress of making it through plebe summer,” “stress of surviving plebe year,” “stress of serving on active duty” — all of which make the mere act of applying seem like child’s play.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into your statement, but I encourage you to carefully consider your motivations. Because, should you ultimately receive offer of appointment, then applying to USNA might be the easiest thing you do for the next nine years.

What I meant by the stress is that is my background qualified enough to make an attempt for applying? I meant in terms of I am not fully aware of where I stand as an applicant. In other words, considering all of the factors I listed and the background I have, do I seem like a qualitfying candidate for the institution? If not, I would rather my focus be on applying to NROTC scholarships and maybe considering other SAs.
 
So you’re asking us to “chance you.” Look at the many “chance me” threads here and you’ll find a common theme: No one on this forum can tell you your chances. There’s just not enough information and too many variables. You can look at USNA’s Class of 2022 profile and see where you stand stats-wise, but that’s still an oversimplification.

That said, it still comes down to how bad you want it. Those who want it bad enough don’t get overly caught up in their chances. They do their very best, make their strongest case, submit a thoughtful application and let things unfold.
 
None of us can tell you if you will get in. You have to make an assessment of your profile and compare it against a class profile. Have you done that yet? Where do you think your record stands after that? Have you contacted a BGO and reviewed your record for areas of improvement? Have you taken the key courses? Do you have a standardized test study plan? When do you plan to retake them? Be proactive and do some work to form an informed opinion on your own.
 
1) Considering I live 20minutes away from the academy, how will that influence my strength of application?
2) Does the USNA look at legacy? (EX. my father served 20+ yrs enlisted, Brother is C/o 2019)
3) My father is 100% disabled and I should be able to receive the respective nomination. How does this nomination rank up to others? Are my changes better, worse, negligible?
4) Does ethnicity play a role in the application? I've read several posts that the USNA promotes diversity in its student body.
5) Do I seem like a well-qualified candidate? Do I look sub-par, average, or better as a candidate?

1) Ditto Navy2022's comments
2) Legacy (parent) makes very little difference. If your brother has done well at USNA, that could help a bit. It won't be determinative in any way. There are siblings at USNA and many, many situations when one sibling is appointed and another is not.
3) You will get a nom. I suggest you apply for others b/c, like a Pre nom, this type of nom is not competitive. It may be all you need or may not. To my knowledge, it's not viewed "differently" than any other source (other than child of MOH recipient).
4) Ditto Navy2022's comments. Also, you can't change your race/ethnicity, so worrying about that is a waste of energy.
5) Review the sticky on "What are my chances."

For most h.s. students applying to competitive colleges/universities, the process is stressful. For many, this will be the first time in their lives that they've actually been denied/told no/not received something they really wanted and worked hard for.

If you want to avoid stress in the process, apply only to "safety" schools. Otherwise, understand this can be a stressful time, but it is for everyone and is just one of many times in your adult life that there will be stress and uncertainty. Welcome to life.

Finally, if you're thinking of applying to USNA just b/c your brother did it or likes it or you parents want you to do so, please reconsider. There are many families where one child attends a SA and others do incredibly well at civilian universities. SAs aren't for everyone and there's absolutely nothing wrong with saying, "that isn't what I want" and pursuing YOUR dream.
 
bpenafiel,

I encourage you to apply and see what happen, after you spending sometime to study to boost your test scores this spring. It will help your applications to the academy and other universities because of where you live.

There are many siblings in the brigade. It may give you a boost if you are deemed competitive. I believe having a father served will also help you because you have a better understanding of what service to the country means.

I suggest asking the mods to change your screen name. It led me to believe I know your brother and have met your family. I remember seeing your father running with your brother on the yard. I hope he is doing okay.
 
What I meant by the stress is that is my background qualified enough to make an attempt for applying? I meant in terms of I am not fully aware of where I stand as an applicant

100% of those who don't apply DO NOT get in....one of the few absolute statements that can be made about the USNA admissions process.

If you are worried about stress....you are contemplating the wrong line of work. The truth is (and I am sure none of the candidates who are eagerly watching their emails for notice recognize this), that the Admissions process is only self induced stress about things largely outside your control. You submit the best application you can, then you either get in or you don't. Don't stress over things you can't control.
 
“AP background (enrolled in 8 total), FBLA, student government, NHS, Varsity XC & Track 3 yrs, tutoring, church group, part-time employment, volunteering, etc.”
When you do start your application to USNA make sure you are discussing leadership involvement instead of clubs you’ve been involved in. The academies are looking for leadership potential, not just involvement. Your Junior year is a good year to start working your way up the leadership chain in various clubs and other activities.
 
Gotta agree with @brewmeist on this one. @bpenafiel79, with all due respect, it sounds like you’re backing into USNA if you’re worried about whether it’s “worth the stress of applying.”

Because if the “stress of applying” worries you, then what about the “stress of making it through plebe summer,” “stress of surviving plebe year,” “stress of serving on active duty” — all of which make the mere act of applying seem like child’s play.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into your statement, but I encourage you to carefully consider your motivations. Because, should you ultimately receive offer of appointment, then applying to USNA might be the easiest thing you do for the next nine years.

What I meant by the stress is that is my background qualified enough to make an attempt for applying? I meant in terms of I am not fully aware of where I stand as an applicant. In other words, considering all of the factors I listed and the background I have, do I seem like a qualitfying candidate for the institution? If not, I would rather my focus be on applying to NROTC scholarships and maybe considering other SAs.

This is such a different attitude/outlook than DS had. He went whole hog for any and everything he wanted. Started with the first due date, and kept trudging through until everything was done. He didn't concern himself with how he stacked up (other than knowing he fit the general profile). He just prepared his absolute best package and presented it. Then he moved on to the next thing. Nothing was a 'waste of time', as the summer was such a time of growth, that I could see in him. Whether or not he obtained an appointment, he developed and gained maturity and self-confidence that would do him well in his future endeavors. It's a great learning process! Ultimately he obtained an appointment (also nrotc and usafrotc) and is a usna '22 member.

Is it worth it? DS sure thought so. Nothing we do is a 'waste of time'. We learn, develop and grow from everything. Our successes and our failures! If you want it, go for it.
 
You are better than some and worse then others. The only way to get in is to apply. I would tell you to apply even if you had a 3.3 GPA and not the best stats but you really wanted to get into the Naval Academy. If you dont apply, there is a 100% chance of not geting accepted. There is going to be stress in anything you try for. If you want to get into a college without any stress of applying, I would suggest going to community college because the acceptance rate is 99.99%. So you have a lot going for you in terms of gpa, test scores, background and activities. No one here can tell you what is going to happen. I am sure there are people who are duptlicates of you that got in and duplicates that didnt get in. You just never know.
 
What I meant by the stress is that is my background qualified enough to make an attempt for applying? I meant in terms of I am not fully aware of where I stand as an applicant. In other words, considering all of the factors I listed and the background I have, do I seem like a qualitfying candidate for the institution? If not, I would rather my focus be on applying to NROTC scholarships and maybe considering other SAs.

IMHO you look qualified to apply and have the fighting chance. Even better if you’re an URM. Like others said be confident and do your homework about the Navy so you are prepared. Also apply to CIV colleges with ROTC Programs. You may do even better at CIV college if you want more freedom in college. USNA and like sister schools you’ll get 100% military experience in school within a structured environment as you may well know from your brother’s experience. USNA is not a college but a leadership academy with MIT like academic program. If that’s what you want than USNA is a great place for you. I hope you will apply and become a diligent candidate. I hope you will also apply to civilian colleges with ROTC option and earn you admissions and Appointment. Visit the schools and apply to CVW at USNA. Your path is a very competitive road to success. So if you make it than you should be determined to make it all the way! Good luck!
 
If you can apply to one service academy than you can probably apply to all 5 plus Rotc. Many of the essays & interview questions are very similar. Just do it!
 
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