2023 Application

[J_kapp13]

I have questions regarding the application right now.
1. If I plan on completing something in the summer, should I select it on my application (i.e Boys State in June)?
2. Should I select only varsity letters I’ve received or projected varsity letters that I will obtain my senior year (I plan on getting three more)
3. What does the High School Official fill out for the USNA Candidate Academic Information Application? Not sure if I should get a guidance counselor or a regular teacher.
4. For current studies, do I list the classes I am taking right now as well as the classes I scheduled for senior year? Do I include semester one of my junior year?

 

[THParent]

1. If I plan on completing something in the summer, should I select it on my application (i.e Boys State in June)?
"Selected for, and will attend..." and the future date would be fine.

2. Should I select only varsity letters I’ve received or projected varsity letters that I will obtain my senior year (I plan on getting three more)
"plan to letter in <insert sport here> in my senior year" would be fine. Or (if this is in your plans) "...goal is to be selected as the team captain in <insert sport here> in my senior year..."

3. What does the High School Official fill out for the USNA Candidate Academic Information Application? Not sure if I should get a guidance counselor or a regular teacher.
This is typically your Guidance Counselor. You provide USNA with an EMail address and that H.S. Ofiicial will input the data online, after receiving a link to the form via EMail.

4. For current studies, do I list the classes I am taking right now as well as the classes I scheduled for senior year? Do I include semester one of my junior year?
If they are already scheduled and there's a place to list these future classes, yes.

 

[J_kapp13]

1. If I plan on completing something in the summer, should I select it on my application (i.e Boys State in June)?
"Selected for, and will attend..." and the future date would be fine.

2. Should I select only varsity letters I’ve received or projected varsity letters that I will obtain my senior year (I plan on getting three more)
"plan to letter in <insert sport here> in my senior year" would be fine. Or (if this is in your plans) "...goal is to be selected as the team captain in <insert sport here> in my senior year..."

3. What does the High School Official fill out for the USNA Candidate Academic Information Application? Not sure if I should get a guidance counselor or a regular teacher.
This is typically your Guidance Counselor. You provide USNA with an EMail address and that H.S. Ofiicial will input the data online, after receiving a link to the form via EMail.

4. For current studies, do I list the classes I am taking right now as well as the classes I scheduled for senior year? Do I include semester one of my junior year?
If they are already scheduled and there's a place to list these future classes, yes.

Thank you! Much appreciated!

 

[J_kapp13]

Another question: I’m going to West Point SLE and will be doing the CFA there. Can I use my score there for my USNA application? Or is the CFA at West Point just practice?

 

[NavyHoops]

You can use the score for USNA also.

 

[time2]

3. What does the High School Official fill out for the USNA Candidate Academic Information Application? Not sure if I should get a guidance counselor or a regular teacher.

The official USNA website has specific instructions on various parts of the application, that is where you should start.

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/index.php#fndtn-panel5-Steps-for

In addition to completing your Candidate Academic Information, your high school counselor should mail an official transcript to USNA.

(Assuming your are asking about the USNA application, it can be updated when you have additional accomplishments to be added. The application for NASS cannot be updated once submitted.)

 

[usnabgo08]

1. If I plan on completing something in the summer, should I select it on my application (i.e Boys State in June)?
2. Should I select only varsity letters I’ve received or projected varsity letters that I will obtain my senior year (I plan on getting three more)

I asked a similar question to an admissions officer a few years back. The general rule was to be predictive in nature, however, that was stipulated with "it should be more likely than unlikely." In other words, if the odds of being a team captain is very likely, then it would be okay to mark that; however, if being the team captain is a reach, then it should not be marked.

I would note that for item #1, you can hold off submitting the Candidate Activities Record portion until completion of the event (since it is in June).

 

[J_kapp13]

In the USNA application there is an “additional information” tab. There are questions like “have you experienced an exceptional adversity we should know about?” And “have you had a unique life experience we should be aware?” I feel as if this is a good time to talk about dealing with adversities but at the same time there is nothing exceptional in my life that has affected me (i.e beating cancer, or losing immediate a family member). Would anyone agree? I don’t want to talk about something that isn’t what they’re looking for.

 

[J_kapp13]

Another question is to talk about my racial/ethnic heritage but I don’t have a significant ethnic background. Honestly, I’m a cliche white male. Should I even try to talk about an ethnic background?

 

[Kierkegaard]

If you have had exceptional adversity in your life, it's important that you let them know. However there is nothing wrong with leaving it blank if you're fortunate enough to not have anything to write. That's what the vast majority appointees do according to last year's class profile. As for the ethnicity question, just follow the instructions and answer honestly and briefly. For a white applicant I doubt it is paid much attention anyway.

 

[justdoit19]

DS thought the same things you stated above. He approached it by stating while he has been blessed and not had to battle exceptional adversity, he has had to deal with (and then stated something that showed his character). IMO, since they are trying to get to KNOW you, use this as an opportunity to show them you.

DS talked about going to a school where most kids have brand new expensive cars, sometimes two after they scratch their first. Given to them by mom and dad. And DS has to buy his own. And bought one that he could afford that needed work. And drove a beater for a while until he fixed it. Among NICE cars. He had the pride in his car that he bought it and fixed it. And a better appreciation for the amount of work it took to do just that.

It was difficult (or challenging. Or annoying) for him to be the subject of ribbing about his car. So he discussed that, and also how he is a better person for having to work and save and do the work himself.

So my point, is that you can find something if you think about it. And IMO, don’t pass the opportunity to show who you are on any question. They aren’t necessarily looking at the ‘thing’ that happened (in your case since you stated you don’t have a big adversity in your life...), rather how you dealt with it. How you managed your challenge. How you grew. And I think if you think about it a while, you can find something that you consider a challenge for you.

To the other point, lack of diversity, same with DS. He took the opportunity to talk about his experience hosting school year exchange students. Things that deepened his love and appreciation of America, through the eyes of students that don’t have the opportunities and freedoms that we do.

That is how DS approached those questions. Not saying it’s right or wrong, but it’s what he did.

Perhaps those things aren’t what ‘USNA is looking for’ in their asking the question, but absent having an obvious answer that makes sense, he took the opportunity to show them more about who he is.

 

[usnabgo08]

The directions and examples are lacking on this part of the application, therefore, it is left to a bit of interpretation.

However, what USNA is generally looking for is life changing/altering events that would explain why a candidate's application might have gaps, lack of activities/sports, poor academic record for a specific period, etc. For example, a family divorce or the death of an immediate family member; a candidate who has to work to support their family; a candidate who has to commute a distance (i.e. 1+ hours each direction) each day to/from school, etc.

 

[ders_dad]

In searching this forum, there seems to be two conflicting opinions for these two application questions: (1) Use the questions as an additional opportunity to highlight a part of your experience that may not be illustrated elsewhere or (2) use only to explain why parts of your application may be possibly lacking (supporting family and can't do sports, etc.). DS is debating if he should answer "Yes" (leaning toward "No") and I honestly don't know how to advise.

He's had two events in the last few years that could be included - (1) his very best friend in HS died of cancer (6 weeks after initial diagnosis) and this was during the only period where he had any B's (he says it's not because of his friend's death) and (2) his older brother had a very recalcitrant form of testicular cancer and DW and brother went out of state for 4 months for high dose chemo/stem cell replacement (successful, thank God) and DS had to take over cooking, watching younger brother etc. But DS points out on both counts that these circumstances don't rise to the level of mentioning in his application because they weren't "exceptional", "unique", or "adverse" - in his opinion. He feels he's an average middle-class white kid with all the advantages that goes with that and if you really want to see adversity, look at some of the immigrant kids in his school who really have to fight. I laud that opinion but is he selling himself short? I sometimes get worried during his college application process that he may be humble to a fault. I think it's really hard when you're 17 to look at your young life and see that there may have been exceptional conditions and adversities you have had to deal with. There isn't much context, especially when you feel you are a pretty lucky guy compared to your classmates.

 

[justdoit19]

In searching this forum, there seems to be two conflicting opinions for these two application questions: (1) Use the questions as an additional opportunity to highlight a part of your experience that may not be illustrated elsewhere or (2) use only to explain why parts of your application may be possibly lacking (supporting family and can't do sports, etc.). DS is debating if he should answer "Yes" (leaning toward "No") and I honestly don't know how to advise.

He's had two events in the last few years that could be included - (1) his very best friend in HS died of cancer (6 weeks after initial diagnosis) and this was during the only period where he had any B's (he says it's not because of his friend's death) and (2) his older brother had a very recalcitrant form of testicular cancer and DW and brother went out of state for 4 months for high dose chemo/stem cell replacement (successful, thank God) and DS had to take over cooking, watching younger brother etc. But DS points out on both counts that these circumstances don't rise to the level of mentioning in his application because they weren't "exceptional", "unique", or "adverse" - in his opinion. He feels he's an average middle-class white kid with all the advantages that goes with that and if you really want to see adversity, look at some of the immigrant kids in his school who really have to fight. I laud that opinion but is he selling himself short? I sometimes get worried during his college application process that he may be humble to a fault. I think it's really hard when you're 17 to look at your young life and see that there may have been exceptional conditions and adversities you have had to deal with. There isn't much context, especially when you feel you are a pretty lucky guy compared to your classmates.

I would totally vote YES to these. But then again, see my above post haha for my opinion.

As I read your post, the word HUMBLE came to mind (before you mentioned it). I advised DS to be less humble. To look at it a little differently: that the ONLY way admissions gets to know you, is through the application. There are ways to accomplish this without being boastful. And the next guy down the line may not be as humble and get that appointment (or admission). Admissions doesn’t know what isn’t told to them. His BGO will assess his fit ( humble verses jerk for example) for the academy. It’s all a big puzzle.

But I wouldn’t (and ultimately DS didn’t) shy away from presenting your best self. By nature it can be hard. But advocating for oneself is a skill everyone needs to learn.

A side note: those “other immigrants who really had to fight” are not applying. Or perhaps they are, but my point is to not sell yourself short. Your son has been preparing for great things. That time has arrived. He should not be making excuses for adversities (or other things) he does not hold. They are looking for the whole person. Perhaps his adversities aren’t as bad as his classmates, but he does hold other things that are greater than his classmates. Focus on HIM. Not compare himself to others.

And BTW, I personally feel those to be great examples. There is a lot of emotional space occupied during those kinds of events. And to still manage and succeed in light of them, IMO, is noteworthy.

There is plenty of time to think about how to proceed. No need to rush. Good luck!

 

[Sam2018]

In searching this forum, there seems to be two conflicting opinions for these two application questions: (1) Use the questions as an additional opportunity to highlight a part of your experience that may not be illustrated elsewhere or (2) use only to explain why parts of your application may be possibly lacking (supporting family and can't do sports, etc.). DS is debating if he should answer "Yes" (leaning toward "No") and I honestly don't know how to advise.

He's had two events in the last few years that could be included - (1) his very best friend in HS died of cancer (6 weeks after initial diagnosis) and this was during the only period where he had any B's (he says it's not because of his friend's death) and (2) his older brother had a very recalcitrant form of testicular cancer and DW and brother went out of state for 4 months for high dose chemo/stem cell replacement (successful, thank God) and DS had to take over cooking, watching younger brother etc. But DS points out on both counts that these circumstances don't rise to the level of mentioning in his application because they weren't "exceptional", "unique", or "adverse" - in his opinion. He feels he's an average middle-class white kid with all the advantages that goes with that and if you really want to see adversity, look at some of the immigrant kids in his school who really have to fight. I laud that opinion but is he selling himself short? I sometimes get worried during his college application process that he may be humble to a fault. I think it's really hard when you're 17 to look at your young life and see that there may have been exceptional conditions and adversities you have had to deal with. There isn't much context, especially when you feel you are a pretty lucky guy compared to your classmates.

I was thinking the same thing about DS. His dad has had to work out of state for over a year now. He's had to step up and do more around the house and with his younger sibling in addition to school, job, sports, life. He doesn't think it qualifies but now I think it just might. But its a mute point, he's already turned in that part of his application. :/

 

[justdoit19]

He can still bring it up in interviews. It’s a good point, shows leadership and responsibility and maturity.

 

[SAparent2023]

Another question is to talk about my racial/ethnic heritage but I don’t have a significant ethnic background. Honestly, I’m a cliche white male. Should I even try to talk about an ethnic background?

Same for DS here. Any other thoughts on the racial/ethnic heritage question as the application will not process as complete without a response to this question? DS is a white male of Heinz 57 descent but our family has been in America since the 1650's. Not a lot of racial or ethnic heritage on which to comment. He kept skipping the question but it requires a response. He put "American" but not sure that is appropriate.